End of my first dream: Engineering aspirant opens up after IIT Madras setback
A student who failed to secure admission to IIT Madras has gone viral after sharing an emotional Reddit post about the end of a childhood dream. The heartfelt post drew widespread support from users who said one exam does not define a person's future.
For one aspiring engineer, the gates of IIT Madras represented far more than just an entrance to a prestigious institution; they symbolised a dream nurtured since childhood. When that dream slipped away despite years of relentless preparation, the disappointment became overwhelming.
An emotional Reddit post detailing the student's heartbreak has since resonated with thousands online, sparking conversations about ambition, failure, and finding hope beyond one examination.
A CHILDHOOD DREAM THAT BEGAN AT THE GATES OF IIT MADRAS
In a Reddit post titled "Today (29-6-2026), I cried after so many years," the student opened up about the pain of not securing admission to IIT Madras despite years of dedicated effort.
The student explained that the aspiration to study at IIT Madras was deeply personal and was never driven by social media, peer pressure, or coaching culture. The dream began in Class 7 or 8 after asking their father what lay beyond the iconic gates of the institute.
"I realised how much this exam/college meant to me when I shed tears quite literally in front of this gate. Man, I've failed in the first ever thing I wanted with my whole heart," the student wrote.
The student said the dream of studying at IIT Madras was entirely self-driven and not influenced by social media, coaching culture, or external pressure. According to the post, the aspiration first took root in Class 7 or 8 after asking their father what lay beyond the gates of the institute, eventually growing into a deeply personal ambition shaped by their own hopes and expectations.
YEARS OF PREPARATION, BUT THE RESULT NEVER CAME
The student admitted to losing focus during Class 11 but said they worked tirelessly afterward, especially during Class 12 and a drop year, studying for 10 to 12 hours every day in pursuit of the goal.
"I was a bit distracted in 11th, but I literally did whatever I can do in 12th and studied for almost 10 hrs to 12 hrs daily during my drop year. But I now realised, it doesn't matter," the post read.
Although the student eventually secured admission to one of India's top National Institutes of Technology (NITs), the achievement did little to soften the disappointment of missing out on IIT Madras.
AN EMOTIONAL VISIT TO THE CAMPUS
Unable to let go of the dream, the student visited the IIT Madras campus and stood outside its main entrance, where years of preparation came rushing back.
"Every part of my prep & exam flashed in my memory. Man this is hard to explain," the student wrote.
The visit carried another emotional layer. The student revealed they had taken a photograph of the institute's entrance but deliberately chose not to appear in it because of a promise made years earlier.
"I've made a decision in 10th std of not taking pic in front of it unless I become a part of it, now that it's not going to happen so I will not," the student shared.
Reflecting on the experience, the post concluded with a note of acceptance: "So, it's official the end of my first ever dream with a result I never wanted. I guess it's life."
SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERS SUPPORT AND PERSPECTIVE
The heartfelt post quickly struck a chord with Reddit users, many of whom shared their own stories of setbacks, second chances, and success beyond the IIT dream.
One user revealed that they too had once failed to secure admission to an IIT but later earned a seat at IIT Madras through the GATE examination after completing their BTech.
Another encouraged the student to focus on the opportunities ahead, writing that destiny cannot always be controlled, but effort can. The user urged the student to make the most of their years at the NIT instead of dwelling on what could not be changed.
The student's emotional post has become more than just a story about missing admission to a dream college, it has highlighted the immense pressure many aspirants place on a single examination.
While failing to achieve a long-held goal can be deeply painful, the overwhelming response online underscored a broader message: one setback does not define an entire career. For many, the end of one dream often becomes the beginning of an unexpected and equally rewarding journey.
For one aspiring engineer, the gates of IIT Madras represented far more than just an entrance to a prestigious institution; they symbolised a dream nurtured since childhood. When that dream slipped away despite years of relentless preparation, the disappointment became overwhelming.
An emotional Reddit post detailing the student's heartbreak has since resonated with thousands online, sparking conversations about ambition, failure, and finding hope beyond one examination.
A CHILDHOOD DREAM THAT BEGAN AT THE GATES OF IIT MADRAS
In a Reddit post titled "Today (29-6-2026), I cried after so many years," the student opened up about the pain of not securing admission to IIT Madras despite years of dedicated effort.
The student explained that the aspiration to study at IIT Madras was deeply personal and was never driven by social media, peer pressure, or coaching culture. The dream began in Class 7 or 8 after asking their father what lay beyond the iconic gates of the institute.
"I realised how much this exam/college meant to me when I shed tears quite literally in front of this gate. Man, I've failed in the first ever thing I wanted with my whole heart," the student wrote.
The student said the dream of studying at IIT Madras was entirely self-driven and not influenced by social media, coaching culture, or external pressure. According to the post, the aspiration first took root in Class 7 or 8 after asking their father what lay beyond the gates of the institute, eventually growing into a deeply personal ambition shaped by their own hopes and expectations.
YEARS OF PREPARATION, BUT THE RESULT NEVER CAME
The student admitted to losing focus during Class 11 but said they worked tirelessly afterward, especially during Class 12 and a drop year, studying for 10 to 12 hours every day in pursuit of the goal.
"I was a bit distracted in 11th, but I literally did whatever I can do in 12th and studied for almost 10 hrs to 12 hrs daily during my drop year. But I now realised, it doesn't matter," the post read.
Although the student eventually secured admission to one of India's top National Institutes of Technology (NITs), the achievement did little to soften the disappointment of missing out on IIT Madras.
AN EMOTIONAL VISIT TO THE CAMPUS
Unable to let go of the dream, the student visited the IIT Madras campus and stood outside its main entrance, where years of preparation came rushing back.
"Every part of my prep & exam flashed in my memory. Man this is hard to explain," the student wrote.
The visit carried another emotional layer. The student revealed they had taken a photograph of the institute's entrance but deliberately chose not to appear in it because of a promise made years earlier.
"I've made a decision in 10th std of not taking pic in front of it unless I become a part of it, now that it's not going to happen so I will not," the student shared.
Reflecting on the experience, the post concluded with a note of acceptance: "So, it's official the end of my first ever dream with a result I never wanted. I guess it's life."
SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERS SUPPORT AND PERSPECTIVE
The heartfelt post quickly struck a chord with Reddit users, many of whom shared their own stories of setbacks, second chances, and success beyond the IIT dream.
One user revealed that they too had once failed to secure admission to an IIT but later earned a seat at IIT Madras through the GATE examination after completing their BTech.
Another encouraged the student to focus on the opportunities ahead, writing that destiny cannot always be controlled, but effort can. The user urged the student to make the most of their years at the NIT instead of dwelling on what could not be changed.
The student's emotional post has become more than just a story about missing admission to a dream college, it has highlighted the immense pressure many aspirants place on a single examination.
While failing to achieve a long-held goal can be deeply painful, the overwhelming response online underscored a broader message: one setback does not define an entire career. For many, the end of one dream often becomes the beginning of an unexpected and equally rewarding journey.
