Sanity: Preparing for Medical Post Graduation Entrance Exams

I don’t want to act like I am the granddaddy around here but I really do think I put in a shift to get to a PostGrad
degree. I would hear people propound theories for why some made it easily while others slogged. The commonest explanation was that you just weren’t that INTELLIGANT (it has to be spelt that way coz the derogatory emotions came out only if spoken this way). I never did like this argument, I mean there was not one question in the PG
entrance exams that needed intelligence (honestly). So I just soldiered on. But the long hours of cramming; boredom can easily drive you insane. There is no way a general category student can study less than 10 hours a day for about 6 months if he/she is earnest about making it. Well that is if your middle name is not Einstein; he was INTELLIGANT you know ;)

So here are a few things I believe you need to do to keep your balance.

PS: I am not going to mention how to study…. U need to cram cram and cram…..systematically whatever that means…

Here goes:

1) Be positive: clichéd but works like a charm. In those dull, monotonous days it’s this spirit that will help you focus and keep the clutter out. Yes its unfair but the world never used fair and lovely:)

2) Schedule: Having a study schedule and sticking to it is vital. It lets you get things done in a way that doesn’t stress you towards the final lap.

3) Passion: Follow the EPL or Serie A. Matches are held over the weekend and lets you unwind, relax without eating into your time like the IPL. It also helps divert attention from your worries for just that little while.

4) Goals: One place I’d say never set goals. The PG entrances are such a funny system of assessment that too much obsession with getting say to certain rank range can probably harm you more than helping you. Keep calm and study rank will follow.

So guys I can only wish you luck even as you embark on this crazy journey. One thing you will never remember on the other side is how much heartburn this period caused. It gets drowned in the din of hospitals and the buzz in your head from those stolen 10 minute naps on duty. So hold on it’ll be alright.

About the author: Satyam Kapoor is an alumnus of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Batch 2003. He is a pediatrician who has completed his Post-graduation from DMC and Hospital, Ludhiana. Happy go lucky, avid reader and a mommys’ favorite Pediatrician is how he would like to describe himself.