ABES Engineering College Campus Experience

Although I am due to receive my degree, I am officially an alumnus after having completed the 4-year B.Tech course from ABES Engineering College in Information Technology. The college is affiliated with AKTU (Abdul Kalam Technical University) and is well known for its placement record. Students from all over India move to Delhi, NCR to pursue graduation from ABES Engineering College. The college also provides a specialization in business studies. In this article, I will share my experience of the 4 years I spent here. I will go over all the aspects like academics, faculty, co-curricular, fests, and placements.

First Year

In the first year, the environment was much like that of a school because the college was quite strict with us in terms of attendance, exam scores, and bunking. The faculty for computer, English, and maths were quite skilled in their field but the same was not true for the chemistry teacher which made us suffer a lot in exams. We were expected to maintain 75% attendance in each semester and reach for the classes at 8:50 dot. Failing to meet the attendance criteria leads to detention from the sessional which further affects the internal marks. By 4:30 in the evening, we were totally drained especially because we were actually made to study in all the lectures and it was no pass time. After the classes, the day scholars used to go home quickly while the hostlers used to wander around until 6 because getting out of the hostel again was not easy. On top of this, we had assignments to do every day and hardly found time for self-studying or coding. Some kids chose to be rebels and did not do as asked and gave more time to coding and stuff. (A good decision if you can pull off a pass on the basis of externals even when marks in internals are quite less). If one pays attention in class and thoroughly revises, passing externals with good marks is pretty easy. A 3-day fest also happened this year where famous bollywood singers and DJs came. The event also consisted of plays, theatre performances and dances.

All in all, although there were restrictions, it was a completely new and wonderful experience that one will remember lifetime. A sweet first year you won’t dislike.

Second Year

Only a little part of the year included us going to the college for classes and labs, and soon we were stuck at home due to covid. The classes were moved online and the subjects this time were quite difficult – maths 4 and electrical especially. Since the exams were cancelled, we also got the chance to appear for university exams in online mode, which rarely happens. There is not much to recall of the second year because it was completely online, and into the 4th semester, this became a problem since we had more important subjects like web development, data structures and operating systems. The relief that we got from not having to go to the college did not last long since sitting in front of the laptops all day long for online classes was not an easy task. Initially, we had assignments in hand-written form which we scanned and uploaded but later on we were given quizzes in the sessional and assignments. Obviously no fests this year and the learning environment was also not as good as the classroom but still very interactive. Also, the various clubs like the creative club and the literary club hosted online events where we participated in groups as well as alone and the winners got vouchers and Instagram shout outs.

Third Year

In the third year, we again started going to the college and placement pressure was also looming in. Thus, classes for placements were separately organized by the CCPD department that aimed at aptitude, reasoning, verbal ability and interview preparation. By the end of the term, each one of us had given a mock interview and received a feedback on it. Weekly coding sessions were also organized not only during the college hours by the faculty but also on weekends by alumni. The IT department was most supportive to provide students with facilities to work on coding and interview preparation. All in all, there were no fests or activities as such and the year was all about coding and interview preparation. The placements started happening in the beginning of the third year itself and many students even bagged a package of 12 Lakhs in the 5th semester itself. Eventually, by October, I was also placed and by the end of the year, most of the students were not only placed but many of them has also joined.

Fourth Year

Most students were working at this time and we were thus, not required to go to the college for physical classes. But still online classes were happening as usual and the interested students were attending them. For the sessional, we were not called in the college and they too were taken as quiz in online form like assignments. The subjects also were not hard this year and the university exams went well. Although, it became a bit tedious for some students to deal with both the exams and work at the same time. A 3 day fest also took place this year, just like the one held in the first year but it was mostly attended by the juniors since we were away for work. This year was not like the usual go to college year and a very great experience for those who started earning and working.

Placements

ABES EC is known for a good placement record but things were a bit different this time due to recession. As previously mentioned, special classes for placements were scheduled all through the third year and companies also started visiting the company in the 3rd year itself. Almost all students got at least one offer letter by the end of the fourth year. However, some of them are still waiting for the joining and for some, the offer letters are being revoked. Had recession not been there, then everyone would have had an average package of 6LPA by now. Various companies visited the college like Amazon, Capegemini, TCS, Wipro and Koenig Solutions. There is turmoil when it comes to those who are still not earning, but it all comes down to the current situation about which no one can do much. The official records are not out yet, but amid recession as well, the college did really well in terms of placements.

Summary

All colleges and universities have their own downsides. What matters in the end is the effort you put in on your end as an individual. No matter which college you go to, make sure to take the responsibility of preparing for placements and focusing on your skills. Do not wait to start this in the third year, it creates a lot of pressure. Start in the first year itself. Learn to code, learn to make projects, learn in-demand skills and you must be fine by the end of the college. Also, I have seen kids in my college who did not get a placement for an entire year after the end of college and now they are working in companies like snapchat and amazon. So grabbing a placement early should not bother you, it will surely happen at the right time. All along, work on your speaking skills, and have a hobby. Read books and grow your intellect because once these 4 years pass away, you might feel like you wasted them and everything you should have done at that time has been piled up. All the best to anyone who is reading this.