By SushmaBalakrishna, Principal
Preparing for NEET and PU exams is one of the toughest yet most rewarding phases in a student’s journey. The difference between those who simply attempt the exams and those who excel often lies not in intelligence alone, but in mindset, habits and clarity of purpose. Two books ‘Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ and ‘Simon Sinek’s Start With Why’offer practical wisdom that students can apply daily. When combined with the right environment, like at DR Academy, these principles build both academic excellence and personal growth.
1. Begin with Why: Purpose Fuels Discipline
Simon Sinek reminds us that clarity of purpose drives perseverance. For NEET or PU aspirants, “why” cannot just be “to pass an exam.” A meaningful why such as serving society through medicine or pursuing a career in science turns routine study hours into meaningful steps toward a larger vision? Covey echoes this with Begin with the End in Mind: having a clear mental picture of success guides daily actions. Writing down your personal why and visualising your goal college or career keeps motivation alive, even during setbacks.
2. Take Ownership and Be Proactive
Covey’s first habit Be Proactivecalls for responsibility. Instead of blaming difficult papers, poor teaching, or lack of time, effective students focus on what they can control. Owning your preparation means setting a timetable, analysing mistakes in mock tests, and asking for help when needed. Sinek adds another dimension: when your actions connect back to your why, ownership feels less like pressure and more like commitment. This mind-set transforms challenges into opportunities for growth.
3. Focus on What Matters Most
Time is every student’s scarcest resource. Covey’s Put First Things First highlights the need to prioritise high-value taskssolving previous year papers, revising NCERT thoroughly, and working on weak areas over distractions. Students who discipline themselves to focus on essentials often outperform those who are simply busy. Linking this with Sinek’s idea of why, prioritisation becomes sharper, if becoming a doctor is your purpose, then every biology revision session, every physics problem solved, and every chemistry concept mastered directly aligns with that dream.
4. Grow Through Collaboration and Understanding
Learning isn’t a solo race. Covey’s habits of Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, and Synergise underline that collaboration deepens knowledge. Explaining concepts to peers, engaging in study groups, and seeking feedback strengthens understanding while helping others. When students support each other instead of competing blindly, they create an environment of shared progress. This cooperative spirit keeps stress lower and motivation higher, which is vital during long preparation months.
5. Balance, Renewal, and Sustained Energy
Exams test endurance as much as intellect. Covey’s final habit ‘Sharpen the Saw’emphasises self-renewal: physical health, emotional stability, mental clarity, and even spiritual grounding. For students, this means regular breaks, exercise, healthy food, and enough sleep. Purpose again ties in here: if your why is strong, you’ll see rest not as wasted time but as essential preparation for peak performance. A refreshed mind absorbs better, recalls faster, and stays calm in the exam hall.
A Three-Layer Approach to Learning at DR Academy
At DR Academy, these principles are not left to chance they are built into the academic structure. Senior lecturers deliver the core concepts with depth and precision, ensuring students master fundamentals. Junior lecturers remain present during study hours, guiding students, clarifying doubts, and providing personalised support. At the top, the Principal and Academic Dean oversee the academic journey, ensuring rigour, monitoring progress, and addressing learning gaps so that no student is left behind. This three-layer system builds both accountability and confidence, echoing Covey’s structured habits and Sinek’s purpose-driven mindset.
DR Academy, guided by the tagline “Do Right for Genuine Education,” is one of Karnataka’s reputed institutions, established by Shri. P. Devender Reddy (fondly known as DR Sir) along with his five friends all inspirational experts in both +2 regular syllabus and coaching for CET, NEET, JEE Mains, and Advanced. Their vision was to build an ideal platform for competitive exams where academic excellence is matched by confidence, discipline, and courage. Over the years, the management’s zeal and the support of a dedicated team of academicians and faculty have transformed DR Academy into one of south’s blooming educational institutions. Set in a serene campus with modern infrastructure, it offers more than preparation it nurtures students to embrace the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. By combining Covey’s habits, Sinek’s focus on why, and the Academy’s structured guidance, students are not only prepared to clear exams but are shaped for lifelong achievement.
