It’s been 2 years since I left SRM but I guess, I can answer this one:
- ID card is a MUST. They won’t allow you inside the classrooms without it.
- Pls enter the exam hall before the final warning bell. Or else the department HOD and other professors are gonna give you a chase of your life your ID card. The answer script will be given later to you than others (They also charge a fine of 100 bucks to get that piece of shit card back,atleast in the biotechnology dept not kidding )
- If you don’t take notes properly in class, puleese befriend the “nerdy note-taker”( every class will have one). Take a photocopy well beforehand so that you don’t get caught in the “last-day-before-exam-rush”.
- Take the PD class seriously when they teach Aptitude( it’s really helpful during placements) and if you ain’t from computer science, please learn coding(C/ C++/ Java) from 3rd year itself.
- Follow the proper dress code or else you will attract lots of fine and might be marked absent in class( this has happened to me)
- Try to maintain your attendance above 75% and don’t bunk the lab hours. It’s tougher to cope up with lab work later on. Be on the good books of a few profs to get into the final year projects within college labs in time.
- Take your internships seriously as you might learn more in these internships than in actual labs back in college. Try to publish papers as well if you want to stick for MS or PhD later on.
- Try to participate in Aarush and Milan instead of going back home for a holiday. Those are the only few good days you will remember after you graduate from here 😛
- Seniors are a big help. Take books and notes from them beforehand. In case you have any subject which only has slides, you can take it beforehand from someone as those old slides are seldom modified. The worst thing about biotech department was that they would give the syllabus at the last moment, in those cases studying beforehand helps.
- Do open an account in CUB( if it’s still in there) just for the sake of emergency or in case your ATM card isn’t working so that you can withdraw money manually without borrowing from others.
- Xerox shops and food shops are growing like mushrooms in Potheri. Explore the back gate well and negotiate the rates as well 😉
- Take your warden’s permission if you have to stay back for longer hours outside hostel and always use the shuttle service to reach main campus after dusk.
- Memorize your diagrams well. Diagrams carry a lot of marks and will help you score more points.
- There are many active clubs within the campus premises. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.
- Most importantly, enjoy your independence and make conscious decisions.