Out with Chemistry.
My learnings for new comers and old timers as follows(I've cleared IIT-JEE twice and prelims too, so I think some things could help others):
1. Its too easy to get swayed by people who got selected. This exam is a graveyard of smart, hardworking, genuine people. Nothing guarantees success. Its easy for people to shower motivation, it doesn't cost them anything. But getting fooled by them and hanging out on that motivation is gambling precious time in hope of something that is highly subjective in nature. (Basically motivation dene me kuch nai jata, lene me saal thuk jata hai)
2. People might say its all worth it, but in these years, the sacrifices that I and my family has made are not worth it. My father is in IPS and I've seen his life upclose. The charm of power-respect-prestige fades away and the govt makes you work like a dog with no personal life. Nothing is more important than health, family and mental peace.
3. We over-glorify hard work, success and romanticise the sacrifices. Its easier to keep trying, but it talkes more courage to actually say "NO". Just studying day in and day out is a good comfortable zone with no external accountability. Also, we're afraid of going out and facing the world. Studying, is more predictable and less scary. The more we postpone facing it, the harder it will get. It hence takes courage to exit the process and put your ego aside.
4. Results are no reflection of competency. The people that UPSC selects becomes all sorts of stuff. We daily read about IAS officers scamming for crores, running sex rackets, cheating in the exam, culting crores of MGNREGA funds meant for poor people. UPSC is not god, neither is their judgement perfect. Hence, there's no point in judging yourself through their mirror. You're special and will do something good in life
Couldn't agree more! Each word is apt and brutally honest.
You'll inevitably do great dude!
