Student Achiever: ‘Make the best use of time by pursuing your areas of interest’

Technology is his eternal love from which he never will part ways. Meet Ariet Jha who is studying in class XII at Apeejay School, Noida. In a candid interview, he gushes about all things tech and how he proudly secured second place at the ‘Cyquest’ Inter-school event.

Read edited excerpts here.

Tell us about the recent competition you participated in.

I recently went to SRDAV for a tech competition, where I participated in two events. My team and I managed to secure first place in one of them. I owe a lot to my teammates; without their support, I doubt we would have even made it to the top three.

 How was the experience?

The experience was incredible. I had the chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. The organisers did a fantastic job, the atmosphere was lively, and even the food was great! Overall, it was an exciting event filled with both fun and a few intense moments.

What was the most challenging part of the competition?

The toughest part was the event where we were asked to go first — a cryptic hunt. It’s a game where organisers hide interconnected clues across the Internet, and we have to find them all. The questions were truly challenging and very time-consuming. A special shout-out goes to my teammate; without her efforts, we wouldn’t have achieved anything in this event.

 How did Apeejay support you in this?

Apeejay was incredibly supportive. They helped us every step of the way — from registration to travel arrangements. The school’s encouragement also played a big role in motivating us to perform our best, and we couldn’t have done it without them.

What are your plans?

Right now, I’m competing in two more events, but once those are done, I’ll be taking a break to focus on upcoming exams. These competitions are pretty time-consuming, so balancing them with studies is tough. Plus, I think it’s time for some younger students to step up — they have the dedication to take it even further. After school, I plan to pursue a BTech in Engineering Physics and see where life takes me from there.

What’s your ambition?

I have a range of interests, mainly in finance, computers, and physics. That’s why I chose PCM with Computer Science as my stream. I believe in doing what you love — anything else feels like a waste of time and energy.

How important is technology in today’s scenario?

Technology has transformed our world tremendously over recent years, and its impact will only keep growing. Staying up-to-date with tech is essential to making a meaningful impact, and schools encouraging students to participate in events like these is a great way to ensure they keep pace