What are the three advices you would give to a newcomer who is planning to write the Civils exam?
You cant advice them ( dont write the exam ? )
Words of wisdom-
1.It’s a process -requires perseverance, spirit, discipline
2.listen to your body - take care of your body both physically and mentally i.e don’t be too harsh with yourself ,set achievable targets , take planned rest ,do some things you like or develop some good habits w
3.Don’t underestimate the power of defeat - own the failure analyse your mistakes ,make a strategy how to correct them and move on ( as said most painful defeats pave the way for greatest victories)
4. Stay humble - don’t make this exam a life and death case ,enjoy the journey as it teaches a lot as it brings a paradigm shift in one’s outlook,behaviour ,give time to your loved ones don’t ruin friendships, relationships with parents
At last -“Even if you're the best in the world, you're not God. The applause will eventually stop. If you have nothing inside you but your ego, that moment could hurt a lot.
“Your soul needs more than a exam to be fulfilled.”
( I have just rephrased the Idea of BLANKA VLASIC in context of UPSC)
A bit more specific advice I wished I'd received at the start
1) Invest time and money in technology.
If you can afford it, buy a tablet compatible with a stylus/pen. It will make note making easier. Plus you'll save a lot on the books, monthlies and other resources that you can download instead. It's easy to mark in it, highlight, write side notes etc. Further, it saves cupboard space + shifting your residence would be easier
If not a tablet, atleast start with digital notemaking on any device. While initially it's a struggle, over time it becomes much more convenient due to ease of updation, categorization etc.
On a similar vein, invest in Anki from the very beginning. Learn it's best practices. And revise regularly. Delete what's irrelevant over time.
2) Seek mentors
Find people who are one or two levels more successful than you and learn from them. This makes them approachable, relatable and at the same time capable enough to guide you.
For a beginner it might be someone who's qualified for the interview or even someone who's written mains before. Their advice would help you avoid a lot of pitfalls.
Perhaps the best way for this is to join this community. But since I'm already writing this comment here, it kinda feels redundant mentioning it.
3) Create a process that's intensive yet sustainable in the long run.
If you don't plan for your breaks, or you don't find other avenues to refresh yourself, you'll burn yourself out. Create a schedule that's replicable not just for a week or a month but for a year or two, maybe even more.
Few things bas
1) Be selective
In the world of upsc, 5% stuff is relevant and 95% stuff is irrelevant. Respect that and avoid fomo.
2) Trust yourselfonly if you can. Do what works for you the best, only if you can trust yourself.
3) Stay on track, this prep phase will make you understand the real meaning of slippery slope. Occasional breaks are necessary but should know what kind of breaks and with whom.
4) This is a bit controversial but still here it is. Avoid forum if you already have your peer group. This is nothing but reddit for upsc with all social media features. It makes you feel good about using it but it's addictive, time consuming if you don't have control on yourself. Also, induces fomo.
5) Avoid beginners pitfalls, they're many. Just like point one, 95% stuff is irrelevant
6) imo there is no integrated mains and prelims prep after initial 7-8months of prep. Those 7-8 months are there to understand the concepts of every subject. Post that, there's nothing common in prelims and mains. Demand of the paper is itself way too different.
7) No one studies 8-10+ hours everyday(at least none in my peers). It touches only 10 around the exams. Be realistic, don't be hard on yourself. Also, efficiency follows sine curve, don't get too excited on your highs and be soft when you're at your lowest.
"Accept the failure, get to the root of it, see the change for yourself."
1. 8-10 baar basics book and 1.5 yrs k current affairs padh lena... Log bolenge ki concept clear rakho, understanding banao- jaruri hain ye concepts and understanding and banana chahiye but last mein jo dimaag mein YAAD hai wahi kaam aayega. Notes banane ki aadat lag gaye toh samjho dusron se double speed hai aapke clear karne ki.
2. Pre K liye 40-50 tests laga lena and Mains k liye around 20.(With 30 yrs PYQ for prelims and 5 yrs PYQ for Mains)
3. Ye guarrantee nahi hai ki mehnat krne par ho hi jaayega but es baat ki guarrantee hai ki mehnat nahi karne par nahi hoga (exceptions are extremely rare in UPSC)
4. Ye khel kai baar lamba chal sakta hai, toh thoda sabar rakkho but jyada nahi... You need same energy level for around 3 years.( qki kai baar prepn hi 1-2 saal baad samajh mein aati hai)
5. Khule dil se swagat hai tumhara, qki u are destined to change ur personality and outlook towards society in 1.5 yrs of intensive preparation.... Plato socrates waali feeling aayegi.
6. HIMMAT HAUSLA SANYAM ANUSHASHAN ki bahut jarurat padegi- keep a lot of it for emergency situations
7. Life and UPSC is no different....Saare concepts apply kar sakte hain ek dusre pe
1. Don't underestimate yourself - past achievements or failures don't matter. This exam is a great leveller. What you see or hear are just 1% of those who have cracked the exam.
2. This is merely an exam, normal exam. Don't see it as a matter of ego or prestige. This will also guide you to know when to enter and when to leave the cycle.
3. Choose the right people you seek advice from, who you look up to and who you share your thoughts with.
4. Make UPSC PYQ your best friend especially in mains. Nothing is more predictable than mains if you have done PYQ right.
5. Don't isolate yourself. Be with people and among people. Isolation hampers intellectual growth and mental health.
1. Incremental development has massive potential. Keep growing and keep moving forward.
2. Choose the optional wisely i.e. recent trends in scores, availability of material, interest and ease of studying (subjective).
3. Practice, Practice, Practice and revise, revise, revise
4. Somedays will be as gloomy as grey skies with a green top at Trent Bridge(Cricket reference:P) but you gotta hang in there all day like Rahul Dravid once did in his legendary knock.
5. Having some form of economic security with a part time job or any other gig is not a bad idea (given that it doesn’t eat too much of your time).
6. If you’re going to invest your years of youth and sacrifice a lot of comforts that you might have enjoyed, MAKE IT COUNT.
“Through hardships, to the stars”
1) Always be the first one to stand for yourself. You will need this when you need motivation ..when u feel alone
2) Be clear with what you want. Dont compromise with those values . This will make you feel proud on yourself in present as well as in future.
3) be focused and dedicated but do find time for
your parents always.
You had decided to come into this game.. now only saviour of yours is you yourself.
It's the acceptance which will lead you to glory. Own your deeds be brutally honest with yourself.
Failure is the biggest lesson but at times you need bit of success (motivation for small period) to go forward. You really nee
True. The exam is challenging but not impossible. Different people take different time to prepare the syllabus. You will
need to work your arse off and may need more time than you first thought. Has nothing to do with you, has to do with the nature of the exam.
Accept the truth.
“The truth shall set you free”
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
1.Don't compare yourself to others stay focused on ur own journey and leave footprints behind.
2.Hard work is more important than having genius
3.DISCIPLINE-suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret
4.start studying within the first hour of waking up .If u don't do this ur mind will forcibly push u towards negative thoughts.
5.practice,practice and practice:whether it be prelims mock papers or mains answer writing if u don't test urself u will fail even before upsc will fails u.
6.Quietly,scecretly work towards progress,not perfection.
and lastly believe on urself
Read well
Revise well
Write well
🔁
Improvise
A strong foundation is needed ,so coaching might help newcomers but more important than coaching is a mentor or a guide (not necessarily a faculty,even friends in good spirit can help)
Optional should be read repeatedly especially if it's not your graduation subject
, ethics essay papers also needs regular practice
After 2 attempts ,Backup job advisable as competition is cut throat and social pressures
Mocks help us realise our mistakes ,better to commit mistakes & learn in mocks then in real exam which may prove costly
1. Its a marathon, not a sprint. You need to be patient and keep taking small steps towards the goal every day. Good things will eventually come in one way or another.
2. Syllabus and PYQs are your best friends. Let them be your guide through this maze of UPSC.
3.Try to enjoy the process. Not just the fun bits, but the most boring parts of the preparation. Keep chipping away. Keep revising.
4.Do not hesitate to ask for help.
5. Do not lose sight of your physical and mental well being in this pursuit.
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