How many hours are you people giving to finish daily sfg test preparation?
As the title suggests, wanted to know how many hours you guys take to finish the entire syllabus. Someone mentioned one reading takes 3-4 hrs. I understand this is dependent on our attempts and sometimes our sources also (mrunal). But using this poll to get a general understanding on how inefficient or slow I maybe compared to others. You guys can also comment your attempt or any other insights below, so that we can get a better picture of were we stand.
P.S: there is no correct answer.
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.
You seem pretty self-aware which is good. That is the first step to getting better. Please understand that SFG is not your entire prelims preparation. It is just a part and has to be treated like that only! I'll suggest you this.
1. See the SFG syllabus for a test→ Think/assess how well prepared the test syllabus topics are→ Allot time in proportion to the preparation needed for the test [if polity is well prepared, revise the syllabus in an hour and give the test]
2. Have a list of checkboxes for a day. You need to have this list prepared the moment you wake up. At least in days when you feel the productivity is low.
The key is not to be the best prepared while giving the test. It is to be the most efficient. Give SFG + note down pointers from the test by 9:30am. If you tend to overstretch the revision for a test, revise in the morning [5-7am type!].
@Neyawn talked about 'bounded revisions' in a talk. It is basically revising between two fixed blocks [Eg- waking up → giving the test/ dinner → sleep]. You can't move these blocks. Hence, you'll be forced to finish the revision in time. That is a good way to give the task the respect it deserves, and not more than that!
P.S.- Ignore stuff that you feel is irrelevant to you :)
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.
The rabbit and tortoise story is not a fake one.
Here is the proof.
Just because you "can" win the race does not mean you "will" win the race. It will depend on whether you are running or not.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.The rabbit and tortoise story is not a fake one.
Here is the proof.
Just because you "can" win the race does not mean you "will" win the race. It will depend on whether you are running or not.
The moral of the story isn't to be a tortoise and keep running but to be the hare and not get complacent.
The point here is the steady wins the race.
The fast and the steady always beats the slow and steady. However, all of us cannot be fast. Sometimes that is not a choice that is given to us. And the gift of being fast ( read intelligent ) is often squandered away by the fast.
So the quote really is slow a̶n̶d̶ but steady wins the race.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.The rabbit and tortoise story is not a fake one.
Here is the proof.
Just because you "can" win the race does not mean you "will" win the race. It will depend on whether you are running or not.
Amen. Writing that down and putting it up on my wall.
Yesterday and today (till now) were spent not running. It felt unimaginably terrible. Never again.
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.
And there is no problem being a night own as long as you are the "owl".
P.S. Owl is a symbol of wisdom :P
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.You seem pretty self-aware which is good. That is the first step to getting better. Please understand that SFG is not your entire prelims preparation. It is just a part and has to be treated like that only! I'll suggest you this.
1. See the SFG syllabus for a test→ Think/assess how well prepared the test syllabus topics are→ Allot time in proportion to the preparation needed for the test [if polity is well prepared, revise the syllabus in an hour and give the test]
2. Have a list of checkboxes for a day. You need to have this list prepared the moment you wake up. At least in days when you feel the productivity is low.
The key is not to be the best prepared while giving the test. It is to be the most efficient. Give SFG + note down pointers from the test by 9:30am. If you tend to overstretch the revision for a test, revise in the morning [5-7am type!].
@Neyawn talked about 'bounded revisions' in a talk. It is basically revising between two fixed blocks [Eg- waking up → giving the test/ dinner → sleep]. You can't move these blocks. Hence, you'll be forced to finish the revision in time. That is a good way to give the task the respect it deserves, and not more than that!
P.S.- Ignore stuff that you feel is irrelevant to you :)
Thank you for your comment Steph! Very helpful as usual :)
My self awareness seems to be my biggest blessing and curse. I congratulate myself about atleast knowing what is wrong, get too complacent and then that self awareness doesn't prompt any corrective action. Just like everything else, I seem to know exactly what I have to do but just can't bring myself to do it.
Yeah you're right, I joined SFG for a specific purpose and it is moving me along in the right direction. I try to remind myself that this matters more than the daily performance etc, but a reminder helps. My bad days post SFG are atleast not as bad as my Pre SFG bad days, because the program sets a baseline.
Wrt the other two things, I already do those. My targets are usually well planned, it's the execution that is the problem 😭
The revision blocks sound like a great idea and seem like something that could actually work. Thank you!
Some people for whom "work expands to fill the time", having shorter but set duration for completing the syllabus often works.
Like , I will read Fundamental rights chapter can be reset to "I will read Fundamental Rights chapter in 3.5 hours" may just do the trick.
Also, you will have to identify if you tend to lose reading motivation if something drags on. For example, if you are reading even a simple chpater like 1857 revolt, and if you drag. it on for hours, do you feel (a) bored (b) demotivated .
In that case ( and even otherwise ) reading things are a faster pace with more revisions than reading things slow with less revisions is better. It will depend on your though.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.The rabbit and tortoise story is not a fake one.
Here is the proof.
Just because you "can" win the race does not mean you "will" win the race. It will depend on whether you are running or not.
The moral of the story isn't to be a tortoise and keep running but to be the hare and not get complacent.
The point here is the steady wins the race.
The fast and the steady always beats the slow and steady. However, all of us cannot be fast. Sometimes that is not a choice that is given to us. And the gift of being fast ( read intelligent ) is often squandered away by the fast.
So the quote really is slow a̶n̶d̶ but steady wins the race.
Yes, undeniably.
I'm not sure of SFG's full form, so I'll take it as "Steady & Focused Group" from here on. :)
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.
Changing from night to morning routine has an impact on productivity. Even am not able to finish fully so i try to just do maximum. But at the same time i also have realised my efficiency is not good and this poll sort of reminds that.
Thank you for your comment Steph! Very helpful as usual :)
My self awareness seems to be my biggest blessing and curse. I congratulate myself about atleast knowing what is wrong, get too complacent and then that self awareness doesn't prompt any corrective action. Just like everything else, I seem to know exactly what I have to do but just can't bring myself to do it.
Yeah you're right, I joined SFG for a specific purpose and it is moving me along in the right direction. I try to remind myself that this matters more than the daily performance etc, but a reminder helps. My bad days post SFG are atleast not as bad as my Pre SFG bad days, because the program sets a baseline.
Wrt the other two things, I already do those. My targets are usually well planned, it's the execution that is the problem 😭
The revision blocks sound like a great idea and seem like something that could actually work. Thank you!
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.You seem pretty self-aware which is good. That is the first step to getting better. Please understand that SFG is not your entire prelims preparation. It is just a part and has to be treated like that only! I'll suggest you this.
1. See the SFG syllabus for a test→ Think/assess how well prepared the test syllabus topics are→ Allot time in proportion to the preparation needed for the test [if polity is well prepared, revise the syllabus in an hour and give the test]
2. Have a list of checkboxes for a day. You need to have this list prepared the moment you wake up. At least in days when you feel the productivity is low.
The key is not to be the best prepared while giving the test. It is to be the most efficient. Give SFG + note down pointers from the test by 9:30am. If you tend to overstretch the revision for a test, revise in the morning [5-7am type!].
@Neyawn talked about 'bounded revisions' in a talk. It is basically revising between two fixed blocks [Eg- waking up → giving the test/ dinner → sleep]. You can't move these blocks. Hence, you'll be forced to finish the revision in time. That is a good way to give the task the respect it deserves, and not more than that!
P.S.- Ignore stuff that you feel is irrelevant to you :)
Thank you for your comment Steph! Very helpful as usual :)
My self awareness seems to be my biggest blessing and curse. I congratulate myself about atleast knowing what is wrong, get too complacent and then that self awareness doesn't prompt any corrective action. Just like everything else, I seem to know exactly what I have to do but just can't bring myself to do it.
Yeah you're right, I joined SFG for a specific purpose and it is moving me along in the right direction. I try to remind myself that this matters more than the daily performance etc, but a reminder helps. My bad days post SFG are atleast not as bad as my Pre SFG bad days, because the program sets a baseline.
Wrt the other two things, I already do those. My targets are usually well planned, it's the execution that is the problem 😭
The revision blocks sound like a great idea and seem like something that could actually work. Thank you!
Some people for whom "work expands to fill the time", having shorter but set duration for completing the syllabus often works.
Like , I will read Fundamental rights chapter can be reset to "I will read Fundamental Rights chapter in 3.5 hours" may just do the trick.
Also, you will have to identify if you tend to lose reading motivation if something drags on. For example, if you are reading even a simple chpater like 1857 revolt, and if you drag. it on for hours, do you feel (a) bored (b) demotivated .
In that case ( and even otherwise ) reading things are a faster pace with more revisions than reading things slow with less revisions is better. It will depend on your though.
You're right on both counts. The more things get dragged out, the less likely they are to get completed. I think time bound targets are the way to go. Thank you for your recommendation, will be putting it to use from today.
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.The rabbit and tortoise story is not a fake one.
Here is the proof.
Just because you "can" win the race does not mean you "will" win the race. It will depend on whether you are running or not.
The moral of the story isn't to be a tortoise and keep running but to be the hare and not get complacent.
Neyawn,sator
All of the above (other than 8+ hours). Idk my preparation has been all over the place. 2nd attempt. I thought SFG would give me the required discipline, but a combination of changing my night owl routine, falling sick and waves of apathy that just come over me for no reason, productivity has been low. Or maybe I'm just cutting myself too much slack and making excuses to avoid the harsh truth. The idea that work expands to fill time is absolutely true. On some days when the SFG syllabus is not that much, I take HOURS to finish one chapter because I think I have enough time, read in a leisurely mode and pick up random, unimportant things to do in between and then end up running out of time and not finishing anything properly. It's just like that rabbit and tortoise story. Maybe I need to stop making premature assessments about the doability of targets for a certain day and just get on with it.You seem pretty self-aware which is good. That is the first step to getting better. Please understand that SFG is not your entire prelims preparation. It is just a part and has to be treated like that only! I'll suggest you this.
1. See the SFG syllabus for a test→ Think/assess how well prepared the test syllabus topics are→ Allot time in proportion to the preparation needed for the test [if polity is well prepared, revise the syllabus in an hour and give the test]
2. Have a list of checkboxes for a day. You need to have this list prepared the moment you wake up. At least in days when you feel the productivity is low.
The key is not to be the best prepared while giving the test. It is to be the most efficient. Give SFG + note down pointers from the test by 9:30am. If you tend to overstretch the revision for a test, revise in the morning [5-7am type!].
@Neyawn talked about 'bounded revisions' in a talk. It is basically revising between two fixed blocks [Eg- waking up → giving the test/ dinner → sleep]. You can't move these blocks. Hence, you'll be forced to finish the revision in time. That is a good way to give the task the respect it deserves, and not more than that!
P.S.- Ignore stuff that you feel is irrelevant to you :)
Thank you for your comment Steph! Very helpful as usual :)
My self awareness seems to be my biggest blessing and curse. I congratulate myself about atleast knowing what is wrong, get too complacent and then that self awareness doesn't prompt any corrective action. Just like everything else, I seem to know exactly what I have to do but just can't bring myself to do it.
Yeah you're right, I joined SFG for a specific purpose and it is moving me along in the right direction. I try to remind myself that this matters more than the daily performance etc, but a reminder helps. My bad days post SFG are atleast not as bad as my Pre SFG bad days, because the program sets a baseline.
Wrt the other two things, I already do those. My targets are usually well planned, it's the execution that is the problem 😭
The revision blocks sound like a great idea and seem like something that could actually work. Thank you!
Muffin,
Write your comment…
