Dear Fathima, I want to take a minute to appreciate your guts to take a year off for preparing. That speaks volumes of your passion and dedication towards your goal. In my words that itself is a motivating act for you and many other aspirants. You must have heard many rags to riches stories and success after multiple failure stories. I am not going to narrate them for you. Everyone's life is different and so are the struggles. What inspires you might not be so inspiring for another. What doesn't motivate you might be a good motivation for another. All I would suggest you to do is always believe in yourself. Rain or shine, believe in yourself. One week you might be a topper in the class in the practise exam and another week you might have not fared well. Yet, believe in yourself. Your friends might boast about their preparations and your peers might boast of all the good things happening because they continued their education. But dont panic. Believe in yourself. And never ever give up. Believe in the confidence that allowed you take this step. Believe in your instincts that advised you to go ahead. Also believe in the support of your family who were gracious enough to give you the required financial and moral support. If they didnt think that you are worth this, they wouldnt have allowed you to take a pause in this fast paced world. Go ahead and believe in your hardwork that has brought you this far in your accademic world. All that I have for you is "Believe in yourself." Good luck!