How was your experience in AIIMS Nagpur so far?

With the counseling season just around the corner, it seems like a good time to share my experience. I'm currently a first-year student at AIIMS, Nagpur. My first visit to the campus was on December 8, 2020. Even though there was ongoing construction on the IPD side, the OPD area really impressed me. We waited outside the admin office, and the place had centralized AC, shiny floors, and impressive buildings, making you forget it's a new institution.

As one of my seniors mentioned, these central institutions only improve over time, and I've witnessed that firsthand in the months I've been here. While many state colleges started online classes in January, our college kicked off with offline classes on December 14, 2020. We had an induction ceremony at the OPD, and then we received our admission letters. Classes began in earnest, and soon enough it was December 31st, with New Year celebrations, which were a big deal due to Covid restrictions. It was a blast.

The city is just a 20-minute ride from campus, and there are plenty of transport options like cabs, the metro (Khapri station is 4.5 km away), city buses, and autos, so getting around has never been an issue for me. The boys' hostel has 13 floors, and the girls' hostel has 6 floors, each with two elevators. We got Wi-Fi and washing machines a few months after joining. The curfew is at 11 PM, and we're allowed to have coolers, induction stoves, and small fridges, but not ACs.

The food in the mess is manageable; coming from the east, I sometimes find it spicy, but it's generally okay. We've celebrated New Year, Onam, and Ganesh Chaturthi. This month, we had our first college week called HALLUCIA, packed with cultural and sports events, followed by Foundation Day. There are also workshops, essay and poster competitions, and intercollege contests. We have an excellent library too.

I sometimes play badminton or table tennis, and there are foosball tables as well. I'm mostly a spectator for volleyball and basketball. There's a plan for a cricket and football ground. One of the best parts is that the college is free from ragging. I haven't heard of any serious cases, and my interactions with seniors have been pleasant and helpful.

Academics are a priority here, and classes are rarely canceled, which can be a bit tiring. The labs are well-equipped, and the professors are supportive. The limited holidays (mainly due to session delays from Covid) and the uniform might be downsides, but I've gotten used to the uniform.

The patient load keeps growing, and sometimes it's hard to see a doctor because of the crowd. The climate is another thing to note; having lived in a coastal town for a decade, I find the summers and winters extreme, but folks from the north seem fine, and the weather is nice for most of the year. These have been my experiences so far, and there's still a lot to come. If you have more questions, feel free to ask!

I joined AIIMS Nagpur in 2020, which makes me part of the third batch here. Here's what I think about it:

1. Academics: The academic environment is pretty solid. The Physiology and Anatomy Departments are top-notch, focusing on clinical learning. Our Anatomy HOD, Dr. A.M. Tarnekar, is known for teaching in a way that makes anatomy easy to grasp, and all the teachers are supportive and patient (even though I'm always in the front row, I'm not exactly the studious type). The lectures keep us engaged, and we regularly have tutorials and presentations. As for Biochemistry, let's just say the department isn't exactly exciting, but not everything can be perfect, right?

2. Hostel and Mess: The hostel could easily be mistaken for a hotel because of its fantastic infrastructure. Everything is well-kept, and the staff is nice and accommodating. Each floor has a washing machine, and there are elevators in the 12-floor building (6 floors dedicated to girls). Plus, there's wifi! Now, about the rooms: they are shared by two people, which might not be ideal for everyone (no offense to my roommate). Rumor has it that seniors might get single rooms this year, and we might have that chance next year. The mess food is tasty and clean, and the mess committee listens to student requests. It's a treat, especially for those who have survived on Kota's mess food for two years.

3. Extracurriculars/Sports: Students can enjoy facilities like an indoor badminton court, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, futsal, chess, and carrom. I even spotted a snooker table in the sports complex, but I haven't seen anyone play there yet. Our sports and cultural event, Hallucia, in September, was the highlight.

4. College Culture: We celebrate all major festivals, but we crave more parties to break the daily routine. Thanks to COVID, there hasn't been a college fest yet. The campus is free of ragging, and our seniors are super helpful. We plan to keep that spirit alive. Students here come from all over India, so you'll find a wide range of personalities, from bookworms to those who are just winging it.

5. Size: The campus spans 150 acres, which is great, though it's a bit far from the city center. But don't worry, transportation is easy to find.

6. Patients: There's always a steady stream of patients, so you'll never run out of cases to study.

7. Fees: The total cost for 5 years, including tuition and hostel fees, is ?5,800, plus ?35,000 annually for the mess.

I've tried to cover both the good and the not-so-good so you can decide wisely. We just finished our first-year exams and are excited to move on to the second year and start clinical postings. Feel free to ask if you have more questions, or you can message me on Instagram (Ig ID: anshmalik12).

Thanks for asking.

Let me share some great experiences first:

New Year's Eve: The first and only party we had since arriving three months ago was the New Year 2021 celebration. It was a blast, especially the DJ night, with a bonfire and a stand-up act by one of our seniors. Our seniors deserve all the credit for throwing such a fun party. I doubt my batchmates could have pulled it off, haha.????

Birthday celebrations: I recently turned 19, and my friends celebrated my birthday in the med school hostel. It was truly wonderful. My friends surprised me with a midnight celebration! Here's a sneak peek.

PS: After a gentle cake cutting, I got covered in cake... Friends' rules, no mercy! ????

Weekend outings: Checking out cafes in the new town is pretty fun. I just have to convince my only close friend here to join, which I'm quite good at. ????

We recently found a great Italian restaurant. But, with Nagpur under lockdown, we can't go out, which is a bummer.

These are just some of the moments that stood out to me, so I thought I'd share them. They were unique events that don't happen all the time.

Now, let me give you a peek into everyday life here.

Reality check: This institute is heavily centered on academics, with education being the top priority. I've been here for three months, and the New Year's Eve party was the only significant social event. Other than that, it's mostly a 9 to 5 routine that's pretty mundane and busy.

Not many holidays or big celebrations, unfortunately. Each day is mostly about managing our schedules...