I'm 18M from Delhi, India, and I'm feeling quite lost about my future. I'd really appreciate advice from people who have faced similar situations or made major career decisions.
My background:
- I completed Class 12 in 2025.
- I took a drop year to prepare for JEE Main, but my rank was around 8 lakh because I prepared some chapters and left most of the syllabus.
- I'm currently enrolled in the first year of B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at HMR Institute of Technology and Management. My first year runs from 2026 to 2027.
Why I'm dissatisfied:
Honestly, I'm disappointed with where I ended up after taking a drop year. I feel like I had the opportunity to do better, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
My main problem with my current college is the environment. The infrastructure is small, there are very few sports facilities, I don't find the peer group inspiring, and I'm disappointed with the teaching quality. The overall experience feels more like school than college. I'm worried about spending four years somewhere I don't feel I'll grow much.
What I'm considering:
I'm thinking about taking a partial drop while continuing my current B.Tech and preparing for JEE Main January 2027. My target is DTU Mechanical Engineering.
There are two reasons for this:
- I want a better college environment, better opportunities, and a more satisfying college experience.
- I've admired aeronautical engineering since childhood. I understand that Mechanical Engineering can provide a foundation for eventually pursuing aerospace-related studies or work.
I'm not opposed to Mechanical Engineering. During IPU counselling, I actually placed Mechanical Engineering at Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology above AI/ML in my preferences. I also believe that, regardless of my core branch, I can develop additional skills through self-study, including AI/ML.
My biggest concern is feasibility.
I would be starting serious preparation again from a weak foundation, with only a few months before the January 2027 attempt. I can realistically study around 3.5–4 hours daily alongside college.
My family can manage the financial implications of switching colleges, so money isn't the main obstacle. The main concerns are whether I can improve enough in the available time, whether the opportunity is worth the risk, and whether I'm making a rational decision or simply trying to escape my current situation.
What I'd like advice on:
- Given my previous rank and weak preparation, is aiming for DTU Mechanical in JEE Main January 2027 realistic, particularly as a Delhi-region OBC-NCL candidate? What kind of improvement would I need?
- Is a partial drop with 3.5–4 hours of daily preparation a sensible strategy, or would I be better off focusing on my current degree?
- Is DTU Mechanical a reasonable route toward aerospace or aeronautical engineering, considering future master's programs and career opportunities?
- How should I weigh the benefits of a better college environment against the risk of distracting myself from my current B.Tech?
- If you've been in a similar situation, how did you decide whether to try again or make the best of the college you already had?
I'm not looking for someone to tell me that everything will work out. I'd prefer honest, practical advice, even if it means hearing that my plan isn't worth pursuing.
I want to make a decision I can respect a few years from now, rather than spend the next four years regretting either choice.