I used to always have a huge advantage in school. I feel I was genetically gifted in that sense cuz I was able to remember and grasp concepts with ease. Used to always top and I did so till 12th. I answered BITSAT and JEE with decent of preparation and got a great rank. In fact I was the second highest rank in my JEE coaching class. I got a good branch at an old IIT and I was at the top of the world (or so I thought).

Thats when things changed and realised how much smarter everyone is. I got 3 backlogs in my first sem itself. And my ranking in class was in the bottom 10. I was devastated.

That was 7 years ago. Then placements happened. I got a decent job for a fresher (everyone did really). But then you see the salary difference of 50 lakhs between the top 5 percent and the bottom 50 and you realise your entire lifes advantage does not mean shit. When you have gone by your entire life without working extra hard, you end up getting extra screwed when surrounded by people leagues above your level. And now that I have worked for 2 years I can already see many of my peers doing much better in terms of salary. Some have even got into good business schools abroad, run successful startup’s and early bonuses which are bigger than my entire salary.

What's my goal with this post? I don't know. Maybe it's just to humble any of you who think that you are the GOAT cuz you did well in state boards. Stay humble kids. There's always someone better than you. Don't think so? Get into a good college and find out the hard way like me.