Pascoal Vaz
Every year, thousands of students across India prepare for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) with a single dream of becoming doctors. For many families, clearing NEET is seen as the ultimate measure of success. Coaching classes begin as early as Classes 8, 9 or 10. Parents spend lakhs of rupees, mortgage land, sell jewellery and make enormous sacrifices in the hope that their child will secure a medical seat.
While these sacrifices come from love and ambition, they also create an invisible burden that many children struggle to carry.
The pressure to crack NEET does not come only from parents. Society plays an equally significant role. Relatives constantly ask about ranks and admissions. Neighbours compare children. Schools often celebrate only toppers. Coaching institutes market success stories while rarely speaking about the emotional toll on students. In such an environment, many young minds begin to believe that failing NEET means failing in life.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
A single examination can never define a person’s worth, intelligence or future. There are countless careers in healthcare, science, research, biotechnology, pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing, psychology and many other fields where students can build meaningful and successful lives. Medicine is only one path, not the only destination.
Parents must recognise that their role does not end with paying coaching fees. Their greatest responsibility is to provide emotional support. If a child does not qualify for NEET because of a difficult paper, an unexpected situation, poor performance or any other reason, the first words they should hear at home are, “You did your best. We are proud of your effort. We will explore other opportunities together.”
Such reassurance can make all the difference.
Children should also be taught an important life lesson that is often overlooked today. Failure is not something to fear. Every successful person has experienced setbacks before achieving success. The old saying that “failures are stepping stones to success” remains as relevant today as ever. Learning to accept disappointment, recover from it and move forward is a far greater achievement than merely securing high marks.
Ironically, the pressure does not end after students clear NEET. Medical education itself is highly demanding. Many students struggle to cope with the rigorous academic workload, long hours and emotional stress. Reports of mental health challenges and even suicides among medical students remind us that success in NEET is not the end of life’s struggles. It is only the beginning of another demanding journey.
This is why mental well-being deserves equal importance alongside academic excellence.
Students need to understand that the human mind is one of life’s greatest strengths. Positive thinking does not eliminate difficulties, but it helps people face them with resilience. A hopeful mind sees possibilities where a fearful mind sees only obstacles. Confidence, gratitude and self belief enable young people to recover from setbacks and continue pursuing their dreams, even if the path changes.
Parents also have a responsibility to be honest with their children about the family’s financial situation. Many parents silently shoulder enormous debts to fund coaching classes without discussing the reality with their children. Open conversations about finances help children understand the value of money, develop realistic expectations and make informed decisions about education and careers.
Most importantly, every child should know that they are loved for who they are, not for the rank they achieve. No examination is worth sacrificing mental health, family relationships or life itself.
NEET is an important examination, but it is not life. Life offers countless opportunities for those willing to learn, adapt and persevere. Success may take different forms for different people, but every child deserves the chance to discover it without carrying the crushing weight of unrealistic expectations.
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