Dear Friends,
Mains examination is around the corner. It is quite okay to feel “not okay” at this time. Over the decades, there have been some principles which successful aspirants have applied during their mains examination. The purpose of this blog is to share those principles with you.
1. High on energy on the mains day
Have you ever felt the adrenaline rush just after you take a wicket or hit a sixer in cricket match? In all those games you would have played in childhood or college, you remain
- Focused
- Happy
- Driven
Sports teach us to give our best in any given circumstance, regardless of the outcome of game. We give best because we are driven by energy which keeps us focused. Focus always leads to happiness.
Invoke that same energy for the mains day. It is sitting inside you. Some may ask, how do I feel energized a day before mains? Some may think to take energy drinks. The answer is NO. Positive affirmations, that’s how you invoke the hidden energy inside you. You believe in every word you say about yourself.
“I am feeling confident about my preparation”
“I am ready to give the best inside examination hall”
“I have become the best version of myself”
Give a shout out to yourself. Literally!
2. Attitude inside the mains hall
Till now, you must well verse with difference between aptitude and attitude. As much as your preparation and hard work matters, attitude inside the examination hall is equally important.
While you are seated inside hall, you may
- Avoid the chit chat with fellow aspirants.
- Avoid breaking any rule to avoid intervention by examiner.
- Arrange your pen, admit card, scale, id at the table or inside the table if it has boxes.
- Use the washroom, clean your face and take some sips of water.
- While waiting for papers to be distributed, take some deep breaths with eyes closed/partially open.
- Upon commencement, invoke the energy inside you by giving yourself silent shout out.
As the old saying goes, one day at a time! In the mains examination, it is one question at a time. The golden rule is to focus on one question, give your energetic effort and move on to next question. The key is to not carry the baggage of last question with yourself.
One of persons I knew got stuck after an hour because the GS 2 paper was unexpectedly (or expectedly with UPSC 😊) tough, he believed in the consolidated knowledge base that he had acquired over the years. He prayed to the universe to give him power to give his best and believe it or not, not only he completed the paper, he turned out to be one in top 10 scorers of GS 2 that year.
3. Time management
Over the decade of seeing students writing mains, there is one trait we find common in students who are completing paper on time. It is not just the last hour, it is actually the first hour of your examination which is crucial for timely completion of paper. Successful aspirants write at good speed in first 60 minutes.
One thing that you can practice is writing a question / 3 pages in the morning before you enter in to examination hall. It will get your brain into processing mode. In the last half hour, divide your time with number of questions left and give strictly that much of time to each question (if you know all of them).
Lastly, once you have come out of examination hall, it is advisable to not overanalyze or discuss the paper. Go home, eat light food (choose what you eat wisely) and start revision for next day. Always remember, mains is a marathon and race does not end before last lap. Just like one question at a time, do not carry the baggage of one paper or one day to another. Every paper, every day, every question is fresh beginning.
Peace out,
Loving regards,
Prabhat Upadhyay
Mentor, writer, human potential enthusiast.
