You cracked CAT. You made it to an IIM.
But no one warned you that this would be more Kota Factory meets Student of the Year than just lectures and laptops.
We spoke to FundaMakers alumni from IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Indore. Here’s your all-access pass into the wild, overwhelming, and oddly romantic rollercoaster that is the first month at an IIM.
1. The Culture Shock Hits Like a Breakup Text at 2 AM
You thought the hard part was over? Welcome to the real hustle.
- Everyone here is the “topper” of somewhere. So are you still special? Debatable.
- You’ll doubt your skills daily… but so will everyone else (they just hide it better).
- Group discussions feel like courtroom battles. One second you’re nodding, the next: gaslight, gatekeep, groupmate.
The biggest surprise? Not the pressure, but the pace of social survival,
– Rohit Raj, IIM A
2. Academics = The Hunger Games (but With Excel Sheets)
- No buffer zone. Day 1: Case studies. Day 2: Quiz. Day 3: Cry.
- Every deadline overlaps with another. Sleep is a distant memory.
- Professors are sharp, ruthless, and occasionally meme-worthy.
Pro tip: Keep a toothbrush in your bag, you’ll barely make it to your room.
3. Friendships, Flings & Forever Roommates
In a place this intense, emotions don’t trickle in, they crash.
- Friendships form faster than swipes on Tinder.
- “Library bae” is a real thing—romance blossoms between finance classes and food court queues.
- Crushes evolve into confessions over chai. Or fade over one badly handled group project.
- Fights? Plenty. Makeups? Mostly. Gossip? Unlimited.
It’s the best time to fall in love… and the worst time to fall apart,
– Abhishek from IIM Indore
4. Hostel = Reality Show With Assignments
Think Bigg Boss, but with PPT deadlines.
- Wing cricket, hallway dance-offs, shared heartbreaks over marks.
- You know who’s dating whom. You know who cried after the marketing viva.
- There’s always one room that smells like coffee and panic.
At IIM A, traditions like “Thal nights” or secret wing rituals will stay with you for life.
At IIM I, it’s hilltop sunsets, chai sessions, and hostel-wide jam nights.
5. From CAT Aspirant to Campus Main Character
It hits differently when you stop chasing scores and start building identity.
- You’re not just trying to clear things anymore. You’re trying to own them.
- You feel imposter syndrome… and push through anyway.
- You realize: Everyone is winging it.
The best part isn’t topping quizzes. It’s becoming someone who doesn’t panic when you don’t,
– Karan Gupta
Still Preparing for CAT? Here’s What You’re Not Being Told
CAT is tough: but life after CAT is intense, romantic, chaotic, and 100% worth it.
Want to be inside this story, not just reading it?
Join FundaMakers for:
- Personalized prep
- Mock tests & strategy sessions
- Post-CAT mentorship & interview prep
Closing Credits: This Isn’t a Dream, It’s the Plot Twist You Earned
Your first month at IIM won’t just challenge your mind, it’ll rewrite your story.
You’ll fail fast, learn faster, and maybe… fall in love in between.
There’s drama. There’s growth. There’s you, version 2.0.
Roll credits? Nope. The movie’s just begun.
