My GATE Journey — The One Story I Wish Every Junior Could Hear
This is the raw, unfiltered story of how a normal, confused student discovered discipline, clarity, and confidence — and eventually became an
This is not a story about marks.
Not about rank.
Not about “success.”
This is a story about a boy who had no idea where life was taking him…
until one exam, one decision, one journey changed everything.
If you’re my junior, imagine I’m sitting next to you —
speaking honestly, without filters, without ego.
Because seniors rarely tell the truth.
But I will.
🌱 How It Really Started
When I entered college, I didn’t even know what GATE truly meant.
But I knew one thing:
I loved solving problems.
That curiosity pushed me into Competitive Programming (CP) in my first year.
No pressure.
No guidance.
Just pure love for logic.
In second year, life was noisy — fests, clubs, internships, everyone figuring out their future.
Somewhere in that noise, one thought whispered:
“Why not try GATE?”
So I decided…
CP + GATE. Side by side.
Without knowing this decision would shape my entire life.
⚡ The Combo No One Talks About: CP + GATE
People keep comparing CP and GATE as if they’re enemies.
For me?
They were my strongest teammates.
CP → made C, DSA, and Algorithms feel effortless.
GATE → gave deep theory, discipline, clarity.
CP taught speed.
GATE taught stability.
Without CP, concepts felt incomplete.
Without GATE, depth felt missing.
Together? Magic.
🧠 Let Me Be Completely Honest
I wasn’t a born genius.
I wasn’t school topper.
I wasn’t someone who “gets everything in one shot.”
I had weaknesses:
– I forgot theory fast
– COA felt alien
– TOC scared me
– Aptitude confused me
– I got distracted easily
– Long study hours drained me
But I had one superpower:
I didn’t pretend to be smart.
I accepted my weaknesses.
And I worked on them — slowly, consistently, honestly.
That humility… saved me.
📚 How I Actually Studied (Real Version, Not Instagram Version)
No 12-hour study days.
No overnight heroics.
Just a simple loop:
- 1 hour concepts
• 30–40 mins revision
• 1 hour PYQs
• Break
• Repeat
Small sessions.
High retention.
No burnout.
And revision?
Unbelievable amounts of revision.
I revised till:
– COA pipelines felt predictable
– TOC automata felt intuitive
– DBMS schedules felt natural
Mocks were my brutal mirror.
Not to prove I’m good.
But to understand why I wasn’t.
And slowly — mistakes fell, confidence rose.
🌙 My Life Looked Very Different During Preparation
While others chilled at night,
I coded.
While people went for dinner,
I solved PYQs.
While friends slept,
I watched revision lectures.
While relatives visited,
I revised COA.
Not because I wanted to be special.
Because I believed…
“One day, all of this will pay off.”
🧘♂️ Exam Day — The Moment That Changed My Mindset
Outside the center, I saw two kinds of people:
1️⃣ Those acting overly confident
2️⃣ Those secretly shivering inside
A few minutes before the exam, the same “toppers” stood outside with shaky hands, flipping last-minute notes in panic.
And it hit me:
If fear enters the exam hall before you do… you’ve already lost.
I stayed calm.
I told myself:
Some questions will shock me.
Some will drain me.
Some will test me.
But I know how to think.
How to break a problem.
How to stay composed.
That mindset changed the whole exam.
🎯 Inside the Exam Hall
I didn’t chase marks.
I didn’t race.
I solved one question at a time.
Skipped ruthlessly.
Came back calmly.
CP brain + GATE discipline = pure stability.
When I hit Submit, I genuinely had no idea of my result.
But I had peace.
Because I gave everything I had.
And that was enough.
📅 Result Day — Everything Shifted
Messages poured in.
Teachers appreciated.
Friends celebrated.
Family was emotional.
But something else felt even bigger.
🌟 The PW Felicitation Event — A Moment I’ll Never Forget
This… felt unreal.
I met the legends I studied from.
The teachers who shaped millions of lives.
Then…
I met Alakh Sir.
My role model.
My inspiration.
A man whose presence alone carries impact.
Talking to him…
shaking hands…
felt like a lifetime moment.
Then I met Viswadeep Sir.
The COA & OS king.
The energy he carries is fire.
Standing beside him felt like standing next to a superhero.
Those moments weren’t rewards.
They were reminders of what hard work creates.
💫 How My Life Changed After That
Not because of rank.
But because of the transformation inside me.
My confidence grew.
My mindset matured.
Opportunities opened.
People noticed.
Students reached out.
Purpose became clearer.
I wasn’t just preparing for an exam anymore.
I was preparing for life.
💛 If You’re My Junior, Read This Twice
Start early.
Don’t run from tough subjects.
CP + GATE is powerful.
Don’t get fooled by loud confidence.
Revision is everything.
Mocks teach you more than teachers.
Consistency beats talent.
Believe in yourself.
Especially when no one else does.
If someone like me —
a normal guy with normal abilities —
can reach here,
you can go even further.
Your journey is waiting. Start writing it today.
BY:-Chirag Agrawal(Gate Cse Air 33)