Staying away from social media helped me focus, says Nawanshahr's teen topper

While many of her peers spend hours scrolling through social media, 15-year-old Seerat Sandhu from Nawanshahr has no social media account — and she believes that’s exactly what helped her stay focused and stress-free.

Seerat, who topped the district with 99.6 per cent marks in the CBSE Class X exams declared on May 13, now wants to become a psychiatrist to help youngsters battling anxiety. “I have seen youngsters my age dealing with anxiety, which is very common. It is due to study pressure and the constant need to perform better. That’s why I want to study psychiatry to help people like them,” she told The Tribune.

A firm believer in balance and discipline, Seerat said, “My focus is to achieve my goal and become a successful doctor. Social media can wait.”

A basketball player, avid reader and painter, Seerat excels in extracurricular activities alongside academics. She lives in a joint family and says her upbringing, guided by strong family and moral values, has been central to her success. “My parents never put pressure on me. They always made sure I wasn’t under stress, which gave me confidence and a sense of responsibility. My grandparents have also played a big role — they motivate me with stories from their youth,” she shared.

Seerat is the daughter of doctor parents — her father, Dr Jotninder Singh Sandhu, is a psychiatrist and her mother is a dermatologist. Her elder brother is currently pursuing MBBS at DMC Ludhiana. Inspired by her family, Seerat always dreamed of entering the medical field.

Two dogs at home serve as her biggest stress busters, she says. “They lift my mood after long study hours,” she added. To unwind, Seerat enjoys painting and often doodles in her notebooks. She’s also fond of listening to debates and reading fiction and fantasy novels. “I’m greatly influenced by my brother, who also scored 99.6 percent in Class X. He reads a lot, and I’ve always looked up to him,” she said.

Her father expressed immense pride in her achievement. “I’m getting calls from media and well-wishers. It’s a great feeling that can’t be described in words,” said Dr Sandhu. “Both my children are choosing to serve humanity. My wife and I couldn’t be prouder.”