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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. 

Moderator Update: This thread has crossed 1 million views and has thousands of comments slowing down the website. We are closing this and moving to the next thread

https://forumias.com/post/detail/Official-How-was-Mains-2021-Paper-Essay-and-GS-Discussion-1641542963#main_comment


jack_Sparrow,rootand121 otherslike this
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Maths rectilinear motion theory + PYQs ->70% done

CA revision ->60% done 

Environment revision ->70% done 

Newspaper ->done 

Total time studied ->8 hours 48 mins 

I slept off in the afternoon. So I couldn't go for my usual walk. Otherwise the day was good. I'm happy that at least for now my intensity and consistency both are going strong. Let's hope this continues. 

Goodnight dosto :) 

mightyraju,Archandand5 otherslike this
3.4k views

Need to revise things again, very tedious task for me personally now - 

Targets - 

Start with a good old friend Laxmikanth

Newspaper huge backlogs of 2 weeks

Nothing more, still hanging in the inertia. Keeping things really slow and simple. 

Couldn't do much of Laxmikanth

Backlogs still there of newspaper

New Targets - 

Complete newspaper backlogs asap

Do Laxmikanth 

That's it. Keeping things simple for this week. 

Read 2 weeks newspaper, 5 days backlogs still there

Started Laxmikanth, but couldn't read much

Have been a little slow since 8th August. Need to press the Nitro Pedal soon! 

mightyraju,Marigoldand7 otherslike this
2.9k views
» show previous quotes

Today was a tough day. Was sleepy throughout and kept losing concentration while studying. Switched a lot of screens following the final word on Messi (don't ask, it couldn't be worse!). 


Finished the SFG tests, did a little bit of maths and struggled with finishing the May CA magazine. I could have finished the CA but going to sleep early so that sleep doesn't trouble me tomorrow. 


Targets: 9-10 hours 

  • SFG Tests Revision:  Economic Geography (2) 
  • Finish May 2021 CA 
  • Vision June 2021 CA (1/3) 
  • Statics & Dynamics (Finish all PYQs till 2013) 
  • Bonus: Revise Geography Notes

Yet to cross the 8 hour barrier. Was able to finish SFG tests for the day, May CA magazine and do some mathematics. Also started June CA.


Need to work on doing better in the first and last sessions of the day. Also need to work on maintaining focus within study sessions. Only takes one peek onto a different website and boom, 15 mins gone! 


Targets: 9-10 hours 

  • SFG Tests Revision: Modern History (4) 
  • Vision June 2021 CA (2/3) 
  • Statics & Dynamics (Finish all PYQs till 2012) 
mightyraju,D503and6 otherslike this
3k views

Hey guys! Good morning! Targets for 12.8.21:

copy wiriting

medieval india

test

analysis 

csat

dec 2020 c/a

ancient india

daily c/a

that’s a lot of bread, but still, let’s get this bread!!!

mightyraju,Celebornand6 otherslike this
3.6k views
T30 12 Aug 2021 

Mock and Analysis Done
Modern His Done
QA No
News/CA Done (2 days paper pending)

One of the worst mock marks. Many silly mistakes including marking the wrong option on screen after marking a correct one on paper. Other sillies included overthinking/applying Tikdams that din't work. Battle is on with History. 
mightyraju,Marigoldand6 otherslike this
3.5k views
@sjerngal Hey buddy! they are my targets 10-12, I am putting on average around 9 hours at present. 

Though it’s a feasible target because:
1. I am preparing full time- no job or college studies
2. I am staying at home and daily chores like cooking, washing are taken care.

Only things I have do is Eat-Sleep-Study-Exercise. In this Study is the only primary activity rest are supporting, so I set a target to achieve 40-50% output (10-12 hours). 

I have taken feasible but tough targets, because they help in motivating me.

With almost minimal distractions, the only fuck up is done by my brain, which gets distracted with unnecessary prodding of the past (remembers those few incidents where I acted wrong or failed, or why I am a loser).
May be someday, I will be able to manage my thoughts effectively- focusing only on the important things at the moment. It will help me achieve the only objective I am targeting i.e. UPSC. Then I think even 14 consistently is feasible. 
Vivekananda used to read a book in a day and remember for lifetime, because as per him he used to focus all his attention only on the task that he was working on. Similarly Bill Gates, reads at pace of around 60 pages/ hours and retains it. 
So training our mind is very important, I am thinking of trying to do meditation to help with it. Suggestions are welcome- keep it online and preferably free/ low cost. 

Finally, a military quote- ‘ the more u sweat in training, the less u bleed in war.’ 


You said it! Kadwa Sach. Eat-Sleep-Study-Exercise is all that we do. 

mightyraju,Marigoldand5 otherslike this
3.5k views

Good  morning guys. Extremely bad start with the SFG. No matter how many times I revise history, always end up getting many questions wrong. Realized the low cost benefit analysis of this subject today and from now on I am going to give it only that much respect that it deserves. 

Targets for 12/8/21

  • Feb 2021 ca
  • April ca 2021- 100 mcqs
  • Socio religious reforms -modern history
  • Art and Culture Ca revision - September -December


mightyraju,Marigoldand6 otherslike this
3.6k views

Hello Guys


I have notes of my last year prelims tests (around 30 tests , all were full lengths ). Should I do them for this year too ???


Thanks in advance

mightyraju,THE_MECHANIC
2.7k views

Lots of distractions due to some housework also had to order a battery for my Laptop.

New targets - 

Complete newspaper backlogs

Economics PYQ thoroughly

Bonus Quest - Start Ancient History (Ncert)

Keeping things very simple today

mightyraju,Celebornand5 otherslike this
2.6k views

Good morning comrades 

12/08/21-Targets for the day

Socio- religious reforms/movements 

Administrative changes

CA -Feb 2021

HCS -History 

mightyraju,Marigoldand4 otherslike this
2.8k views

12 Aug day 21

1) Economics revision 

2) Environment booklet 

3) CSAT 


mightyraju,Marigoldand5 otherslike this
3.1k views
23 Andrea Pirlo Quotes That Prove He's A Philosopher In The Guise Of A  Footballer
mightyraju,Marigoldand10 otherslike this
2.8k views

Luffysaid

Hello Guys


I have notes of my last year prelims tests (around 30 tests , all were full lengths ). Should I do them for this year too ???


Thanks in advance

Were you able to revise them before the prelims? Did they help you in any way ? If it worked for you, then maybe you can try. 
But try to keep them as crisp as possible. Try to have not more than 1 page notes for one test. 

mightyraju,EiChanand3 otherslike this
3.3k views
@Luffy Revise them before going ahead with the mocks this year. A number of questions and concepts will be on similar lines. I have started solving vision tests and several questions can be solved by revising last year notes. 


mightyraju,EiChanand2 otherslike this
2.6k views

I have been not able to give my best since last few week hence I am trying out to publicly post my targets from today.

Target: 12 hours of studies

Minimum: 10 hours

1. PT 365- polity

2. AW 1 optional, 2 GS


Action on last target:

Time: 9.5 hours 

Completed PT 365 Polity, AW 1 Optional. Missed 2 GS AW

Today’s target:

Time: min 10 hours, target 12 hours

Revise constitution and polity notes

Action on last target:

Time: 10 hours,

Revised Polity, AW Option, AW GS from InsightsonIndia

Today’s Target:

Time: 10-12 hours. 

Polity, AW optional + Insights


Faltered badly from my target. Need to remember Umberto Eco’s ‘fill the interstices’ idea, shouldn’t have wasted too much time in breaks. 

Could put only 7 hours and missed on my target to complete polity. Will try to finish it today.

Target: 10-12 hours, Polity finish it, AW optional + GS

Inspired by Neeraj Chopra, i too pushed yesterday. (Lath gaad Diya chore ne!)

11 hours of study, completed polity revision. 1 AW optional + Insights GS

Today’s target: 10-12 hours, 1 Prelims mock,  start economy revision + GS 2 mains

8 hours of study, 1 prelims mock test by Vajiram, economics Mrunal revision. 

need to push more, will try to start the day early. 

Today target: 12 hour study, economics revision, AW 

 could put only 7 hours, limited targets achieved. Need to stop heavy exercise that makes me sleepy.

Also create a fixed time routine of study to achieve consistency

Today target: 12 hours, economics revision, 1 AW Optional + AW GS

Action on last target: 10 hours, Vision IAS test, AW

Today’s target: 10-12 hours, economics revision, AW optional + gs

Yesterday was a low performance day, 6 hours only. 

Need to find my rhythm 

Today’s targets: 10 hours (removing 12 as never achieving and only scaring others), economics revision, AW

mightyraju,Marigoldand7 otherslike this
2.3k views

I have been not able to give my best since last few week hence I am trying out to publicly post my targets from today.

Target: 12 hours of studies

Minimum: 10 hours

1. PT 365- polity

2. AW 1 optional, 2 GS


Action on last target:

Time: 9.5 hours 

Completed PT 365 Polity, AW 1 Optional. Missed 2 GS AW

Today’s target:

Time: min 10 hours, target 12 hours

Revise constitution and polity notes

Action on last target:

Time: 10 hours,

Revised Polity, AW Option, AW GS from InsightsonIndia

Today’s Target:

Time: 10-12 hours. 

Polity, AW optional + Insights


Faltered badly from my target. Need to remember Umberto Eco’s ‘fill the interstices’ idea, shouldn’t have wasted too much time in breaks. 

Could put only 7 hours and missed on my target to complete polity. Will try to finish it today.

Target: 10-12 hours, Polity finish it, AW optional + GS

Inspired by Neeraj Chopra, i too pushed yesterday. (Lath gaad Diya chore ne!)

11 hours of study, completed polity revision. 1 AW optional + Insights GS

Today’s target: 10-12 hours, 1 Prelims mock,  start economy revision + GS 2 mains

8 hours of study, 1 prelims mock test by Vajiram, economics Mrunal revision. 

need to push more, will try to start the day early. 

Today target: 12 hour study, economics revision, AW 

 could put only 7 hours, limited targets achieved. Need to stop heavy exercise that makes me sleepy.

Also create a fixed time routine of study to achieve consistency

Today target: 12 hours, economics revision, 1 AW Optional + AW GS

Action on last target: 10 hours, Vision IAS test, AW

Today’s target: 10-12 hours, economics revision, AW optional + gs

Yesterday was a low performance day, 6 hours only. 

Need to find my rhythm 

Today’s targets: 10 hours (removing 12 as never achieving and only scaring others), economics revision, AW

Hey keep doing 12 if it’s feasible for you. Your prep is yours alone, don’t bother about whether it affects others as much as if it affects you :)

mightyraju,Marigoldand6 otherslike this
2.9k views

Hey guys! Good morning! Targets for 12.8.21:

copy wiriting

medieval india

test

analysis 

csat

dec 2020 c/a

ancient india

daily c/a

that’s a lot of bread, but still, let’s get this bread!!!

Woot woot! Done for the day, pulled a mammoth 10 hour day but managed to finish everything. Bread was got my friends, and it was sweet and had tutti-frutti in it as well :)

mightyraju,Marigoldand10 otherslike this
2.9k views

Sorry form last two days study was not going well due to some issues try to do more from Tommorow onwards and thanks to @ToBeDiplomat @Muffin @Infinitybeyondinfinity for waking me up

mightyraju,Marigoldand7 otherslike this
2.9k views

Good  morning guys. Extremely bad start with the SFG. No matter how many times I revise history, always end up getting many questions wrong. Realized the low cost benefit analysis of this subject today and from now on I am going to give it only that much respect that it deserves. 

Targets for 12/8/21

  • Feb 2021 ca
  • April ca 2021- 100 mcqs
  • Socio religious reforms -modern history
  • Art and Culture Ca revision - September -December


Decent day today...
It is so funny that when exams are approaching, we are able to sit for more than 8 hours without feeling tired and all.. while on other days even sitting for 5-6 hours per day becomes too much. .. 
I wish I would have studied like this earlier as well.. 
Anyway, it better late than never.. 

Also@nerdfighter where you at these days..??? 

mightyraju,EiChanand8 otherslike this
2.9k views

Maths ->Central Orbits done

Newspaper ->50% done 

CA ->not done 

Environment ->not done 

Time studied - 7 hours 42 mins 

Today maths took most of the day. This was a difficult topic so it took a lot of time to understand fully. It was frustrating at times too so felt demotivated. All in all, it wasn't as productive a day as the other days this week. Hoping for a better tomorrow :) 

mightyraju,EiChanand7 otherslike this
2.5k views
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