Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
There is a point in the life of every NEET PG candidate when the pressure gets too much. The books, the mocks, the failures — they all add up. And at that point, you ask yourself: Is this worth it?
Let me tell you — it is. And if you’re standing at that threshold today, I’m here to tell you about my jouney, not as a person who never failed, but as a person who never quit.
From a One-Room House to a Dream
I did not grow up in luxury. I grew up in a one-room house, sleeping on the floor. I’d glance at people with beds, with cars, with houses — and dream silently: One day, I’ll earn it too.
There were no coaching classes, no distractions, only a dream and a father who had faith in it greater than I had. He couldn’t invest money or resources, but his only investment was in his son.
When Your Identity Changes Overnight
There’s a lovely moment when you clear NEET PG, the moment when your family perceives you differently. You’re no longer simply their child. You’re a doctor.
That single score turns the way the world thinks of you around, but what matters more, it turns around the way you think of yourself too. You feel accountable, deserving and at last, noticed.
A Roommate’s AIR 3 – My Turning Point
I will never be able to forget the day when my roommate got AIR 3. I was shocked for a moment. But immediately a thought came which never left my mind — “Only two ranks left now.
That’s when I understood that real inspiration doesn’t come from books. It results from proximity. When success is beside you, it no longer seems impossible.
Bootcamps, Surgeries & Zero Sleep
My life wasn’t a neat timetable. My OTs began at 5 in the morning, surgeries continued till midday, clinics occupied the afternoon, and studies? Late at night.
But I didn’t complain. Because I knew what I wanted. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew it would be worth it.
Results That Didn’t Come — But Lessons That Did
I’ve waited for results that never arrived. I’ve watched Diwali being celebrated in the MAMC hostel with crackers and calls to parents, while I remained quiet. No rank. No response.
Those are the days that break most people. But if you hold on through those nights, you’ll build a strength no success can teach.
Wisdom From My Father
After a bad argument, I stormed out of the house. I expected him to shout. He didn’t. He just said, “Don’t fight me. Talk to someone who’s been where you want to go.”
That single sentence hit my soul. It showed me to respect experience and consult, not only books, but also individuals who have travelled before you.
Why Delayed Success Is the Most Valuable
Easy success is never valued. But when you’ve failed, when you’ve cried, when you’ve sacrificed, and then you have won, it’s a sense no one can ever take away.
You grasp the process. You appreciate the journey. And you become solid.
PGI and the Lone Ortho Seat
There was only one general category ortho seat in Delhi. People said I should be realistic, to compromise. But I had not forgotten my dream.
My dad told me, Study hard for three more months as you did for the last six. You will get in. I did and made it possible. That seat wasn’t chance — it was determination.
My Study Strategy — Simple But Effective
- Start early
- Do daily MCQs
- Revise yesterday’s work
- Write your goals every single day
- Teach someone (or the wall) — if you can explain it, you’ve learned it
- Walk while you study — move your body, move your mind
- And most importantly: write your dream on the wall. Mine said: “MS Ortho, Delhi.” I read it every single day. And one day, it became real.
You Don’t Need Many Friends — Just Real Ones
In MBBS, you’ll meet hundreds of students. But when it actually matters, it’s the one or two who have your back that matter.
My grandmother used to say, “If you think you have three close friends, you’re dreaming.” That cracked me up, but it’s true.
Kill the Excuses, Not the Dream
If you get tired, do rest, but don’t give up. If you’re ill, learn anyway. As I always tell you, “If you’ve got a fever, break the thermometer.”
Excuses will not carry you to your destination. Self-discipline will.
Conclusion:
It’s not about AIRs or ranks. It’s about becoming someone strong enough to face the world. So, if you’re having a bad day today, don’t forget: your story ain’t over. It’s just a difficult chapter. Keep reading. One day, you’ll be someone else’s inspiration.
Keep moving. You’re nearer than you think.
Dr. Apurv Mehra
