The beginning of a journey or the end of the world?

More than 23 lakh bright-eyed students stepped into the colossal arena of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Their collective anxiety could power a small city. Sadly, only around 10 thousand seats are available. It’s like fitting an ocean into a teacup with nearly 99% of hearts guaranteed to break. Should such an impossible competition really define the students or are we just stewing them in a giant pressure cooker?

Our education system often fits students into the same mould, like trying to force wildflowers into identical pots. As Einstein put it, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Each student is a universe of talents, and no exam can completely assess their potential.

Entrance exams like NEET are often the first encounter of students with adulthood. Freshly out of the comfortable world of their schools, they are suddenly thrown in the path of a tornado. Adulthood isn’t the promised land—it’s a trap disguised as freedom. They are expected to accept career choices they never made, handle the pressure like pros and sail through every competitive exam. They are expected to build a rocket with Legos and fly to the moon.

As they scramble to get their share of cheese in this wild rat race, they drop a significant asset: hope. They stop being dreamers and lose the rose-coloured glasses that every child is bestowed with. With their self-esteem in shambles, they struggle to find who they are and what they can potentially become. All that matters is a distant cousin securing more marks marking him/her smarter and destined for success. Every student becomes a mere number. A single score defines their existence, their kaabiliyat and everything about their future.

In a time when everything about a child’s life is changing, couldn’t we embrace them for who they are? Life is a bustling railway station. Even if a student misses one train, another chugs along, then the next one. Each train leads to breathtaking destinations. Some students hop on the first train; kudos to them! Others wait, change tracks, or explore hidden platforms. The journey matters more than the timetable. Life isn’t a scarcity mindset; it’s abundance. If you missed the NEET train, there’s the SAT train, the other-professions train, the start-up train, many travel-the-world trains, and even a learn-to-juggle train. All aboard!

The world has enough resources for everyone, and life is long and vibrant enough to keep offering more chances. We must empower students to understand that failures are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. If we persist, failure is never final. J.K. Rowling wisely said, “It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” If you stumble, rise stronger or explore new passions, knowing that success demands relentless effort. With boundless enthusiasm, discipline, and unwavering dedication, anyone can achieve greatness regardless of the profession. Let’s remember that our students are made of stardust, dreams, and resilience. Early career counselling, guidance and kindness can transform their careers and the future of the world!

So, to all the aspirants: No matter what the NEET results, you will succeed in life. May your pencils be sharp, your minds sharper, and your luck as bright as a supernova. The universe awaits your next move. 

Dr Ambreen Hamadani, SKUAST-Kashmir