UPSC is one of the toughest examinations. Each day when you start with your preparation you will get a new insight on your journey. It is important that you observe along the way, what works for you and what doesn’t. Focusing on an effective start is important, be it your favourite game or IAS exam or life in general.
Each day of your preparation will be a challenge and there are certain things which you do that will help you reach your goal much more easily. Not only should you make an appropriate IAS preparation strategy, but you should also bring about a few changes to your lifestyle and studying mechanisms if you are to find success in this tough UPSC Exam.
This article aims to discuss 7 such habits that will help you successfully ace the IAS Examination.
7 Habits for success in UPSC Exam
- Say Bye to Procrastination – Time is valuable and generally scarce when it comes to preparing for a competitive exam. Also, remember that time once lost cannot be retrieved. Hence, it is important that you chart out a study plan and follow it religiously. Do not procrastinate and avoid putting things off.
- Boost Your Concentration Skills – Improved concentration means you can increase your study efficiency. You would be able to understand and internalise more concepts in less time if you are steadfastly focusing on your work. If your mind and body both are in a tired state, you cannot study properly. You need a calm mind to concentrate, so, have adequate sleep, avoid sitting amid distractions, you don’t have to push yourself to study something if you are interested in it and lastly, meditation is the most powerful tool to improve concentration.
- Time Management – Learning to manage the pace adequately during the preparation as well as in the examination hall is imperative so that ample time to work on each part of the exam is left at hand. Effective time management can help ensure that you complete the whole Syllabus in time and do well in the exams. Hence, Start your exam preparation by making a timetable that suits your routine and devote adequate time to each topic.
- Read a good book – Successful people read everyday. They all know the importance of educating themselves every single day in order to achieve better results in their professional and personal lives. By reading, we don’t mean your textbooks as that you already do throughout the day. Reading good literature is absolutely essential to your wellbeing. Reading will not only make you more likely to succeed, but if you do it before going to bed, it can really help you to reduce stress and progressively calm you down. It is also really useful for improving your creative cognitive thinking.
- Judicious use of the Internet – The easy availability and access to information at a touch is a valuable asset for every exam aspirant. The judicious use of the internet can help most of the aspirants to have access to the most useful information for the exam. With the help of the internet, you can take help from experts and toppers which helped them to clear the exam, also it can help you with fetching notes from different sources of information. You can also get help from the government and other important websites to gather information. Thus, the internet can be the right platform to complement your preparation if used wisely.
- Allow yourself to unwind – It is essential for your well being that you unwind before the day comes to an end. Meditation and yoga are really helpful for your body and mind because their routines introduce a series of breathing exercises that help you connect to your untapped energy. It helps you quiet your mind, relax your body, and after practising for some time you might be able to feel more connected to the world outside your own.
- Prepare for the next day- Having a well organised plan can really benefit the tasks that you have set for the day. It is difficult to remember all the things you need to do, and that’s why you should write them all down in a journal or a to-do list. Successful IAS aspirants know the importance of a well-planned day as this allows them to enjoy themselves in the evening. So before you go to bed, grab a planner or a notebook and write down your 3 most important goals for the next day. Be honest with yourself in setting the right amount of time to achieve each individual goal.
There are a lot of things that attract youngsters in the country towards a life in the civil service such as pride and honour, responsibilities and powers and of course the IAS Officer salary and benefits that come along. It is only your determination that will play the key role in grabbing all these successfully.