My Journey

Introduction

Welcome to my blog! I’m Ibrahim, born on January 18, 2005, in Muscat, Oman, where my dad worked. My mom and I lived in India with my four older sisters, in a village near Bhatkal, Karnataka, called Manki, which is on the coast. During his career, my dad worked in cities like Muscat, Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. He would join us on vacations whenever possible. In 2013, he retired and came back to live with us full-time, often taking us on trips as well.

Join me as I take you through my journey from schooling in Manki to my years in PU college and moving to Bangalore for further studies. The transition was significant, but the support from my family and friends has been invaluable over the years. Their encouragement and guidance have played a crucial role in my growth and development. I’m looking forward to sharing how their influence has helped shape my path. These experiences have shaped my interest in business and digital marketing, and I’m excited to share them with you.

Family

My family consists of my father, mother, and four older sisters, all of whom are married. I am the youngest in the family and am dearly loved by my parents and four sisters. My parents have ten grandchildren so far. I am the only son in my family and am very fortunate to have such a loving and supportive family.

My dad took retirement in 2013 and returned to live with us. He used to join us on vacations and sometimes took us with him on vacations. He always wanted me to do well in my studies, and the pressure was on me since the 7th grade. After my 10th grade, he started giving me some of the best advice on what to do next in life. However, I was lazy and did nothing at that time. My dad kept telling me and was disappointed with my performance over the years. Although he often yelled at me for my mistakes, I now realize that his approach was necessary for my learning and growth. The turning point in recognizing the value of my father’s lessons and guidance came after the 10th grade, with a more significant impact observed after the 12th grade. I believe that if my father had been more lenient, I might have remained in my village without making progress. I am thankful to Allah that my father’s strictness and lessons ultimately worked and contributed to my development.

My mother has been a significant and positive influence in my life. I am thankful to Allah for giving me such a wonderful mom. From childhood, she made food for me and sent me to school, and she also made early breakfast for me during PU college when I had to leave early at 7:00 or 7:30 am. My mother has faced issues with her legs due to increased fat, which makes it difficult for her to walk. Despite this, she has always supported me by making food for everyone and managing other tasks. She has been a source of encouragement during my ups and downs, often telling me, “It’s okay, better luck next time. Do well next time.”

My older sister, who married and moved to Bahrain, would make phone calls to my mom and dad, and occasionally I would talk to her. She would visit home once every 2/3 years. After some years, she began making video calls every day, which made us all happy.

My 2nd older sister, who is married, had a significant impact on my life. She was always good in studies, but due to the lack of PU colleges at that time, she did not study further. She always helped me with my studies until the 10th grade and motivated me every time.

My 3rd older sister, who is also married, motivated me and regularly provided delicious food. Her exceptional culinary skills made me feel loved and cared for. Beyond the meals, her supportive words and positive attitude helped me through tough times. Her presence has been a blessing, and I am incredibly grateful for her unwavering support and love.

My 4th older sister, who is also married and who is exceptional and fantastic, motivated me like no one else did. She used to told me emotional stories about our dad, which inspired me. She also helped me with mistakes and sometimes hide them from our dad. Although she is 7 years older than me, we often fought but maintained a close bond.

Schooling Journey

I joined Al-Hilal English Medium School in my village, Manki, back in 2009 when I started my education journey from LKG. Growing up in a close-knit community surrounded by the lush landscapes of coastal Karnataka made every day a new adventure. From making friends to exploring academics, those early years at Al-Hilal were filled with learning and enjoyment.

However, things took an unexpected turn during my 9th standard year when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across India, leading to a nationwide lockdown. Like many students, I experienced the cancellation of my 9th standard exams due to these unusual circumstances. As we adapted to the new normal, my 10th standard schooling shifted online for half of the semester, and later, all classes moved to virtual platforms.

My 10th standard year was a turning point in my schooling journey. It was a time when my friends and I gathered every day, enjoying each moment to the fullest and creating countless memories. One of the most unforgettable moments was our farewell. We knew it might be our last time seeing each other together, but little did we know that Allah had planned something beautiful for us.

After our exams, we had the opportunity to meet one last time. We laughed, reminisced, clicked pictures, and cherished every moment. It was a bittersweet farewell filled with emotions and gratitude for the memories we had created together.

I completed my 10th standard in 2021, a year that was filled with both fond memories and personal challenges. Despite enjoying unforgettable moments with my friends and experiencing a heartwarming farewell, I was disappointed with my academic performance. I scored 60%, which didn’t meet my expectations.

Looking back on my entire schooling experience, I realize that it was not just about academics but also about the friendships and memories that shaped me. The bond with my friends, the shared experiences in and out of classrooms, and the laughter that repeated through the corridors—all these moments have left an unforgettable mark on my journey. It wasn’t just about learning it was about growing with friends, creating memories, and celebrating together

I wonder, perhaps your schooling journey was also about friendships, memories, and shared experiences that have shaped who you are today?

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PU College Journey

After completing my 10th grade, my dad wanted me to become more communicative. At one point, he considered moving me to Bangalore, but since I was just 17, we decided it was best for me to stay closer to home. In 2021, I joined Anjuman Pre-University College in Bhatkal, where I chose to study commerce with an extra subject in computer science.

As the days went by, I started to understand how to learn effectively without memorizing everything. I found that by listening attentively in class, I could grasp the material well. However, computer science was never my favorite subject. I particularly disliked the C++ programs and HTML, finding them challenging and uninteresting.

On the other hand, I loved the business subjects and slowly became very interested in them. As the 1st PU exams approached, I realized I hadn’t studied much and only had two days left to prepare. I started reviewing questions and important topics from the past two years’ exams. Despite my last-minute efforts and my usual laziness towards studying, I managed to score 58%, which was 2% less than my 10th grade percentage.

This experience changed my mentality. I realized that it wasn’t just about passing exams but about truly learning. I acknowledged my mistakes from the 1st PU and decided to approach my 2nd PU differently. I began enjoying all my classes, especially business, economics, and accounting. These subjects, particularly business, fascinated me and solidified my interest in this field. However, my dislike for computer science persisted.

As the days went by, I enjoyed moments with my friends and schoolmates who were studying with me. When the 12th exams approached, I wasn’t worried at all. I knew I could do it and wanted to learn each subject thoroughly. However, my dad was a little worried about my exams since I wasn’t studying properly, and the pressure was on me. I applied the same techniques as the previous year, but this time with the help of a friend who supported me like no one else did at that time. They taught me, explained things to me, and prioritized my success over their own exams.

My exams went well, and I was confident that I could easily score above 80%. However, Allah had other plans and we have to accept that. While I was in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah and on my way to Madinah, I found out that it was the result day. I was tense but ended up with 70%. I scored less in Hindi and also in Computer Science. Although it was a good score, Alhamdulillah, I wasn’t completely happy. I called my dad to tell him the result, and while he congratulated me, I could sense that he too had expected more. In that moment, I resolved to improve and strive for even better results in the future. I prayed to Allah for guidance in my future steps, hoping that whatever path I choose would lead to improvement and success.

Transitioning to Bangalore

In July 2023, I moved to Bangalore with many hopes and dreams, starting a new chapter at Presidency College, Kempapura. The process of completing my admission online was smooth, but the initial days were tough as I struggled with missing home. It was a period of adjustment, and I had to muster all my courage and determination to overcome the feeling of loneliness.

Despite the rocky start, I gradually adjusted to my new environment. As time went on, I began to feel more comfortable and started focusing more on my studies. The initial homesickness slowly faded as I became more involved in college life. Every small victory, from understanding a difficult concept to making new friends, contributed to my growing confidence.

Looking back, the challenges I faced were valuable lessons in resilience and self-discovery. Each step forward, no matter how small, was a testament to my ability to adapt and thrive. I realized that even when things seem difficult, perseverance and a positive mindset can lead to remarkable growth. I am now more motivated than ever, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to become stronger and better prepared for the future.