Chapter 4: A Slow Burn in Bangalore (2008-2011) M.Tech. at my dream college was a breath of fresh air after the stifling environment of my B.Tech. years. Freedom reigned; learning was valued over grades, attendance wasn't mandatory, and the library was accessible at all hours. I reveled in it all, participating in everything from theater to badminton and never missing a single class. The most fulfilling part, however, was conducting lab sessions. I took joy in helping students think about the subject, valuing their approach over rote memorization. Their positive feedback, from both students and professors, was a sweet reward.