Biggest dilemma after Post Graduation (in my case,after M.S.General Surgery) was whether to seek a job, settle down in life , have kids or to give a shot at Higher studies (DM/Mch).

I  have been away from home and family for around 10 years , married recently, got stuck in the see saw of giving time to my family and pursuing my dreams. Nevertheless, trying to balance both and achieving nothing. Then came a day of realization and I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a Neurosurgeon.

Here comes the Covid Era, chaos all around, near and dear ones getting infected and some losing their lives due to this deadly virus.Along with COVID duties, and reduced surgical workload gave me an opportunity to give time to my studies.

Many times, during preparation negative thoughts come to mind and I started doubting my capability. The pressure is intense and the stakes are high. All the entrance exams are not just about that 1 D-day when we actually give the exam, these exams check our overall attitude, how well we sustain the pressure and how well we handle stress and balance our work-study schedule.

My family, especially my wife has been a pillar of strength,always motivating me and handling my tantrums.  

Dr. Udbhav Bansal

And here I am today, writing this blog , ecstatic and hyper excited , achieving All India NEET MCh Rank 90, planning to Join SMS Medical College and Hospital,Jaipur and fulfilling my dream.

My advice to my fellow colleagues and my dear juniors -

"THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS"

Books Used for Exam Preparation

For Neurosurgery Part

1. Theory: Greenberg Rapid Review 
2. MCQ: NIMHANS MCQ by G. Omkarnath 
3. And a test series (any coaching Institute) 

For General Surgery Part

1. Theory: Love And Bailey 
2. MCQ: Pritesh Singh 

Average Time Devoted Each Day

• I used to divide time in two halves each day, one half general surgery and one half neurosurgery.
• To be frank, I had studied seriously in last 3 months, leaving my job and devoting time exclusively for studies. 
• Studies on an average of 12 hours in last 3 months

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3. Enjoying success and staying balanced in failure : Philosophy for staying calm during the NEET SS Exam (By DR Vinayak Rengan)
4. How I prepared for NEET PG: Dr Vinay Kumar Rai
5. NEET PG Success Stories: Dr Abhinaya Jeyaraman
6. NEET PG Success Stories: Dr Ashutosh Karn
7. The journey from a rank of 54000 in NEET PG to a rank of 62 by Dr Himanshu Gupta

10/07/2020 09:57:00 AM

It was 2014. After wasting an year in post internship syndrome,the world seemed to stand still. With whopping 5 digit numbers in All India and State Entrances, I had started questioning my inner self if I was an apt fit to this profession. Should I sit back and prepare again or should I get a job and start making a living, such questions used to continuously hover on my mind, making things restless.

Should I sit back and prepare again or should I get a job and start making a living, such questions used to continuously hover on my mind

Preparation for an entrance are one of the most dreadful periods in a medicos life. You can't eat more as you might start feeling sleepy after it, you can't go out for that starts making you feel guilty, you can't attend family functions for you are bombarded with what are you doing currently questions which if explained no one understands. Preparing? Achha uske liye bhi padhna hota hai kya?
Such questions used to boggle my mind off.

Battling all these self doubts and guilt in my mind, I decided to give it one more shot.
"The next 9 month,either this side or that side" I mumbled in my mind. Say it my luck or my room mates bad luck, he was stuck at a borderline rank. He couldn't dare to take it neither leave it.
We both decided to change our study place in hope that will change our fortunes. This friend of mine was my MBBS batch mate. The last year we had shifted together and started preparing. But just in 3 months I lost way and left him. Anyways,this time with rock solid determination in the scorching sun of April we decided to find a place in the medical hub of Delhi, Gautam Nagar.

Anyways,this time with rock solid determination in the scorching sun of April we decided to find a place in the medical hub of Delhi, Gautam Nagar.

This place was true for a doctor what was true for an engineer in Bangalore. Even the barber knew the difference between a PG aspirant and a FMGE here. Surprisingly the landlord's were more welcoming to a foreign graduate than to a Indian one. The reason which I came to know later on was not surprising.

So finally we found a place for us which by God's grace had a balcony and a view. One of the rare things you would find in Gautam nagar,where people make 4 walls covered with a tin shed and call that a room. Thanking our starts enough,we immediately finalized and paid advance.

Now the next target was to find a library where one could immerse in the world of mcqs with many others who were one of the best brains of the country. In Gautam Nagar one would find libraries in every corner and streets. We finalized one which had the best record in past years plus which was no girls allowed library. We were so focused for a PG seat this time that we were trying to avoid all the possible urvasis around us, not that we were surrounded by any of them before.

Back then there were 3 types of coaching available. The tablet apps were still in their dormancy. One had to select between regular classes, test and discussion or test series. Being done with regular classes and tasting every inch of their business, I didn't want to go for any further coachings wasting lakhs of rupees. Firmly, I decided to go for a test series,which would be light on my pocket and keep my preparation in check.

Every step in this place was competitive. From grabbing a seat in library to finding a place to eat,there was a que everywhere. Any place you could see up to you would find a qualified MBBS doctor in his bermudas looking as helpless as you . This was the place you would hear more MCQs than prayers.

With all the determination I started preparing. There was a provision for seating 2 people on a single table which would make you immovable. Things were tough here as I said. So I started with the weekly test series of a coaching institute. We would read up a subject in a week and give its test on Sunday. We had to make sure the subject got over in those 7 days itself. A single day here and there and the left over were left forever,so was the crunch of time.

We would read up a subject in a week and give its test on Sunday. We had to make sure the subject got over in those 7 days itself. 

As the time passed and a few tests were done, we had started gaining some confidence. Then came may AIIMS exam. For which we never did any special preparation. For someone having 5 digit rank in NEET PG a few months back, aiming AIIMS was out of question where only a few seats were to be competed for. Anyways, with whatsoever preparation we did,we appeared for the exam and then totally forgot about it. When the results were out, I got a rank of 361. It was a major morale booster. Never in my life I had imagined of being so close to what I had been aiming for. Within a few minutes of results being announced I became famous in the library. People had started congratulating and asking tips on how to read as if I had topped the exam. But then,who doesn't likes fame. Now I was more confident than ever. I started writing a small diary where I would jot down all the emotions I felt. Be it personal, professional, parents, love life etc. I used to appreciate myself whenever I did good and scold as well when I became overconfident. This diary was my mentor. I would often go through it and check my emotions.

Then came the mid year DNB exams and we both did extremely well that would fetch us clinical seat in the branch we wished. But now we were determined to take our fight to the NEET PG exam which was the landmark exam of PG entrances. With same enthusiasm we continued preparing. 12 hours a day, no booze, no girls, no outings, no parties, burning our ass to the every core possible. We often tried to escape from our other friends who were in jobs that time so as to save a few minutes. I often felt guilty of such behaviour but now when I am through it I feel it was necessary.

12 hours a day, no booze, no girls, no outings, no parties, burning our ass to the every core possible. 

At an age when everyone is earning we were still drawing cash from our parents,who did not asked a single question on what we were doing. Every rupee we spent was with caution. PG preparation is not only a tough time physically and mentally but financially as well. We would regularly pump each other. There were times when we felt low,not able to think what would happen if we were not able to crack.

The situation in library was becoming tensed with every passing day. It was November and all were adrenaline charged . Even the noise of sipping tea was not tolerable. Being all men library,often brawls would surge up. The only thing now important was to hold the nerves and revise. Deep inside we knew that we had read everything possible and  now only need good revisions.

Finally the d day arrived. And we attempted it with all the might we had gathered all year long.
As soon as the exam got over I ran away from all the books and immersed myself into the world of beer. I just wanted to forget all the questions and relax a bit. Now I wanted to use this time rejuvenate myself for all that was lost this year.

The results were out in a month time and I had finally cracked one of the toughest exams in India admitting myself to a government medical college learning the art of surgery. I was content and satisfied with what I had achieved. The dreadful phase was over.  Not knowing what future was waiting with, I moved steps towards the next title. My designation had changed, PG aspirant to a would be surgeon.

The results were out in a month time and I had finally cracked one of the toughest exams in India admitting myself to a government medical college learning the art of surgery.

---

About the Author 

Dr Vinay Kumar Rai is currently pursuing his DNB Urology at Max Hospital, Saket. He finished his M S General surgery in 2018 from Bikaner. He is interested in scalpel, sports and students. 

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6/26/2020 04:40:00 PM

By Dr Ashutosh Karn
February 2 at 8:55 pm
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/neetpgsupport/permalink/4055020137845259/

Guys , don't feel low if you didn't get what you expected..
Just wanted to share a short story of mine after seeing many posts I can imagine myself I have been there too in same boat frustrated. But I just believed in myself and got my desired branch (orthopaedics at 19k rank), govt hospital Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (Civil) Hospital, Lucknow. With good stipend 70k.., n free hands on surgery..good patient loads 350+ opd..

I was performing really well in May and had great ranks in JIMPER and PGI. Even I was getting some branches there, but my heart was with ortho. I can't imagine anything without.

But i was shattered after nov aiims, it was very difficult for me study.. December was horrible for me ..being locked in a room for 2 years no friends i stayed away from everybody for neet..
. But i took an oath that i will study till neet and i won't touch my preparation books after neet again..

I have given my best i can't screw my head anymore
I will live my life and enjoy it fullest..

But to worse result shocked me and i landed up at 19k which i never expected... And my dream for ortho was shatterd.. I was depressed.

. I joined metro hospital to escape.. Most guys working there resigned from job..
After results n i was in dilema too.. N was so frustrated.

But i stick to promise made to myself " result was not in my hands but happiness is ..n ab paise kmane h dba ke... I stopped giving damn about life..
Then parties.. N parties..

N i got job in lardy harding medical college..after i secured good rank in their entrance.. I was getting everything.. But i wanted to be a surgeon so my options were ortho if not then ophtha.. As no surgery as i don't wanted to study for 6 more years i don't want to spoil my youth n freedom.. So i can get an idea about ophtha in best institute of India n reliased m not for ophtha.. That's don't suits my tough personality...so i was clear abt not choosing ophtha.. Bcz for ortho i had idea but for ophtha u don't hv enough exposure in internship unless u work there...

So be aware in choosing branch. It's more complicated

N i was doing night in private hospital too with lhmc .. So i was earning really good... Which made me happy... ""

One of my friend who had better rank than me told me even he wanted orthopaedics too but won't get at this rank. So he started preparing for dnb june n didn't register for dnb counselling...
And advised me same ..not have false hope...

But dnb june cancelled n he was shattered.. N told me you were right at least you have job n u r happy.. So positiveness matters..

No body expected that i will get orthopedic at this rank.. I started following counselling very closely n having very close watch on wb n mh state counselling n i called many n convinced them to resign from dnb if they are already alloted in states.. N many did.. So miracle happened in dnb mop up..
N my parents are proud of being wrong (who asked me to compromise n settle with ophtha) n me right...

And i chose a government hospital in lucknow in mop up which was the newly added with good patient loads 350 + opd ..n free hands on surgery....

So have a close watch on newly added government hospitals ..

Just one advice neet is 400m race ..now you are done 300m ..still 100m (counselling) is left.. Dont look back if you are ahead (good rankers )..choose your desired branch instead of city ,hospitals,stipend as its just for 3 years..

. A girl got around 3000k rank n she waited
Till mop up and took dnb radio gangaram.. That s guts ... That you all need to have now

N average rankers like me.. For you just believe in yourself and go for dnb mop up ... N follow counsellings.. Be wise and have patience n u will get your branch...

U can defeat good rankers in this last 100m..if you play wise..just respect your rank...

.just chill n dont feel frustrated"


Now focuss on money,, job.. Paisa .. Khusi deti h.. Neet ka b gm bhula degi itni taakat hai isme.. 😂 jokes apart...

One more thing now there is bond everywhere except delhi in md ms.. So your post graduation is 4-6 years. In dnb there is no bond so even if u get a back yr pg is of 3.5 years n by 6 years you will have many fellowship or dm or mch... Which is must nowadays ..

Dnb u clear by your own guts.. So you are far better ..
So don't underestimate..

After all you will be called an orthopedics surgeon.. Physician or paediatrics .gynaecologist.. It doesn't matter MD MS or dnb or diploma.but it's all yours capability..

I have seen many diploma are better n earning more than ms md guys..

As many queries.. Dnb stipend is equivalent to MD ms.. Max in delhi (90-95k) then u. P 70k..

Note- once you are alloted seat anywhere neet, states or dnb round 123 you are ineligible for dnb mop up...
So choose wisely
- if you rank is less than 30k and its not your first drop ,settle this time as u ll get clinical branches .in mop up ..as i have seen many guys after drop their ranks are not improved.. U ll feel frustrated n yr speed will slow down. ..

Only if you are determined that u can study thoroughly then go for drop... Don't waste much time in preparation.. U ll be starting from zero once you get your branch....

N candidates with rank above 17k wait for mop up it will be jackpot for you all..
Min. Stipend is 35 k that's dnb last year guidelines..
- choose government hospitals for surgical branches..
No dnb seats in rml lucknow from this year as it is merged to medical college

For branch just ask yourself whether u want to be a surgeon or physician.. N choose accordingly..no branch is bad. U can make it better if you have interest.

All the best


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2/26/2020 10:16:00 AM

By Dr Abhinaya Jeyaraman

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/neetpgsupport/permalink/4045569935456946/

Yes a proud mommy here with 3 words, "Ask, Believe, Receive" #Ennampolvaazhkai as my mother says❤️

Finally all the hardwork and sleepless nights paid off. It has taken me 18 exams to be able to post the result of this 19th exam! (Not ashamed as they were all my stepping stones)!

Yes it's AIR:1412, 836MARKS. May not be the best among all but sure will give me my dream branch (And that is what I feel life is all about❤️)

I was 4 months pregnant when I opted out of TN state counselling(on 20/5/2018-Day to remember) as i was not getting my dream branch and felt i didnt give my best in 1st attempt and would regret later if i compromise & settle without giving another try.

I'm a 2017 regular batch student at DAMS pondicherry, who started the preparation with lots of hope but ended up with an average rank because of self doubt close to exams.
I've believed that i can perform well this time despite delivery.

"How can you perform better during pregnancy?" asked ^those^ people & like what they said I've ended up with a rank of 13k in NEET 2019 (2nd attempt post pregnancy and delivery in October 2018)and again ^those^ ppl said "I told you did a blunder, you should have taken a seat among other branches u've got! how can you be so silly?". I kept quite and was sure in my mind that for now I should take care of my baby and should prepare the best possible way with whatver time i can manage to study. And also made sure not to repeat the mistakes which I've been doing in last 2 attempts. Only God knows those moments after I put my baby to sleep, I lied on my bed staring at the ceiling when tears kept flowing on its own.

I've prepared from both inlaw's and mom's home alternatively and we dint have a caretaker for my baby girl so I made sure i should balance both. I was targeting the central institute exams but to my shock it went miserable, (AIIMS:7K PGI:2K JIPMER:4K.) But reminded myself why I begun and gave a best shot for 3rd attempt NEET. Used marrow qbank and test series did around 300 modules (wish I did more)

In last 2 months :

1. Thoroughly did notes around 7times with subject test on marrow

2. Gave weekly marrow GTs on sundays and would split n revise the solution 50qns/day.
I've attempted 299 qns in NEET and felt pretty much of them were from notes. I would like to take a moment to thank all the teachers of dams for making concepts clear with their gold standard notes and also teachers of marrow (they were the only resources for my preparation and am forever indebted to both of them🙏), my respected professors from MGMCRI,Pondicherry and my family without whom am nothing but a trash.

My message to fellow aspirants:

1. If there is one person on this earth who believes that you are so capable of achieving anything, that must be YOU! Because according to me, BELIEF IS EVERYTHING!

2. Let your burning desire to win burn all the obstacles coming on your way.

3. There will always be ^those^ ppl in ur life who constantly degrade you that you are incapable. All you need to do is to "PROVE THEM WRONG".

4.After all you aren't gonna do this for yourself, put your family first! If you are first clear about your "why" everything else will fall into its place.

5. Special message to women, unlike guys, we will have this PG preparation phase along with personal life (either our family is searching for a groom on matrimony/married/pregnant/some may prepare with a baby- irony is I've experienced one for each attempt 😂😂)

Always remember if Postgraduation is 50% of our life, personal life will be 50% and certainly we are so capable of managing both in an extraordinary way!. I've attached my schedule, might be helpful for someone with a baby, but I myself was not able to follow it most of the time and studied lesser than this at times😅

P.S: I ve posted this originally on dams club and reposting this from my account as many of my friends asked me to do so. If this is helping one pure soul not to give up, not to be shattered by one single bad result, the purpose of this post is achieved! Good luck friends! God bless you all!

Related Posts:

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https://www.worldsurgeryforum.net/2020/02/which-are-best-books-subject-wise-for.html

2/04/2020 04:57:00 PM

This is a very inspirational post written by Dr Himanshu Gupta and was posted on his page at this link. We have all faced a similar struggle to retain and perform in exams but have never been this eloquent and straightforward to put our struggle in words to inspire many. Great job Dr Himanshu Gupta! Hope his words motivate you all to get your dream PG/ Superspeciality Seat.

P. S. :- A Picture of a place where I studied and lived !

2/18/2018 11:43:00 AM

This post was originally published on facebook group NEET PG and DNB 2018 Counselling Aid and Update by Dr Chiranjeevi Nayak . It very well describes the unheard demand of lakhs of PG aspirants. The author has highlighted funny and illogical ironies of Indian medical education system and why most Indian doctors are going to grow weaker clinically in the coming years. 

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Long post. Bear with me.

After completing MBBS, most of us want to get into PG.  Whoever says just a MBBS degree is enough is joking. The kind of training we receive in MBBS is no where sufficient. (I did not know ACLS protocol or most emergency medicine protocols, till I studied them seriously for PG)

Now coming to the entrance exam itself, NBE changes the pattern every year. No clinical questions at all! How does knowing about HaraKiri and the height a mosquito can fly to, help me in becoming a good doctor. Maybe it increases your GK. Why cant we have a USMLE based paper. Two exams, one part containing first 2 year subjects, conducted on one sunday and the next part next sunday having next 2 year subjects. With more clinical and decision making questions.

But why take 1 month to declare results in the age of lightning fast Google search results?

Next, the dilemma with different courses. DNB, MD/MS and Diploma. Why have Diploma at all? Whats the point? Why cant it be converted to MD. And DNB has low passing rate but is considered clinically a better degree? So why does everyone prefer MD? Because you can pass easily? Then why do most MDs do DNB post MD? Also, why are there MD courses in non clinicals in PG? Why are non clinical taught by doctors? (In developed countries, its usually taught by MSC PhD candidates who are more research and teaching oriented) Why not a nationalized degree? Why not have only clinical PG seats?

Why doesnt the government keep equal number of seats in PG and UG. Why most PG seats in private colleges? America has more PG seats than UG seats. Also the training period being only 3 years for all MD courses? Just 3 years for Ortho and OBG? Every subject should be as long as the subjects course content and training requirement. (America has 5 year for OBG, 4 for Anesthesia etc) And why not Government sponsered PG course? Why ask the students to pay huge fees in private colleges? Rather they should be paid a stipend.

Reservations! (Im a category student) Do we require it in Post Graduation? UG accepted. But specialty PG? Or at least Category students should be made to do extra rural service?

Coaching institutes? I think it is more profitable in opening a coaching institute than being a super specialist.

There are many more such problems. But be determined guys. If not this time, certainly next time. Keep working hard. You will succeed.

RANT OVER.
Dr Chiranjeevi Nayak

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DRACONIAN GOVERNMENT BONDS IN INDIA FOR GOVERNMENT MEDICAL SUPER SPECIALTY SEATS: 10 YEARS OR RS 2 CRORE!
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2/13/2018 01:22:00 PM