Feeling After Clearing Competitive Exams: Balancing Success and Happiness

As an experienced educator and competitive exam preparation coach, I have witnessed the emotions and experiences that come with clearing multiple competitive exams. This journey from securing admission in DoMS IIT M with JMET to appearing for various tests like CLAT and UGAT, I have realized that while success can be exhilarating, it's important to strike a balance between professional achievements and personal happiness.

My Journey with Competitive Exams

My academic journey began with clearing the Jawaharlal Nehru Management Entrance Test (JMET) and getting admitted to the Development Management School (DoMS) at IIT Madras for my MBA from 2006 to 2008. I also received offers from three other prestigious institutions during the same period. This was followed by my appearance in the Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GCET) in 2006 and securing the top position.

After completing my MBA, I embarked on a new venture, starting a coaching center for undergraduate entrance exams in Law, Hotel Management, Business Management, Mass Communication, among others in 2008. In 2009, I appeared for the GCET again and achieved an overall rank of 2. In 2015, I appeared for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for a 5-year integrated LLB program and secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 50. I repeated the same with the CLAT in 2016 and 2017, clearing these entrance exams multiple times.

Exam Trends and Experiences

My continuous participation in these exams is not just about achieving rankings. It is also about staying updated with the latest trends in the question papers and gaining firsthand experience of the tests. Many University level entrance exams include a section on General Knowledge (GK) and Current Affairs, which I do not actively prepare for. Consequently, my scores in these sections are largely from the remaining sections of the paper.

Every time I receive the results, my initial feeling is one of elation and joy. However, this joyful moment is often followed by a reality check from my loved ones. My mother and wife, for example, tend to dismiss these achievements, suggesting the need for improvement in the areas that I don't focus on.

Although these experiences are fulfilling, they also highlight the need to balance professional success with personal happiness. Achieving high ranks in these exams can certainly accelerate your career, but it can also detract from other important aspects of life.

Impact on Personal Life

There are several potential consequences of focusing too much on competitive exams:

Missing out on making cherished memories from your school days. Skipping meaningful experiences of being in a loving relationship during college. Missing out on the joy of family dinners and personal connections. Missed opportunities to explore your hidden talents and personal growth.

My personal belief is that true success lies in being content and happy in life. While achieving success in exams can bring joy, chasing them blindly and to the detriment of personal life will not bring the feeling of contentment.

Leading a Balanced Life

It is essential to follow your dreams while maintaining a healthy balance. If your dream is to excel in competitive exams, then make sure to allocate time for personal happiness and growth. Success is not just about achieving high ranks but also about enjoying the journey and the experiences that life offers.

Make a conscious effort to strike a balance between your professional and personal lives. This will not only improve your quality of life but also help you achieve long-term success and happiness.