DECIDING what discipline one should pursue to achieve objectives in life has become a dilemma for the students, who spend a whole lot of time solving the riddle rather than focussing on the studies.

Right after they complete their matriculation and near the completion of the intermediate level, a massive number of students are encouraged by their parents to pursue the medical field. Some are even ‘told’ to do that. One way or the other, students also get excited at the prospect of getting an MBBS degree because that is just about the only thing drummed into their minds.

They work hard to be able to get a foot in the door, but owing to stringent competition, a small fraction of the aspirants get in before the door gets slam shut on the rest. Most of those left out spend another year to give it another try because in the pursuit of Plan A, they just did not formulate Plan B. Even their parents never encouraged them to do any such thing, just asking them to sustain their focus.

Things being what they are, is it surprising that the cases of depression among the students are on the rise? Even suicide bids are not uncommon.

Life is about having a Plan B in place, and career options, medical or otherwise, are no exception to the rule. One should keep focussing on the Plan A howsoever hard one may want, but it helps to know that life will not stop if the plan fails for whatever reason. It never does. It never should.

Ejaz Pandrani
Dera Murad Jamali

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2021