Alumnus Rishabh Singh Shares His NEET Journey with Class 9 and 10 Students
Curiosity filled the room as students eagerly raised questions on subjects, pressure and future plans during an interactive session led by Rishabh Singh (Batch 2024–25). A NEET qualifier with an All India Rank of 1917 and State Rank 49, the alumnus returned to Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow to conduct two sessions with students of Classes 10 and 9, sharing insights from his own preparation journey.
A Reality Check for Class 10 Students
Rishabh began his first session with Class 10 students by understanding where they stood. He asked about subject choices and future plans, with students raising hands for Maths, Biology, Humanities and Commerce. As the discussion naturally moved towards JEE and NEET, he addressed a common misconception head-on.
Emphasising the value of staying connected to the school environment, he encouraged students to remain present and engaged in regular classes, pointing out that the teachers at Jaipuria focus deeply on concepts rather than rote learning.
He shared that in the NEET batch, teachers also teach directly from NCERT textbooks, ensuring that students are well prepared for competitive exams while also meeting board requirements.
Rishabh also offered a reality check to students considering this path. He urged them to choose the NEET or JEE batch only after being honest with themselves about their goals. According to him, the specialised stream demands grit, consistency and a willingness to show up every day. “This path is not about occasional effort,” he conveyed, stressing that success comes from staying regular and not distancing oneself from the learning process.
“Any competitive exam isn’t cracked just by being a genius,” he told the students. “The only way to crack it is by being consistent. You have to study every day whether you feel motivated or not.”
He urged students not to wait for motivation to strike, stressing the importance of routine. “Start with at least one hour a day. Once you get into the rhythm you’ll keep going. You need a schedule, a rhythm and a goal. Dream big but work bigger.”
When questions came up about syllabus differences and preparation, Rishabh reassured students that understanding matters more than the board they study under. “For Physics and Chemistry it’s all about concepts. If your concepts are clear you can solve questions from any book,” he said, encouraging students to focus on learning rather than worrying about sources.
Sharing his own journey, Rishabh said he decided to pursue medicine midway through Class 10 after which his preparation became focused and structured. He spoke about balancing school studies with external coaching, admitting it was demanding but manageable with careful planning and clear priorities.
On exam pressure, he reminded students that anxiety is part of the process. “It’s natural to feel anxious. That’s why mock tests are so important. Every mock test prepares you for the final exam day,” he said, urging students to take as many tests as possible.
Starting Early with Class 9 Students
In his interaction with Class 9 students, Rishabh shifted the focus to early awareness and habit-building. He encouraged them to start thinking about subjects and career paths early without feeling overwhelmed by the scale of competitive exams.
Reinforcing his core message, he told them that consistency always beats intensity. “You don’t need to study for long hours right now. Even one focused hour a day is enough to build discipline,” he said.
Students also raised concerns about anxiety and concentration. Rishabh advised them to normalise stress rather than fear it. According to him, repeated exposure to test situations through mock exams helps students become comfortable with pressure over time.
He also spoke honestly about strengths and weaknesses, reminding students that no subject remains weak forever. “Things stay weak only if you don’t study them. If you give time they become strong,” he said.
On improving study quality, his advice was practical and relatable. “Don’t sit for three hours straight. Study for 90 minutes, take a break and then start again. Set a goal for each session. Quality matters more than counting hours.”
Learning Beyond Books
Across both sessions, Rishabh also reflected on the importance of personal growth alongside academics. While studies took priority during his preparation years, he admitted that co-curricular exposure plays a role later in college life. He encouraged students to participate in activities if their academics were not affected, calling it an important part of overall development.
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