u/Honest-War-587

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice from seniors or anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I'm currently in the last term of the Foundation level of the IITM BS degree, pursuing it as a standalone student.

Alongside academics, I'm heavily focused on upskilling—I’m taking the Apna College Web Development course, actively building my frontend portfolio, and also doing a side gig that takes around 2–3 hours daily.

I'm now wondering whether I should also enroll in a regular offline degree (BCA, B.Sc., or B.Tech.) alongside the IITM BS.

Why I'm considering it:

• I feel like I'm missing out on the traditional college experience, campus life, networking, clubs, and having an offline peer group.
• A conventional offline degree might act as a safety net for HR filters during placements.

For those who have pursued dual degrees—or chose to stay with only the IITM BS:

• How manageable was balancing an offline degree with IITM?
• Did the offline degree actually provide any significant advantage during internships or placements?
• If you had to choose again, would you still do both?
• Or is it strategically better to stay standalone, dedicate that time to becoming really strong in Web Development, and build a portfolio that stands out?

I'd really appreciate any honest advice, reality checks, or personal experiences. Thanks in advance!