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UPSC Exam preparation
I've given 6 attempts at UPSC CSE
I've failed prelims twice, failed Mains twice and I've cleared the exam twice.
10 things I wish I knew in my first attempt:
I've failed prelims twice, failed Mains twice and I've cleared the exam twice.
10 things I wish I knew in my first attempt:
1. UPSC prep is BORING.
Success in UPSC comes from doing boring things everyday - for months on end.
Success in UPSC comes from doing boring things everyday - for months on end.
2. All subjects are NOT equal.
In UPSC prep you need to do a lot of subjects, but not at the same time. Learn to prioritise, it will save you a lot of headaches.
Ex: complete polity and economy before ancient and medieval.
In UPSC prep you need to do a lot of subjects, but not at the same time. Learn to prioritise, it will save you a lot of headaches.
Ex: complete polity and economy before ancient and medieval.
3. You will NOT be able to complete the syllabus.
Because of the vast syllabus, at best you'll be able to cover 85 - 90% of the syllabus.
Learn to live with that sense of incompleteness.
Because of the vast syllabus, at best you'll be able to cover 85 - 90% of the syllabus.
Learn to live with that sense of incompleteness.
4. Get used to failing. A LOT.
Controlled failure is essential during prep.
You need to fail in:
β’ Mock tests
β’ Mock interviews
β’ Achieving your daily targets
And then figure out how to fail less next time.
Controlled failure is essential during prep.
You need to fail in:
β’ Mock tests
β’ Mock interviews
β’ Achieving your daily targets
And then figure out how to fail less next time.
5. Some things just need time. Be patient.
You will not improve tomorrow. But in order to improve you need to show up everyday.
Even when you don't see progress, trust the process.
You will not improve tomorrow. But in order to improve you need to show up everyday.
Even when you don't see progress, trust the process.
6. ONE thing at a time.
Doing 4 different subjects in a day is a sure way of wasting precious time and effort.
Doing 4 different subjects in a day is a sure way of wasting precious time and effort.
7. Take responsibility for your studies.
UPSC prep is a full time job. If you're not studying 8-10 hours/day you're not serious about your prep.
UPSC prep is a full time job. If you're not studying 8-10 hours/day you're not serious about your prep.
8. Too much advice is bad advice.
If you keep asking for the best strategy, the best institute, the best books, you will never start.
The people who succeed are the ones who act, not just ask. Make mistakes and then ask how it can be done better.
If you keep asking for the best strategy, the best institute, the best books, you will never start.
The people who succeed are the ones who act, not just ask. Make mistakes and then ask how it can be done better.
9. Learn to manage your emotions.
During prep you will come across:
β’ Guilt
β’ Low self esteem
β’ Anxiety
Meditation helps but YOU are responsible for managing YOUR emotions. Find out what works for you.
No one else is coming to save you.
During prep you will come across:
β’ Guilt
β’ Low self esteem
β’ Anxiety
Meditation helps but YOU are responsible for managing YOUR emotions. Find out what works for you.
No one else is coming to save you.
10. You are human.
You are not a machine. Expecting yourself to perform at 101% everyday is a recipe for failure.
Set realistic targets, make it easy for yourself to win.
You are not a machine. Expecting yourself to perform at 101% everyday is a recipe for failure.
Set realistic targets, make it easy for yourself to win.
For more threads like this, follow me @abhiwhy
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Read this as a blog post: upscprep.com
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