I am an 18-year-old girl. I have completed my Inter second year in medical stream. I always wanted to become a doctor. The first time, I could not succeed in the MBBS exam, and took up a long-term course to give it another try. But I have lost the seat again by 10 marks and 30 ranks. I belong to the general category, there is no reservation for me. I am totally depressed. I’m even getting suicidal thoughts. Please advise.
Aastha
A. My dear, please don’t blame yourself for your marks and not making the cut, especially in medicine in India. We all know how tough it is. Besides, there are reservations and donations and even when you wish to do your Masters, sometimes affordability becomes more the case than being good and passionate. The world has great education opportunities and options. Spend one month online and there is so much out there to learn as physicists and biologists or artists or research.
I like your passion for your work. Our country needs honest, passionate youth. Suicide is not an option. Spend the next one month looking up all types of career online and see how many wonderful options you have. All the best. Our country needs you.
I have done a play called Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai based on the failures of my life without which I would not have been the person I am. I owe as much to my failures as I do to my successes. So treat your failures the same way as you treat your successes. Also, being just 10 marks away from making it is superb on its own.
Q I have been suffering for a couple of years with some issues such as tremendous absent-mindedness, strange tension, fear, anxiety, anger, worry, mental fatigue, confused state of mind, laziness and self-generated mental pressure. Please help.
Ashfaq
A. Don’t get hassled by the way you feel. Start working on constructive activities slowly. Physical activities like workouts or dancing, going for a run, playing a sport will make you feel different. Spend time with positive people and make it a habit to be positive yourself. Go about it slowly.
Every day for 20 minutes in the morning, read about something that you like — science, politics,... and enjoy while you read it. Gradually, increase the time of reading. If you are a student then this will be a good way to shift focus to studying. Don’t indulge in your thoughts and don’t run away from the way you feel.