Hello everyone! We are back with the latest piece of 'Topper's Guide to Success' and we have Muhammed Nihal here who achieved an amazing two-digit rank in AIIMS 2014. Nihal has agreed to share his journey with us from his hometown in South to AIIMS New Delhi in North. So, grab your cup of hot drink and let him sprinkle some of his great advice for medical aspirants through this great article we have here.
Hi, I am Muhammed Nihal KS, currently doing Non-Clinical Juniorship in AIIMS New Delhi.
I am from the Thrissur district of Kerala. I did my MBBS from AIIMS New Delhi. Being a guy from Kerala, it was always a dream for me to study somewhere away from my hometown and explore new places. I have traveled to several places in North India in 5 and half years of my MBBS like Shillong, Jaipur, Jodhpur, etc. I cracked AIIMS in 2014. I got AIR 86 in the AIIMS exam, 81 in Kerala PMT, 220 in JIPMER PMT. Reading the result of AIIMS exam to my mom is a feeling I still recollect. I did my entrance coaching from Brilliant Study Center, Pala.
It's in our blood to socialize so much and procrastinate our studies until the last day of the exam. At least for many of us. That is a big thing I have avoided when I was preparing for the entrance exam. I did socialize enough with people around me, but I always did my preparations in time. I was always addicted to GTA games but stopped all of it once I started preparation.
The feeling you have once you crack the exam is something unexplainable and every second you spent reading and re-reading your books will be worth it.
Never compare your study methods to others because you are unique in your own way.
Being a doctor will always be a good feeling. Small techniques you learn in MBBS can actually save lives especially during childbirth like neonatal resuscitation. We are always doing something the other professionals cannot do, which is saving lives.
AIIMS, New Delhi is a free world. The amount of restrictions you have in the college is close to none. The academic section has no control over hostel activities. The interaction periods were tough but it's all party after that with your buddies. The facilities like gym, swimming pool are really awesome. Then there is our fest called PULSE. It cannot be explained in these small paragraphs. It's a 7-day fest full of extracurricular activities.
A free atmosphere has its own disadvantages too. Substance use disorders have increased among students due to this.
Preparing for an all India exam is always so tense but don't let it get into your nerves. Never compare your study methods to others because you are unique in your own way. Trying to do things in other's style will always be detrimental for you. For example, some people might study so late at night and some like to study mainly in the morning. Eventually all have to do the same questions during the entrance test. I did NCERT for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. You have to be thorough with NCERT. We had materials from a coaching institute in which different problems were available for Chemistry and Physics. It helped me speed up my calculation and accuracy. Doing so many guide books will simply make you confused about concepts. It's better to do just one book. If you don't understand, ask teachers or go to another book just to understand the concept. Self-study from home is something I don't recommend because self-discipline is a rare skill among students. There is no specific duration for which you have to study. Understand this is a competitive exam and all you have to do is your best effort. Put your goal as always Rank 1. Trust me you get luckier as you work harder. Class 11th is the most ideal time to start preparation according to me. I wish I had given more focused time instead of opening the book and thinking about something else. That might have fetched me a better rank.
I had a formula book for all Physics equations and important Chemistry equations. That helped me a lot in the last one month of preparation. For Biology, NCERT is all you need.
I had to drop a year for my preparation. I missed my chance to get into a peripheral AIIMS by a few seats. So I decided that day I will be getting admission to AIIMS Delhi next year. I couldn't give too much time in the 11th standard because I was on the school football team or maybe I took it as an excuse not to study. Once you start preparing seriously, stop making excuses for not studying.
I used to attend classes in the morning, come back to my room, and start studying right after that. I have not come across a night owl during my preparation time because classes were always in the morning. If being a night owl works for you, let it be. But you will have to change if you have your classes in the morning.
Deadlines are important. Otherwise, you are not gonna finish the subjects. Deadlines help you to be consistent in studies. There were special prizes for toppers in each test in the coaching institute. This was a positive reinforcement for students to study consistently. For example, if I don't get a prize in 1 exam, I work really hard to secure it in the next one. Please don't miss class tests because you are afraid. Exams are always important to know where you stand. I never missed any test no matter how less prepared I was. Doing the theory, then solving the questions was my approach. Last-minute revisions were always important for me.
While attempting the paper in final exams, always remember to give your full concentration. Don't get tensed in between the exams. Remember that even if you don't crack it, it's not the end of the world. So do your best in the exam. Do each question carefully. Don't get tensed if you don't get one question. You have so much more to solve. Do the rest and come back for the missed ones.
Wish you guys all the best for the upcoming exams. Always try to do your best.
Dr. Muhammad Nihal
MBBS Batch of 2014
AIIMS New Delhi
Like and share the article with your friends and family members if you loved this. Leave a comment to tell what do you want us to cover next.
Comments