Hey, future doctors. Imagine that I’m sitting with you and talking to you about NEET. Let’s bridge the gap between the screens and have a heart-to -heart. I remember the time of my NEET prep. The emotions, the failures, and disappointments are so fresh still, only because they were so intense. It’s impossible to forget them.
Being a topper in school was normal for me. Instead of calling me by my name, everybody often referred to me as the ‘Topper’. I was used to leading, never having to struggle. But as soon as my NEET journey began, I realized within the first week that I wasn’t the ‘Topper’ anymore.
Forget being average; there were times I felt I couldn’t even keep up with the rest. I couldn’t accept that I was struggling academically, couldn’t tell anyone that I don’t even understand the concepts anymore.
Over some time, I overcame this problem. I came to terms with this transition from being a school topper to a NEET struggler., But how? Let me tell you.
Acceptance
First and foremost, I talked to a few seniors and I tried to understand that this transition is entirely normal. I realized that there’s a difference between school exams and NEET, and this difference will obviously reflect in your performance. You might have never scored below 95 in school tests, but NEET is all about progress and improvement. You have to accept that you won’t be good at everything right away.
NEET’s syllabus is very conceptual. Even the best students can’t get the questions right in one go. The NEET exam is a very long race unlike annual school exams. It is not just testing your knowledge, it is also testing your determination.
School to NEET prep is a very long jump. The syllabus for NEET is just 4 times that of 10th board. You get options in board exams, you can leave out a few chapters. In NEET there is no choice, you have to learn everything.
You will LEARN everything, just give yourself the chance to learn. Acceptance is the first first step.
School Expectations:
Being a topper in school sets high expectations for the future. Friends, teachers, and family set the bar so high that the fear of failure becomes overwhelming. My parents were quite shocked when they heard about my initial mock test scores.
‘Is your class not teaching well? Are you dating somebody? Are you involved with bad friends?’
The expectations that people have with you and also the expectations you have with yourself are very high. Convincing yourself is easy, you soon realize the difference. The real difficulty is in convincing the people around you. It will be a little difficult to convince your parents, considering that they have not given exams like NEET during their times, it came up later. They do not understand the complexities and the competition.
You need to learn to speak up. Say things like, ‘No, it’s a process; improvement will take time!’ Learn to stand your ground and communicate with your parents and relatives.
Set Realistic Goals:
You should also understand that it is a long process, that you won’t just improve within a few days. Your performance might even become worse before improving. The learning curve works that way. There is a dip before the rise, your performance degrades before it improves. Also, the graph is different for everybody.
At some point, you have to accept the truth: not everyone progresses at the same pace. If it takes you longer than a classmate to master a concept, it doesn’t mean you’re lacking in your preparation. Everyone has a different grasping power.
Stop comparing yourself to others. I couldn’t score as well as my classmates initially either. I was put off by it for a while then I decided to take it as a challenge.
If you’re on the right path and can complete the syllabus on time, you don’t need to feel intimidated by anyone. You are not in a small, short term competition anymore. It is not like school.
Focus on Growth:
Try to work on your weaknesses and focus on improvements. Master at least the easy topics. If someone understands difficult topics but neglects the easy ones, and you’ve mastered these easy topics, you’re both on the same level.
Everyone has their strengths. Here, weightage matters, not difficulty. Learn to accept your weaknesses and find smart ways to overcome them. Try to think about your work rationally, don’t involve a lot of emotions. Don’t get dejected as soon as you score low, give up the school expectations in every aspect.
Ask questions.
Asking doubts is necessary. Teaching is a two-way process. Turn to teachers, seniors, and online resources when needed. Asking questions isn’t uncool. I remember asking the most basic questions during my low phases. The idea was always, ‘I think I’m wrong, better confirm it.’
And yes, people laughed. They’d say things like “What a nerd.” At first, I tried to prove I wasn’t just a teacher’s pet, but eventually, I stopped caring. When I started seeing progress, I realized that in a few years, I’d be living the dream, and their jokes wouldn’t matter.
Your teachers can help you improve much better than anyone else. You can also ask other aspirants for help. Seeking help does not make you smaller than the other person.
Positivity and breaks
Honestly, what makes toppers stand out isn’t their constant success but their ability to handle failures. Adopting a positive outlook makes all the difference. In school, a topper might mean ‘highest marks’, but here, being a topper means ‘I will keep studying no matter what.’
Determination and consistency define a topper in this context. Stay positive and keep moving forward. Surround yourself with reminders that you can do it. Trust me, it makes all the difference in the world.
It won’t be easy though. To avoid stress and burnout, take breaks and prioritize self-care. Exercise, relax, and spend time with friends. A refreshed mind will make progress much faster than a worried mind.
Don’t be consumed by guilt. Allow yourself to take breaks when necessary. Staying optimistic is crucial.
Believe in Yourself:
Lastly, never lose faith in yourself. You made yourself a topper in school; you’ll shine in NEET too. Believe in your abilities and keep studying.
All the best, dear aspirant.
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