A must DO is Extra-curricular because they are a big morale booster.
Vikrant Mahajani
Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, Sion
batch 2016
I YEAR Topper
rank 1
Congratulations on achieving such an amazing feat. Tell us a bit about yourself. Please also tell us your individual marks in each subject.
Hi, my name is Vikrant Mahajani. I’m a 4th semester student at LTMMC & GH, Sion. I love football, music and am an amateur photographer.
Anatomy: 158/200
Physiology: 158/200
Biochemistry: 172/200
So, when all of this is new and the rest of us are still busy figuring the head and tail of the subject,how did you tackle and master the syllabus?
Like most of my peers, I did not study from the get go. I was still in the vibe of a big med school so the first couple months just breezed past. Around about November, I started studying and once I got the hang of it, it didn’t feel boring and I quite liked what I was learning.
Did you have a set schedule, a time table that you stuck to? What were the daily hours that you put in self study ?
I made a time table only about 2 weeks before my exams. I would read about 2 hours a day post college and that’s about it
Is there any particular way in which you study or any special notes that you make? Maybe a different approach than what students normally do?
I don’t make notes per se. The reason being I think making notes, I will leave out some important points and ultimately end up reading the book again. Although I form a pattern of correlation between chapters. I link one important concept/scientist/phenomenon in one topic with another. This helps me keep in touch with multiple topics at the same time.
Do you have any tips on the Do’s and Don’ts of it? How do you manage to keep yourself motivated when studies start taking a toll on you? Are there any ‘distractions’ that actually help you in the process?
Um, can’t say for the do’s and don’ts because it’s quite subjective. A must DO is Extra-curricular because they are a big morale booster.
I kept myself motivated by keeping a countdown of the days remaining and just keep giving the best I can.
I find an hour of TV shows great. I usually have a couple series I’m watching simultaneously so it helps.
Also how important do you think is attending lectures in college? Considering half of the students are either busy on their phones or sleeping, does it really help?
I attended a lot of lectures. Being from an ISC 12th background, it was a hardwired fact, that attending lectures is a must. The logic being, sitting in class, even if we retain 10% of what was said, it still gives a great advantage to us
Was there any help that you acquired while preparing for the exams? Like any visual aids any professional guidance? Or those little tit bits that the professors tell us but none other than the toppers pay attention to? Please share with us.
I used to ask my professors for doubts but nothing else as such.
During exams, a morning start is essential for me.
How vital is the Question Bank during exams? Does it come highly recommended or you advice thorough reading of the text and having confound knowledge of the subject?
Question bank is beneficial post thorough knowledge of the subject. Else it’s just a key which concises already concised matter.
Could you suggest a method of studying or kind of discipline that should be followed during exam time?
During exams, a morning start is essential for me. The only discipline I follow is I don’t consume junk food at the time.
What do you do to keep yourself kinda stress free? Go for a swim, go for a walk or just wiggle under the blanket and fall asleep or what?
I play football. I hang around with friends and yes, I sleep a lot.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities, be it sports, cultural or academics? How do you manage it along with your routine academics?
Yes. I play football, do photography and participate in multiple quizzes. It is difficult to manage at first but it’s essential that we take some time out for other activities coz they boost academics as well. It’s a healthy synergism.
Could you give some important pointers on Exam writing skills? And also how should one prepare for a practical exam? Any special tips for the people of your college who would be reading this?
Write as fast as you can and draw as much as you can.
I do not study differently for practicals. Just read up the procedures and a bit about the topic.
What is the one major thing that you would like to change in today’s curriculum?
Maybe a little more clinical application.
So, do you have any parting thoughts? Like disclosing that secret mantra that you chanted or that special brand of energy drink you savored? Just kidding. Seriously though. Anything at all?
Not really. Um, focus is pretty much everything.
P.S: Writing inspirational quotes on your wall helps.