‘I have my roots in school and wings for the world’

He is in the most sought-after noble profession in the world,  saving lives with the help of his medical expertise. Meet Swapnil Singh, who passed out of Apeejay School, Kharghar, in 2014. In a candid interview, Swapnil shares his journey from school corridors to hospital passages.

What are you doing professionally now?

I am working as a Senior Resident Doctor at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, in the Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care. I have completed my MD programme from the same institute and am planning to pursue a Super Speciality in Intensive Care Medicine.

 Share your favourite nostalgia from school days.

There are honestly too many memories to choose from; where do I even begin! The best part of school life was definitely the lunch breaks, with the games period being a close second. I also have some great memories from the school bus rides back home. I do miss the ‘pen fights’ we had during our free time! Truly lovely and unforgettable days!

Any advice for school students?

Enjoy your school life to the fullest; these moments will never come back. At the same time, remember that the foundation of one’s career is laid during school years. We are truly fortunate to be part of the balanced and holistic curriculum provided by Apeejay School, Kharghar, which nurtures both academics and overall personality development. Be good in academics but excellent in life skills!

Share a few useful preparation tips for medical aspirants.

One thing I can say with complete certainty is this: pursue medicine only if you are genuinely interested. Do not choose it for fame, money, or due to parental or peer pressure. It is a long and demanding journey (I’m 29 and still studying!). As far as preparation is concerned, the exam pattern may have changed significantly since 2014, when I cleared NEET-UG, but one strategy that always works is thoroughly reading NCERT textbooks, especially for Biology. Solving the previous 10–15 years’ question papers is also highly advisable. Please don’t get stressed about the exam; the real exam is the entire life ahead of you!

How has AI redefined the medical field?

To be honest, I have not experienced a significant impact of AI in my day-to-day clinical practice yet. However, AI holds tremendous potential, particularly in diagnostic services (reading and interpretation of Scans, molecular biology are some examples). Another area where AI is extremely useful is academics, such as conducting in-depth searches and reviewing large volumes of information in a short time, though it should always be used judiciously and with a pinch of salt.

What are your goals and dreams in life?

Service, research, and education. Service for mankind, research for the love of medicine and education for all. Having said this, I will always remain grateful to my school for shaping not just my academic foundation, but also my values and outlook towards life. To all the students reading this, believe in yourself, stay curious, work hard, and never be afraid to dream big. No matter where life takes you, remain grounded and compassionate. Your school years are the beginning of a beautiful journey; make the most of them.