Daily Routine at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and My Personal Experience

Although I am not a part of the IISc community now, I can share the typical daily routine of a student or researcher at this prominent institution. Additionally, I will also describe the routine I followed during my BS-MS course, drawing from five years of rich experiences at this renowned academic institution.

Typical Daily Routine at IISc

Morning:

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up and have breakfast, often in the campus mess or a nearby café. 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Attend morning lectures or seminars based on the schedule.

Mid-Morning:

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Engage in research work or attend classes. Research students might spend time in labs or libraries.

Lunch:

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch break often involves socializing with peers or discussing projects.

Afternoon:

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Continue with lectures, tutorials, or research activities. This may include meetings with faculty supervisors or group discussions.

Evening:

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Participate in extracurricular activities such as sports clubs or study groups. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner often in a communal setting. 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Study or work on assignments and research projects. 10:00 PM onward: Relaxation, socializing, or preparing for the next day.

This routine can vary significantly based on individual schedules, research commitments, and personal preferences.

My Routine During My BS-MS Course

During my BS-MS course from 2012 to 2017, the routine was less structured compared to the current daily routine at IISc. Here is how I divided it into broad parts:

First-Third Semesters: No Major Decided Common Courses

Classes: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, with a half-hour break from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Lunch: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Labs: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, sometimes till 6:00 PM. Coursework and experiments might continue beyond the designated time. Evenings: Study, check Facebook, YouTube, emails, and engage in hobbies.

Third Semester: Reduced Labs

Lessons: Similar to the first three semesters, but with a reduced number of labs. Free Afternoon: One more free afternoon in the semester.

Fourth-Sixth Semesters: Specialized Courses and Major Determination

Classes: More specific to UG curriculum, with lab timings based on student preferences and course management. Evenings: Classes might be in the evening following a lab session, making it quite hectic. Afterschool Activities: Study, socialize, and use digital platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and emails. Extracurricular: Similar activities continued in the 5th and 6th semesters.

Seventh-Tenth Semesters: Project Work and Thesis Projects

Thesis Projects: Focus shifted towards thesis projects. BS Project: Conducted BS project at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) twice a week. MS Project: Worked on a project at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) with a fixed routine, attending morning classes, spending afternoons in the lab, and working till 9-10 PM. Free Time: Fridays allowed staying late to work in the lab, and weekends provided breaks for catching up on tasks or leisure activities.

One consistent element throughout my years was the frequent movie nights with friends, witnessing early releases on Wednesday evenings at PVR Orion. This period from 2012 to 2017 was a mixed experience, filled with both good and bad times, relaxed moments, and stressful phases. I truly miss those years.