How to be me - Learn, Build, and Crush it

Hey, if you are reading this blog, I'm pretty sure I shared this in your DM, you saw it on LinkedIn, or I just dropped it on X.

Whatever the case is, it's important that you take a pen and paper or any note-taking app so that it will be easy for you to note down things or just points you learned. This isn't just a story; it's a blueprint.

Lets start with this quote—always remember:

If it was easy, anyone could have done it. ~ Sumit

(The quote is originally by John Hawkins but slightly modified by me to reflect the grind)

I’m not quite sure where to begin, so let’s start at the very beginning. From my earliest days, I’ve always been in a rush to grow, learn, and compete.

PHASE 1 - Love Relationship with Mathematics & Early Wins

I started my academic journey at a very young age. By the age of 2, I was already learning basic Hindi and mathematics at home, which helped me build a strong foundation early on.

By 3rd grade, my interest in mathematics had grown significantly, and I joined a coaching program focused on higher-level problem solving. Recognizing my potential, the teacher began teaching me 5th-grade mathematics while I was still in 3rd grade.

The coaching conducted a competitive test series where students were rewarded for speed and accuracy. Within a month, I won my first prize, competing against students older than me. That early exposure to competition shaped my mindset and strengthened my confidence in taking on challenges beyond my age group.

By the time I reached 9th class, I had:

Won more than 50 prizes.
Filled tons of copies with 100% marks.
Sharpened my ability to solve complex math problems in my head.

In school, I was scoring 95% or above with almost no effort. I finished homework in school so I could be free at home. My family would say:

"beta kuch padh lo, marks hi sab nhi hota"

They were right, but the discipline of math was building a logical engine in my brain that would later power my coding career.

PHASE 2 - UGLY REALITY: The Leap of Faith

A New Beginning After 9th Grade

After 9th grade, I changed my school, which became one of my first real challenges. Entering a new environment meant starting from scratch—new teachers, new classmates, and new expectations.

Initially, I kept to myself, sat quietly, and observed more than I spoke. It wasn’t easy adjusting, but I treated the transition as an opportunity to grow rather than a setback.

With time, consistency, and self-effort, I became more confident in communicating, participating in class, and taking ownership of my learning. That experience taught me how to adapt quickly and stay resilient in unfamiliar situations—skills that continue to shape the way I approach challenges today.

Then the Maths lecture came. To my surprise, I was UNDERSTANDING everything. Math is a universal language. I realized, "Wow, maybe I can do it."

Early on, it was boards time. I scored 82% in 10th and 84% in 12th, with a staggering 95% in Mathematics. But then, the real test came: JEE Mains.

I got a 92 percentile in JEE. It wasn't enough for the top IITs. I was heartbroken, but I didn't stop. I also gave the IERT examination and secured AIR 5, and the Polytechnic exam where I got AIR 200. Even though JEE didn't go as planned, I chose a college and decided to become the best version of myself there.

PHASE 3 - The Coding Odyssey: 1800+ CP Questions

I realized that being a software engineer wasn't about the college name; it was about the skill. I started with Java and DSA, following the classic advice, but I found my true passion in Problem Solving.

I didn't just solve problems; I obsessed over them.

1800+ Competitive Programming questions solved.
1950+ LeetCode Rating.
1850+ CodeChef Rating.

I spent 16 hours a day between college, client work, and my own learning. While others were partying, I was building my logic. I learned that in the world of code, Consistency beats Intensity.

PHASE 4 - Internships, Mentorship & The 1% Club

I didn't wait for a degree to start working. I completed 3 Paid Internships during college. I worked as a Founding Engineer for multiple startups, handling everything from backend architecture to AI integration.

I wasn't just building; I was leading.

Campus Ambassador of GFG: Directly talked with the founders.
Google Gemini & Open Source: Top 10k contributor in Hacktoberfest and a major contributor in GSSoC.
Mentorship: I have mentored 300+ students through Social Summer of Code and other platforms.

I joined Topmate and quickly climbed to the Top 1%. I’ve attended 100+ meetings, helping students navigate the same "Ugly Reality" I faced. My LinkedIn grew to 20,000+ followers because I shared my journey raw and unfiltered. I became a LinkedIn Top Voice, connecting with big founders across the ecosystem.

PHASE 5 - How I Learned, Developed & Crushed It

My system is simple: I work 16 hours a day. I manage college, US-based freelance clients, internship tasks, and my own product development simultaneously. I don't believe in "balance" during the building phase; I believe in focus.

The System: TickTick & Automation

I use TickTick to manage my life. I have sections for:

Founding Engineer Tasks: High-stakes architectural decisions.
Client Work: Delivering value to US clients at $80/hour.
Learning: Deep dives into AI and Web applications.

Learning Formula: The Loop

Pick a Project: Never learn a language without a goal.
Build: Write code until it breaks.
Break: Find the "Why" behind the error.
Mentor: Teach it to someone else to solidify the knowledge.

PHASE 6 - The Meta-Learning: Why You Should Care

Looking back, my journey from a Hindi-medium student to a Top 1% Mentor and Founding Engineer taught me 5 core principles:

Discomfort is a Compass: If a task makes you nervous (like moving to Indore or taking a Founding role), it’s exactly what you should be doing.
Logic is Currency: Whether it's AIR 5 in IERT or a 1950+ LeetCode rating, it all comes back to your ability to think through a problem.
Distribution is Power: Building in silence is a mistake. Share your work. 20k+ followers isn't a vanity metric; it's a network of opportunities.
Systems > Motivation: I don't wait to "feel" like coding. I follow the TickTick notification.
Mentorship is Growth: Teaching 300+ students made me a better engineer.

Conclusion: What's Your Story?

Today, I am not just a student. I am a builder who has:

Built multiple AI and Web applications.
Connected with the industry's biggest founders.
Maintained a Top 1% status on Topmate.
Maintained a Class Topper status with 82% in college.

I still work 16 hours a day. I still solve CP questions. I am still learning.

My Favorites -

Songs for the Grind -

"Winning Speech" - For the wins.
"Sanson Ki Mala" - For the soul.

Quotes to Live By -

"If you don't build your own dream, someone will hire you to build theirs." - Jim Rohn

Books that Shaped Me -

48 Laws of Power - For the reality of the world.
Deep Work - For the 16-hour sessions.
Mastery - Because that is the only goal.

Movies/Series -

Silicon Valley - The life of a dev.
The Social Network - For the ambition.

Final Thoughts

If you've read these thousands of characters, you have the patience to succeed. Now, stop reading and start Building.

If it was easy, anyone could have done it.

That's my story. I'm Sumit Kesarwani. What’s yours going to be?

Would you like me to analyze your current resume and suggest how to highlight these "Founding Engineer" and "Top 1%" achievements for your next big move?