My tea’s gone cold, I’m wondering why
I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window
And I can’t see at allIlkay Sencan and Yves V (Song: Not so bad)
I attempted another entrance exam a month ago, and as usual, it was without preparation. If you ask me the reason for it, I have the most valid and agreeable answer- because my parents want me to try my luck. As I explained in my previous blog, “Me and My… Life as an Indian Daughter: Part-1 and Part-2”, I had no option but to give in. So this is my view and experience of all the entrance exams I have ever given or tried to give.
Let me take you back to the good old days of 11th and 12th grade, when our parents said, “Abhi padhlo, iske baad to aish hi aish hai!” (Study now; later life will be fun.) I’m still waiting for that fun to arrive; I think it has the wrong address!
Indian Parents be hitting the wrong but right spots ALL THE TIME!
I wanted to be a doctor, but the moment I saw the entrance exam for it, I backed out (laughing emojis). The thought of coaching along with giving my boards was something that I didn’t want. So I rebelled and got my way out. But because I didn’t have anything else planned, I decided to take NEET (the medical entrance test). And I don’t think you expected this, but I got a 6 digit rank (for those of you who didn’t get it, it’s a pretty bad rank). I thought to myself, if NEET went this way, JEE wouldn’t be a piece of cake either.
Now that MBBS was out of the way, the next best and only option left for a biology enthusiast (Yes, that’s what I call myself because I still genuinely like bio) was B.Sc. I didn’t want to bore myself with one subject and had no plan of becoming a professor, so I didn’t opt for honors. I took Life Sciences- a perfect blend of Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry that isn’t as easy as it sounds. And I kept Biotechnology as the second option.
So till the time I had to wait for the list, I gave entrance exams for B.Sc. Biotech in Jamia Millia and B.Tech. Biotech at IP University. I got a rank of 1100 and 1900, respectively. And even though I attempted the wrong section in the IP exam, I scored a decent rank. But both institutes had a maximum of 36 seats, so as you already know, I didn’t stand a chance.
Soon enough, from the first cutoff itself, I got admitted to Acharya Narendra Dev College for B.Sc. Life Sciences because “I” had made the right decision of focusing on my CBSE instead of swinging between coaching and school (muscle emojis). Then, finally, after enjoying my first and second years of college to the fullest, I joined coaching.
Who this? NOT ME! (emoji with the black shades)
The next step after graduation was my master’s, and I wasn’t a studious kid, so I decided to take coaching. The story of what goes on inside an institute like this is a whole other blog. But for now, just imagine it as a group of people who ooze out nerd energy (my definition of a nerd is someone who is really hardworking and focused– I WANT TO BE LIKE THAT) and teachers who are supreme masters in their subjects.
This coaching gave me a glimpse into how much hard work it takes to clear an entrance. I gave it a year, made all the notes, but hardly studied anything, and to date, those notes are on my study table, waiting to be opened (laughing emojis). But the point is, I totally relate to the hard work it takes to clear an entrance.
And let me educate you on the realities of being a master’s student. The government colleges barely have any seats (around 20-30 in each college). There are some common entrance exams that we give in the hope that, from the thousands of students who appear for the exam, we can get selected. But with half-heartedness and almost zero preparation, this is what we deserve- NOTHING (laughing emojis).
By God’s grace, I could move ahead with my master’s in Biotechnology from a private college. In the last semester, when I was preparing for the Ph.D. entrance, there were literally THREE seats in the general category for the course that I wanted to pursue (single line smile emojis). After experiencing the reality of a Ph.D., something inside me screamed- “You really think you study this much? Be for real.” And I’m sure you know how that came to be. Now I’m happily sitting in my room, telling you my story.
A gentle reminder for all those Swifties or readers who are preparing for an entrance- PADH LO BHAI!
Going through all of this made me realize that dedicating your life to any entrance exam is hard work. I couldn’t do it. But there are thousands of students out there who do it and want to do it. If anyone reading this is going to attempt any entrance exam, with the experience I have, the only advice I can give you is, don’t give up. And even if no one is proud of you, let me tell you I AM SOOOO PROUD OF YOU!
I get it. I won’t be able to imagine the pain and failure that someone feels when they are unable to clear the exam because I haven’t given my mind, heart, body, and soul to something so special. But all I can say is that these years will pass. I know IIT/AIIMS or any of these top colleges, for that matter, are the best. But you can still build and live an amazing life without graduating from the best school. The reputation of the school is nowhere near as important as your life.
There will be a lot of distractions and a lot of people to pull you down. But if you really have the dedication and your dream is non negotiable– you will do it. Even if it’s rocket science, know that God put this idea in your head because you can do it. And God forbid if you aren’t able to crack the entrance; you still learned a lot of skills and are way better than you used to be before. And the next time you appear for it, you won’t be starting from zero; you will be starting from experience (heart emojis).
Keep this in mind while preparing. ALL THE BEST (heart emojis)
Journal Time: If you are someone who is preparing for the exam, I want you to write some affirmations for yourself. Something like:
“I believe in myself.” “I am proud of myself, irrespective of the result.” “I feel confident in my ability to clear the exam.”
And if you aren’t preparing and know someone who is, send them this blog to cheer them up. I swear, they need it!
Until next time, Adios Amigos.
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