Interview with Sachin Prajapat: Architecture School Tips

Architecture school can feel like jumping into the deep end—you’re expected to know so much, so fast, and sometimes it’s only after struggling that you realize what no one told you. Recently, I had the chance to talk with someone who’s been helping students navigate this very journey. We discussed the everyday struggles of architecture students, how to grow during these five intense years, build your network, and understand the evolving landscape of the architecture field in India.

Welcome to Episode 4 of Archi-Tales: The Interview Series. In this episode, I speak with Sachin Prajapat—an architecture mentor who’s been guiding students through entrance exams like JEE B.Arch and NATA for over four years. Sachin is passionate about creating quality educational content and recently launched his platform, Safal Together, to empower future architects through accessible learning and community support.

Bridging the Gap Between Aspirants and Architecture Education

What motivated you to focus on guiding and preparing students for architecture entrance exams after graduation?

He began creating educational content in his second year of college, focusing on guiding students through the JEE B.Arch and NATA exams. According to him, students are the most crucial part of the architecture industry today. He noticed a lot of confusion among aspiring architecture students, which motivated him to share insights from his own experience.

What started as a solo initiative has now grown into a team of over 10 members. His mission is clear: to add value and spark a positive shift in the architecture community through education. This passion continues to fuel his work.

What are some of the most common questions or struggles that architecture aspirants face?

In India, the eligibility criteria are PCM (Physics, Chemistry and Maths) subjects in high school which are not the curriculum for architecture entrance exams. Primarily the struggle to prepare from scratch for subjects like sketching and architecture aptitude. 

He also points out that motivation is quite less because of minimal competition. A lot of students are already under the impression that this degree is too hard leading them to not be as sure, because of the popular narrative around this field. 

What’s your take on the current architecture pedagogy? Many students feel it’s too focused on theory and grades, with limited practical exposure. How do you think students can manage?

Although the curriculum has evolved, architecture pedagogy has not adapted to meet the changing demands of required skills. He highlights that it’s difficult to manage a lot of subjects that come with their own theory and practical requirements. There is still some gap when it comes to important things like site exposure. Most of the time, students get confined to the bubble of their college. 

Having said that, they should know that it’s not gonna be spoon-fed and you will have to put in effort to gain experience and expand your knowledge.  

Common Struggles in Architecture College 

How to do time management in architecture submissions.

Drawing from his five-year degree experience, he explains…time management doesn’t mean completing your submission on time. What you do with your time after the submission is actual time management. 

He gives an example of how he learnt to manage his time when he started his YouTube channel. Don’t overthink about how you will make time for extra stuff. The key is to plan. It’s important to realise that the first three years of your degree are probably the time when you can develop your skills and explore which might be difficult during an internship or thesis.  

How to overcome stress when you have tons of submissions?

He has rightly pointed out the major reason that stress comes when you don’t work or your work is incomplete. One is likely to feel stressed out when you are not able to manage time or something interrupts unexpectedly. In such situations, we might not be able to do everything as we had planned but we can definitely do our best. 

How to not lose confidence after a ‘destructive’ discussion with a faculty member?

Sometimes in between discussions, there are unpredictable situations of feedback which might disrupt the schedule of your submission and it will happen a lot. He came up with a solution that made total sense – don’t emotionally attach yourself to your work, Always remember that nothing is permanent or perfect. 

How to stop comparing yourself to your peers? 

He believes that by comparing you are doing injustice to your time and hard work. “Don’t compare, it’s your life and your work, learn from what you like, recognize your strength but focus on learning,’’ he explains. There is no point of comparison and it’s just a matter of time. 

How to give your best academically? 

He shares that the strategy to perform your best is as simple as attending classes attentively. Either make notes or record especially when it comes to the subjects you struggle with. That’s all you need to ace for exams or the semester. 

Networking and Growth for Architecture Students 

Since there aren’t many opportunities for architecture students to network across colleges, especially in person, what are some tips or ideas for students to connect and build relationships with peers from other institutions? 

Primarily he stresses using social media efficiently to make contacts or at least reach out to fellow students. Other opportunities to connect are fests, competitions, conferences, exhibitions or even LinkedIn. He also suggests writing cold emails to build your network but you have to write at least a 100 to expect even a few replies. 

He also recommends making contacts through faculties and internships. Honesty internships and courses are the easiest ways to build contacts. The more you keep yourself updated in terms of the latest news or just in general with the field, the more doors will open for you to connect and talk. 

Is the Architecture Field Saturated or Misunderstood?

Do you think the architecture field is saturated?

“The answer is yes and no’’, he says. According to him, there are limited high-income jobs and opportunities as an architect. But with time and technology, specialized skills have opened new doors for architects spreading into the fields of BIM, AI, Sustainability etc. Architecture like other fields also demands you to upskill yourself and create opportunities for yourself. And with so many online platforms, it is easier to learn and grow, all you need to do is start. 

But he also mentions that he has noticed that with time, the number of students motivated towards architecture has decreased, perhaps due to a lack of awareness about the field or the image created by social media. 

Architecture as a profession is sometimes perceived negatively—do you think there’s truth to that? If so, how can we change that perception?

That’s majorly a result of the picture portrayed by architecture students online. There are more meme pages than any providing actual information or awareness related to the field. The only way to change this perception is by using social media to talk about the realities and build a support community. 

What would you advise architecture students to be better prepared for the real world? 

1. Think and act outside of submission 
2. Take charge of your time, If everything’s a priority, nothing is—and that’s when you lose direction.
3. Minimise distractions 
4. Believe in yourself, You are enough – maybe it’s new but it’s just a matter of time 
5. Keep yourself motivated and Don’t be scared to fail 

I hope this insight into the architecture field was as helpful to you as it was to me. Honestly, I learned so much from Sachin during our conversation. His journey is not only inspiring but also motivating, reminding us that there are endless possibilities in architecture. It’s all about finding your path, staying focused, and navigating the challenges with determination.

Thanks for reading, and if you found this valuable, don’t forget to check out my other posts for more insights and stories to support you on your architecture journey.