CSE 2021: Plan / Strategy / Daily Routine
Hello 2021 aspirants. I thought it would be nice if we can share what we are doing and intend to do with one another here.
This could be a thread for discussing everything prep for 2021.
No one method fits all but to see the plans and progress made by fellow aspirants might help with the finer details of preparation and also keep one on track.
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Newspaper is done. Now targets-
Ancient Upinder Singh 15 pages- Notes
Medieval IGNOU 1 chap- Notes
Ancient Mapping
Government Schemes
As the great talented, maestro I am, none of the targets were achieved and on top if it, have not been able to sleep properly. Maybe exam stress. So next day automatically goes bust. Now here is the catch, if I sleep again in the noon to cover up for the lost sleep, in the night I cannot sleep and cycle will continue endlessly.
Anyway, the same targets are being rolled over for today.
Today was better. Instead of the usual 9:30-10:00 am, woke up at 8. No afternoon naps did good for me.
I Will continue the same and in 2-3 days will reach my target of 7.
Having completed the newspaper,The targets would be--
1) Ancient- 15 pages
2)Medieval- Ignou chap 2.
3)Government Schemes
4)If time permits, a security/disaster management class.Woke up at 7:45. Sleep has been better. Getting that early sunlight too. However, if anybody asks me why the tan, I will blame it on you guys! XD
Coming back,
Paper Done.
Now 1 chap of IGNOU
Upinder singh 15 pages
Security( mains 365 2020) 2 issues.
Woke up at 7:45 today too.
Not much productive till now as was trying for a vaccination slOT. Got one. Yaaay!
Now with targets-
Newspaper
Revision and analysis of the Week Gone by.
23/05
11:25-3:00pm newspaper+c.a. class(that is pending now for a long time)
3:40-8:00 revise art and culture (wind it up)
8:40- 12:00 class notes medieval india
I should finish the above tasks. Atleast make a deliberate effort in doing so. No escaping these targets via any sort of distractions. Will update at night.
Update-
pt365 SnT - revised it =1:30 hrs
PT365 IR -30 pages =2.5 hrs
Newspaper - 1hr
The hrs I study was of quality. But need to push on quantity. I will start early from tomorrow onwards. Closing art and culture, ancient and medieval for now. Will get back to the leftovers in next round.
Wish to keep this day random.
During my mains exam in the past 3 yrs have realised the importance of taking a guilt free break day. But pandmic has made us homebound.
Screens don't enthuse me anymore, hate being driven by algorithms.
Toh books hi sahi.. Want to add some interesting stuff to my notes, ethics and essay.
Target - 7 hrs
.
Things to complete in the medium term.
I’ve this habit of jumping from one unfinished topic to another. This is an attempt to get rid of this problem. I am writing down some of the things that should be done first. Only after these are done, I should take any new topic.
PSIR: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Justice, Equality, Rights, Democracy: Study, Write answers to all PYQs, Write 2 backlog tests on these topics; Keep flashcards exam-ready; Commissions
GS-IV: Complete 10 Video Lectures; Their Handouts; Read up on the internet about issues mentioned; Write answers to 20 Ethics PYQs
GS-III: Topic 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10; Static, Current; MCQs from 550 Booklet
GS-II: Topic 11, 14, 15 & 16; Write backlog tests
Current Affairs: All backlog econ & governance Current Affairs videos
Society: Women; Prepare the topic also for essay purpose
Essay: Test-1: Video, Readings & The Test itself; Essay fodder for protests, farm laws, agriculture, democratic backsliding, civil society, poverty, inequality, health & education; crisis as opportunity; privatization; atmanirbharta; digital divide, online learning, technology & education; ATU: last three months
Art & Culture: Handouts on Religions of India, Indian paintings, Indian Music; Make flashcards
---
Chill Reads (Not to be counted in total hours studied): Three Chapters each from ‘The Difficulty of Being Good’, Poor Economic & Accidental India; Intro from Amartya Sen’s book
You can do it! Common Gear up! Give all of you have..
Villanelle,I am struggling here to study for long hrs. So i need some suggestions. How do i increase my duration of study sessions? What should i do on breaks so that i get back to studying without (or with less) resistance.
What do you do in your breaks or for how long do you study in one go?
Any suggestions?
I was a night owl - studying at the 11th hr for every test or exam. But this time i am trying to study over the day, with a schedule and planning.
AJ_,I am struggling here to study for long hrs. So i need some suggestions. How do i increase my duration of study sessions? What should i do on breaks so that i get back to studying without (or with less) resistance.
What do you do in your breaks or for how long do you study in one go?
Any suggestions?
I was a night owl - studying at the 11th hr for every test or exam. But this time i am trying to study over the day, with a schedule and planning.
I'll try to share some things that work for me. Maybe some of this would be useful for you too. I'll try to answer your queries one by one
1) How do i increase my duration of study sessions?
Do you mean the duration of one session or overall duration?
I'm someone who finds it difficult to sit for long continuously so I always have short/medium length sessions. One good way is the Pomodoro technique. It basically means studying for 25 mins and then taking a 5 min break. (Please do google this for further details if you're not familiar) You can customise your timings. I like to sit anywhere between 30 mins to 1 hour for each session and then take a 5 minute break.
Another thing that works for me is to break the monotony by switching subjects after each session. For instance, if I do my optional for 1 hour, I'll do GS related something for the next 45 mins. Something like that.
To increase the duration of each session, you can start slowly (at 25 mins per session) and then gradually increase that to 1 hour or something. To increase overall duration, you can similarly measure your daily total number of hours and then compete with yourself to increase that over time.
The analogy here is that of working out/going to the gym. You don't start doing a 100 reps of everything from day 1. You start at your current level and slowly work towards bettering yourself. Over time, your strength increases and you level up. Similarly, as you study over time, your mental stamina, concentration levels, attention spans - all will increase. Just strive patiently and continuously.
2) What should i do on breaks so that i get back to studying without (or with less) resistance. What do you do in your breaks or for how long do you study in one go?
The rule here is simple. Don't do anything that distracts you. Your breaks are meant to rest your mind not occupy them.
If I have access to my phone, I'll inevitably find a way to get distracted. So using my phone during breaks, no matter how tempting, is a strict no. For this purpose, I keep it switched off. I also write down beforehand at what time I'll switch it on so that I'm not tempted to use it before.
As to what I do in my break, I don't do anything if it's a 5 min break. I just wander around the house, drink water or go and poke my sister :P.
I take longer breaks with my meals. So after eating, I'll relax for 20-30 mins. At that time, I may surf the net, watch YouTube videos, watch a sitcom episode, listen to music or read a book. I've found listening to music and reading books most enjoyable and refreshing. But sitcoms and youtube are what I end up doing most. :P
What I've shared is what's working for me + what I think is helpful. Whatever appeals to you, adopt it. Whatever doesn't, reject. Listen to whatever else the others will also be posting. Hope you are able to increase your output soon.
Celeborn,
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