Sitting on my couch, binge-watching Strangers Things 2 on Netflix was not able to take me away from the reality of the day. It was 5 in the evening and besides Halloween; NPTE results were on my mind. Pulse racing faster as I knew that results would soon be up. With all my willpower, with my sense of fake composure, I could not stop but to hit Alt+Tab to peek into FSBPT site. I kept on hitting refresh again and again till voila! the screen gave in to my persistence and showed PASSED...............................
The overwhelming sense of joy, the realization of the result was slowly sinking in as my heart and tear glands gave in. The months of hard work had not failed me. I made it in my FIRST ATTEMPT.
Today, I am a proud licensed Physical Therapist in the USA. It wasn't a fairytale, but a struggle and series of compromises which led to this picture-perfect ending. The last one year has been one adventure after another; getting married, moving to the US, studying for CLEPs, securing admission in DPT , having DPT midterms just a day before and after NPTE, and the final feather in my hat, clearing NPTE. :) Rollercoaster indeed.
It may sound methodic and sequential but it was an emotional catastrophe. I almost had a nervous breakdown a week before the exam. The thought of postponing my exam kept coming back like a nightmare. But it’s a fact no student will ever be ready for any exam let alone an important one as NPTE. We all have thoughts in our head saying ‘I can do it next time’. But you have to put your foot down. Trust your gut which tells you to seize the day with all you have. I did not achieve this all by myself. I had my family, my friends and my most importantly my study partner who made this day happen. And also thank my husband, for being so supportive.
I genuinely thank my mentor, Bhupinder Singh, for guiding and supporting me throughout the period with his knowledge and experience. Taking the classes with Final Frontier, was undoubtedly my best decision. Though like all the new students, I was skeptical before enrolment but through a recommendation from a trusted friend, I joined in, putting aside all my apprehensions and hesitations. With every class, my confidence in him and my decision increased. I felt I am in right company and mentored by a right teacher. Dr. Bhupinder's knowledge and patience is immense but his virtue that makes the most difference is his jest to help us, his students, to succeed. I remember when I contacted him, a year back when I was about to start my prep, he guided me with the best of information on every aspect.
The best part about his classes is the A/V collaboration, which gives an atmosphere of a live classroom. Making the whole experience more interactive and very professional. Another very important aspect of his tutoring is his periodic 1-1 weakness classes. I felt 1-1 classes played the utmost essential part in my success; he made sure he knew every single student of his class and worked on each one of us addressing weaknesses and devising a personal strategy. His individual attention helped me immensely with my preparation. I remember right at the start when he asked me "What is your goal?" and "What are your fears?".
I call him my Mentor more than a teacher as he encouraged me, guided me at every step, showed me the path to walk and work upon. We can attend a number of classes, and spend thousands of dollars but at the end, we are once who have to strike the decisive blow. So the mentor matters.
Few lines from Robert Frost comes to my mind. "Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."
Special thanks to my Licensed PT friends, who all also cracked NPTE is their first attempt and helped me stay positive. - Ekleen, Yogesh , Mansi , Krima , Rashmeet.
My story wouldn't be so pretty without help and care of My Study Partner (Amruta), my roommate (Prarthana),final frontier team- Gowre Anurekha Arunachalam, my genius friends from India who had always stood by my side to make this happen- Richa , Gaurav , Deepak , Tejas , Suman , Hetal, Ayaz & Venus.