The Pehli Peedi Fellowship presents the first in a series of stories highlighting the experiences of first-generation students across India.
Akshat Agarwal, a 22-year-old first-year student at IIT Kharagpur, hails from Darjeeling. Raised by parents who valued education despite limited means, Akshat speaks candidly about the financial and emotional weight of fulfilling expectations, the sacrifices his family made, and the pressure to succeed.
“I felt like if I didn’t succeed, I would be letting everyone down. The mental pressure was intense, and there were times when I wondered if my education was more of a burden than a blessing. My parents’ investment in my education was always on my mind, and it made me feel responsible for their hopes and dreams.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Riya Mishra.
Riya: Please tell us a little about yourself.
Akshat: I come from Darjeeling. It was a pretty normal childhood, but in the best way possible. I went to a private school in Darjeeling. My parents really wanted me to have a good education, so they did everything they could to send me there.
Riya: Was education something people in your family talked about often?
Akshat: Absolutely, yes. My parents and everyone around me really encouraged me to aim for higher education. My father had only studied up to the tenth grade and now runs a small shop in town, and my mother never went to school. Even though they didn’t have the chance to study further, they believed that studying hard and getting a good education was the best way to build a better future.
Riya: Was it always known that you would go to college?
Akshat: It wasn’t always obvious to me that I would go to college, but things changed when I topped my class in sixth grade. Suddenly, everyone around me— teachers, family, and neighbors— started telling me how important it was for me to go to college. Their encouragement and expectations made me feel special, but also put a lot of pressure on me. Honestly, it was their belief in me that inspired me to aim for higher education, not just my own desire at first.
Riya: Were there any hurdles that you had to overcome to go to college?
Akshat: There were so many hurdles, and most of them came from the expectations people had for me. My parents worked really hard to send me to Kota for JEE coaching, and I knew how much they were sacrificing. The cost was enormous including coaching fees, living expenses, and study materials. All of it added up. My parents even had to take a loan to cover everything. That financial pressure was always on my mind, and it made it hard to focus sometimes. I felt like if I didn’t succeed, I would be letting everyone down. The mental pressure was intense, and there were times when I wondered if my education was more of a burden than a blessing. My parents’ investment in my education was always on my mind, and it made me feel responsible for their hopes and dreams.
When the pandemic hit, classes went online, and that actually brought some relief because my parents didn’t have to pay for hostel fees anymore. In the end, when I got into IIT Kharagpur, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was proud, but also relieved that I had lived up to everyone’s expectations and justified their sacrifices.
Riya: How are you financing your education?
Akshat: For the first two years, my family supported my education as much as they could. My parents worked hard to cover my fees and living expenses, but after that, it became too difficult for them to manage everything. So, we had to take out a loan to help with the costs. It’s a big responsibility, and sometimes I worry about repaying it.
Riya: Tell us about your college experience.
Akshat: I feel really good about being here. There are so many opportunities, and I’m surrounded by people who are passionate and want to do something meaningful with their lives. But I also see the challenges that students from my background face. Many of us are first-generation college students and sometimes, it feels like we have to work even harder to make sure we get the most out of our education and justify the sacrifices our families have made for us.
Riya: What do you wish your professors, peers, or university leaders understood better about students like you?
Akshat: I wish professors, peers, and university leaders understood that first-generation students often face unique challenges, both financially and emotionally. Many people do not look at first-generation students with enough empathy, and there is a lack of support in both financial and emotional aspects. This can take a toll on our mental health, especially since our families may not fully understand what we are going through, simply because they have not been to college themselves. A little more understanding and support from the university community would make a big difference for students like me.
Riya: What have you discovered about yourself during this journey?
Akshat: I’ve realized that I am much stronger and more capable than I ever thought. Going through the intense preparation for IIT and then surviving among some of the most intelligent people in the country has shown me that I can handle challenges I never imagined possible. I am still growing every day, and this journey has made me believe that I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it. I’ve discovered how resilient and adaptable I truly am.
Riya: What is the one thing you think first-generation students need to succeed?
Akshat: First-generation students need belief. In themselves and from others. They need to know that they belong and that their voices matter. Support from the community and a growth mindset are essential for success.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from first-generation students across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.
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