Hey 👋🏻
Sociology is a great optional like all others.
"how much is the average time to prepare". - It takes somewhere around 2-4 months to do it for most people depending on the approach. Approach is defined by- does one aim to become a sociologist or an aspirant aiming to write sociology optional exam.
Regarding approach to study for the exam- 1] get a printout of the syllabus, vishal's pyq booklet, Nitin Sangwan. 2] read through Sangwan. Before each chapter, read the syllabus, as many times as you can afford to. Read the pyqs, as many times again. Then read through the chapter without aiming for retention. 3] Once you have been through Sangwan + syllabus + pyq, now you can begin to define for yourself on the question of "what is sociology optional". Begin to work with this definition no other definition like topper's or coaching walahs. Refer to their definition too just to make sure you are not wildly off the "demand".
The phrases like "without aiming for retention" is very important, don't try to make any notes either. Try to retain the syllabus & pyqs tho.
Once you have done this exercise, depending on your reading speed, it can take anywhere from 3 days to 14 days and how much retention you were actually going for :D
Now repeat this exercise. should take lesser time. >> This round would be a substantive round. You will begin to have fun with the information. Decide retention quality as you wish.
Once you complete the book, listen to 6 toppers talk- Pujya Priyadarshni[2018, vision, DKT], Srushti[2018, her own channel], Vishal Sah[2018, Next IAS], Pratyush Pandey[2019, quora, ias gurukul], Jagrati Awasthi[2020, DKT, unacademy], Meera K[2020, DKT]. After this, you will be in a really good position to decide for yourself.
What could go wrong- [1] you have a notion of what socio optional is, and you keep trying to realise that. [2] you don't go through the syllabus, pyq, book exercise diligently. [3] you do other things that an aspirant shouldn't ideally do.
The first steps are very important. They must be taken, and should be in the right direction. Maybe after the two rounds, you are done with 40% of your task on socio optional and all that remains is solving pyqs, current affairs, value addition and mocks and revision. Or you want some coaching from a teacher. That will be a decision you will have to make and now you can do it consciously :)
Have fun with the Sociology. It will be rewarding if you handle it well. One can do a lot of other first steps but this is just one of the permutations. Lastly, keep ncerts somewhere in your plan after the 2 rounds without fail. If you decide to follow this- remember each step is important and equally emphasized + in the particular order- the two rounds, how to go about it, the toppers talks, deciding for yourself etc.
Good luck 🖖🏻
