As NEET PG 2024 is announced, it can be a turning point for many aspiring doctors. If the rank is not as good as they wanted, then they may be in a dilemma whether to join the rank secured or drop this year and prepare for NEET PG 2025. More than that, things get even worse if the candidate’s parents do not want them to take a drop. If you are facing the same problem, here is a detailed guide to help you weigh your options and come to the correct decision.
Understanding Your Parent’s Concerns
To make the right decision, first, know why your parents might object to the idea of dropping a year. Most often, it’s anxiety and fear of the unknown that drives them to oppose such decisions. They might be stressed that the competition may be fiercer next year or you may not end up improving your rank. This is a natural fact and very much related to the future. However, it’s important to recognise that this level of concern is exaggerated at this point. In the past, most of the students who appeared in NEET PG usually improved their ranks after preparation.
Social Pressure
Another reason, particularly for female students, is marriage pressure to settle down and start a family. You need to acknowledge that you have already invested a couple of years and effort to become a medical professional. Your career is for life, your marriage is a personal incident and should not interfere with how you plan your future as a professional.
You have to differentiate between such personal incidents and your career goals.
How to decide if dropping a year is worth it?
Deciding whether to drop a year or not should be entirely your decision, but you need to understand and analyse a few key factors before making up your mind.
Be Practical and Confident
If you feel confident that with another year of dedicated preparation, you can improve your rank, then dropping a year might be the right decision for you. Professional medical life runs for decades, and whether you start your postgraduate studies a year earlier or later, it doesn’t affect your lifelong career. What is most important is that you decide upon something which is complementary to your career goals and aspirations.
Don’t Think About Others
No one is going to ask you in the future if you started your MD on the first or the second attempt. What will matter is your dedication, expertise, and the kind of treatment you provide to your patients. So, if you feel that another year of preparation will ensure a far better rank, it is worth investing. Making an Informed Decision
Standing Up for Yourself
The time has come in your life when you need to start making decisions about what is right for you, even if it means going against the trend. Your parents no doubt have your best interests at heart, but they may not be quite aware of what’s best for your future career. Communication about your goals and plans is required with them. Convince them that your decision to drop a year is, as a matter of fact, a planned strategy for your professional goals.
Following Your Heart
One of the biggest regrets reported in life is not following one’s heart. If your instinct screams that you can do better and an extra year of preparation will do that magic for you, then follow that path. You will at least have this in your head that you at least tried, although things didn’t turn out the way they should have. A lot of times, regret comes not from the result of making a gutsy move but from a chance not taken.
Additional Insight: Our respected Faculty Dr. Praveen Tripathi discusses this in an understanding way and advice on how to look upon this decision. You can see his discussion here: Watch Now.
Conclusion
Whether to drop a year or not after getting a less-than-desired NEET PG result is a deeply personal call. It is a tightrope walk between your long-term career goals and the short-term apprehensions, and pressures from the family. You will have to cautiously weigh all the factors: your ambitions, possible gains, and the help coming your way.
The decision is yours and what you feel will be good for your future.
Trust yourself, stay focused, and move on with the path chosen, befitting your career aspirations. Wish you all the best for decision-making and NEET PG preparation for 2025!