Preparing for JEE or NEET is a high-pressure journey filled with long hours, endless problem-solving, and emotional highs and lows. In the midst of this intense grind, it’s natural to look around and see how others are doing. A friend solved a paper faster. Someone else scored higher on a mock test. Your coaching buddy is completing the syllabus months ahead of you. And suddenly, you feel like you’re falling behind. But here’s a reality check: comparing yourself to other aspirants is not only unnecessary—it’s actually damaging.
Here’s why comparing yourself to others can derail your journey and what you can do instead.
1. No Two Journeys Are the Same
Every student comes from a different background—different learning styles, schooling experiences, emotional support systems, and access to resources. Just because someone finishes a chapter earlier or scores a higher rank in a test series doesn’t mean they’re better prepared overall. Their strengths might be your weaknesses, and vice versa.
When you compare, you overlook the uniqueness of your own path. Instead of growing, you end up imitating someone else’s rhythm—which may not work for you.
2. Comparison Breeds Unnecessary Stress
Stress is already a significant part of any competitive exam preparation. But when you constantly measure your performance against others, you add another layer of anxiety. You begin to doubt your abilities, lose confidence, and may even face burnout.
This kind of stress is not productive—it doesn’t push you forward. It traps you in a cycle of worry, distraction, and self-criticism.
3. It Kills Your Focus
When your eyes are on someone else’s progress, your attention drifts from what matters—your syllabus, your mistakes, and your pace. Time spent thinking about how someone else is doing is time taken away from your own improvement.
Instead of fixing a weak topic, you’re wondering why your friend is faster at solving Physics numericals. That distraction can cost you precious marks in the actual exam.
4. You Only See the Surface
Let’s say someone posts on social media: “Completed Organic Chemistry in 10 days!” It looks impressive. But what you don’t see is how well they understood it, how many questions they got wrong in practice tests, or whether they’ll retain the concepts a month later.
Most comparisons are based on half-truths. We often compare our behind-the-scenes struggles with someone else’s highlight reel. It’s not a fair match—and it’s not worth your energy.
5. It Lowers Motivation Over Time
At first, comparison might seem like a motivator—“If they can do it, I can too!” But over time, especially when you feel like you’re not catching up, it chips away at your morale. You may start feeling that no matter how hard you try, it’s never enough.
This mindset is toxic. It turns learning into a competition rather than a journey of growth—and that’s not what real education is about.
6. Healthy Competition Is Good—But There’s a Limit
Yes, there is such a thing as healthy competition. It can push you to do better, give you a sense of community, and inspire you. But the moment it turns into envy, insecurity, or an obsession with outperforming others, it stops being healthy.
The focus should always be on improving yourself, not on beating someone else.
What Should You Do Instead?
Now that you know why comparison is unhelpful, here’s what you can do instead:
a. Set Personal Goals
Break down your big goals (e.g., “Score 650+ in NEET”) into small, actionable weekly targets. These could include completing a chapter, solving a set number of MCQs, or improving your accuracy in mock tests. When you meet your own goals, you’ll stay motivated—without needing external validation.
b. Track Your Own Progress
Maintain a progress journal. Note where you started, what you’ve improved, and what still needs attention. Seeing your growth over time builds confidence—and it’s far more productive than comparing marks with others.
c. Celebrate Small Wins
Did you finally understand a tough topic? Did your mock test accuracy improve by 5%? Celebrate it! These small wins keep the momentum going and remind you that you’re moving closer to your goal.
d. Limit Social Media and Group Chats
It’s easy to feel insecure after seeing someone’s “study vlog” or test results posted on social media. Take regular social media detoxes during your prep months. Also, mute or leave group chats that cause more stress than support.
e. Build a Supportive Circle
Surround yourself with peers who uplift you. Share study tips, clear doubts together, and encourage each other without turning it into a race. A positive peer group can be a powerful motivator.
f. Focus on the Process
Instead of obsessing over ranks, focus on improving your understanding, solving problems more effectively, and revising smartly. The process is in your control—the results will follow.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for JEE or NEET is already challenging—you don’t need the added burden of constant comparison. Remember: “You are not in competition with anybody except yourself; plan to outdo your past, not other people.” So take a deep breath. Stay focused. Keep learning. Keep improving.
And most importantly, trust the process.