Student
Story

2024 was a rollercoaster of late-night coding marathons, frantic debugging Node.js backends, and way too many hours of yelling at my screen during Valorant matches. As a 2nd-year computer science student at BML Munjal University, I spent the year balancing machine learning models, relentless deadlines, and the occasional clutch round in Icebox. It was messy, funny, and oddly fulfilling.
The year started with me taking on LeetCode as a sport. Every solved problem felt like leveling up in a game, with every “Accepted” flashing on my screen giving me that endorphin rush. I worked my way through 300+ problems, each one adding a new tool to my growing arsenal of skills in data structures and algorithms.
Web development became a huge part of my life, with projects integrating React, Next.js, Node.js, and MongoDB. From battling with stubborn JavaScript bugs to creating responsive Next.js pages, I spent countless hours building full-stack applications that taught me more than any tutorial could. Thanks to BMU’s emphasis on practical learning, I wasn’t just building projects—I was learning how to think on my feet and solve real-world problems.
2024 wasn’t just about coding and gaming—it was a constant juggling act between studies, college commitments, and personal growth. Between preparing for exams, attending club meetings, and squeezing in gym sessions, there were days when 24 hours didn’t seem enough. Balancing responsibilities from my role in college clubs and academics showed me how to manage time effectively and prioritize what truly matters.
Midway through the year, I took up an opportunity to tutor 7th-grade students in Singapore, rediscovering subjects I had left behind long ago. Explaining concepts like fractions, basic geometry, and photosynthesis reminded me of the joy of rediscovery. It wasn’t just about teaching but about re-learning with a fresh perspective. Watching the students grasp these ideas, especially through creative analogies, was like solving a puzzle together, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my year.

Outside the glow of my monitor, 2024 was also a year of leadership and community. As the social media lead for NSS, I learned that managing people is like Valorant—you strategize and coordinate with your team members. Organizing mental health drives, school eye checkups, and road safety campaigns showed me the impact of collective effort.
This year taught me that growth isn’t always glamorous. It’s staying up until 3 a.m. trying to figure out why my MongoDB query isn’t returning the right results. It’s celebrating small wins, like finally deploying a Next.js app or understanding the nuances of backpropagation in neural networks. BMU’s collaborative environment reminded me that the best ideas often come from group discussions (and especially snacks).
As 2025 begins, I’m ready to take things up a notch. My summer internship is just around the corner, and I can’t wait to put my skills to the test in the real world. AI and machine learning are calling my name, and I’m ready to dive deeper into neural networks and explore how to use these tools to solve meaningful problems.
2024 taught me to laugh at my mistakes, celebrate the small wins, and keep moving forward. As Rumi said, “Try not to resist the changes. How do you know the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”
So, here’s to embracing the unknown, finding balance, and making 2025 another year of growth.