PANAJI: Anushka Kulkarni, a student of Aakash BYJU’S from Goa, scored 705 in NEET UG 2022 and secured AIR 24 and became the Goa state topper. Anushka, whose father is a business consultant, and mother, a banker, is hopeful of obtaining a seat in AIIMS Delhi, and to become a neurosurgeon in the future.
Anushka joined Aakash BYJU’S for NEET coaching, after she decided to become a doctor in Class XI. Until then, she could not fix her mind on any one discipline for higher studies. “After attending a month of higher secondary classes, I got convinced that I liked biology more than I liked maths.” Initially, her score in mock tests at Aakash BYJU’S was only in the range of 500. However, following her error analysis and changes in test preparation, Anushka started scoring 700+.
“I have no hesitation in attributing my success to Aakash BYJU’S test series. The frequency of tests and quality of questions were very helpful,” Anushka points out. Weeks before the NEET exam, she was giving at least one mock test a day. Anushka also mentions that anytime access to her teachers is another great thing about Aakash BYJU’S. “Online classes were very good. My teachers ensured that we really understood everything. They were there for me anytime. They promptly cleared my doubts or explained things on WhatsApp even after class hours.”
Anushka had her own share of hardest moments during her preparation. “Many times I had genuinely believed that I would not be able to crack the NEET exam. Once I was lying in bed, the whole day, thinking I could not do this,” she recalls. However, she could overcome her low moods by talking to friends. “I reminded myself that I should focus on what I could do, and stop bothering myself too much about the outcome. I also switched my pattern of studying. I started getting up early and stopped staying up late at night for my studies.”
Anushka’s family is from Karnataka. She was born in Maharashtra and brought up in Goa. “My parents are my role models. I inherited hard work from my mother, and developed a particular way of thinking from my father. My parents did everything to support me. At times even when I wanted to skip a class, they assured me that I needed a break. They allowed me to watch TV and be on social media. I could go out for a walk whenever I wanted,” she says.
On her advice to NEET aspirants, she says, “Follow what works for you. You do not have to study 10 or 15 hours a day just because someone told you to do so. In my case, I studied only for 6 or 7 hours a day. Also, never be hard on yourself. You do not have to cut yourself off from the rest of the world. I was on social media almost till the end. I watched TV and went out with friends two or three times a week.”
Commenting on the success of Anushka Kulkarni, Aakash Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash BYJU’S, said: “We had no doubt that Anushka was going to bring results that would make us proud and inspire other students. She is a very committed student. Her parents were living in different cities. Even when she had to travel to be with her mother or father, she never missed out on her preparations. She was in touch with the local centres and gave tests at home. We are happy that students like Anuskha find our test series – be it Intensive Test Series or Final Test Series – an important factor in their success. Our staff are always willing to go out of their way to make sure that the students are on the right track. We wish Anushka all the best with her future endeavours.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Seen (left to right) – Imran Khan, Branch Head, Margao; Arshad Haroon, Assistant Directior, Goa; Kajal Arora, Acad Head Panaji; Shreya Ramchandani, Anushka Kulkarni, Arya Prabhugaonkar, Vedant Majik, Arnav Bardodkar, Gautam Sharma, Acad Head, Margao.