IAS: Is it possible to prepare for UPSC exams while I am in job?
IAS: Is it possible to prepare for UPSC exams while I am in job?
You need to optimize your time to maximum extent as your 40-45% of time goes with your job.
- Stay very nearer to office to minimize your travel time. ( I stay very nearer to office. Now I leave exactly at 8.47 AM and reach my office by 8.59 AM +/- 1 minute with 4 sigma confidence level :p)
- Cut-down all the unnecessary time wastages :You have to cut-down the time for social network, chatting etc.
- Find-out unaccounted time and minimize that:
Take sheet and make calculation like this
Total hours 24
Work+ travelling: 11 hours
Sleep : 6 hours
Misc. work : 2 hours
Yes, you'll get 5 more hours to study !! That's good amount of time. But many days, misc. work will go beyond your 2 hours. You should always try to keep it within the limit of your plan !!
- You can also find the ways like: Get mobile app of Hindu and read it during your lunch time or while having a cup of coffee at office etc.
- Maximize your productivity during weekends.
i. Plan
You should have your study plan.
I do something like this.
a. Get a big picture : It is very important to have a big picture of what and all you have to study with deadline.
To get such picture, I use mind mapping software called X mind. My mind map will be something like this ( Please look at the structure and don't get into the details written). Where I mention what are the things I have to study and deadline for that.
b. Weekly plan to detailed picture:
Based on the bigger picture, you have to breakdown it and make detailed plans of what you need to study in a week or so.
Believe me, it may look difficult to make such practices, but it helps a lot in later stages !!
My weekly plan will be something like this: ( Please don't give attention to details just look at the structure)
ii. Execute
Stick yourself to plan and try to finish it as per the plan.
I usually update study status on my weekly plan sheet. It helps me to really look at how much I have done and how much I have to do.
iii. Evaluate :
Evaluate yourself in specific span of time by taking tests. Based on the feedback read more on specific topic.
3. Also get few friends who are dedicated and keep discussing with them. It really helps you to updated. Also you will come to know about new information, study material etc.
At-last,It's not just how much time you get, it's how efficiently you can utilize matters a lot.( Of course you need to invest considerable time)
Hope it is useful. Please forgive me for spelling and grammar mistakes.
Remember you are competing with the aspirants who are preparing 24X7. As time is the only constraint you have, here are some tips,
1. Skip reading newspaper. Better follow websites like http://www.insightsonindi
2. Skip magazines. No much need to read Yojana, Kurukshetra etc.
3. Dont waste time on just reading from internet. There are good articles on sites like Mrunal - Competitive exams Preparation. Make notes from these articles. These notes will come very handy in future.
4. Skip NCERTs. For subjects like History, Polity, Economics go to bigger books directly. They are not as difficult as they seem. (Try reading Indian Polity by M. Laxmikant, India's struggle for independence by Bipinchandra)
5. Organize your notes. Make separate notebooks for subjects. Jot down everything related to the subject at one place.
6. Plan leaves. Prepare your notes while you are working. Plan your leaves before exams. Read and revise these notes during this leave period.
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