‘Follow your passion’, ‘Make a career out of what you love doing’, ‘Pursue your goals and aspirations’. These are all phrases we are familiar with, however, they are easier said than done. Many students studying in South Asia are faced with challenges of societal and family pressures, and poor educational infrastructures while striving to pursue their passions. In this session, we will discuss the various obstacles students face in pursuing their academic interests and career paths. We will brainstorm methods of navigating around these issues whilst highlighting the importance of self-reflection to overcome these concerns.