How To Stay Motivated During Your IAS Preparation?
Improved performance, personal growth, positive mental space, and a sense of purpose are important to crack UPSC or any other exam. All these traits can be achieved only when one is motivated enough. A motivated person thinks, feels, and behaves differently. This difference seldom secures their position in the top 5% of aspirants who write the exam.
Table of Contents
How To Stay Motivated During Your IAS Preparation? 1
Tips To Stay Motivated While Preparing for Your IAS Exam 1
4. Do Not Compare Yourself to Anyone Else 3
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 4
Motivation is as important as hard work and luck. A motivated person will only be able to work hard. Plus, motivation means positivity, and a positive attitude will manifest and attract luck. Hence, we bring you some ways of staying motivated during your preparation journey.
Tips To Stay Motivated While Preparing for Your IAS Exam
1. Make A Vision Board
A vision board is a fairly new exercise that has been getting famous among students lately. A vision board is a collection of meaningful pictures that people stick on a sheet. These pictures have a hidden meaning which is difficult for others to predict.
The pictures are a replica of the aims that an individual wishes to achieve. Because it is only the individual who knows the meaning, they become personal. Most people prefer sticking their vision board on a wall, while some like to make it in a journal or notebook. You can choose either way. Just ensure that you get to see your vision board at least once a day.
It motivates a person because pictures have a higher impact on the human brain. Something that is written will be boring to read every day. But a visual representation of the same will hardly take any time to visualize, interpret and realize. Seeing the pictures daily instills a sense of obligation, if not motivation. Hence, in most cases, as you see the vision board, you will sit back and study instead of wasting your time.
2. Study Buddies
The study buddy system is again a new-age concept. In this system, an aspirant is advised to have at least one and a maximum of 3 like-minded individuals as his/ her study mates.
All the people in this chain must have similar understandings and capacities. Someone who has been preparing for one year is not advised to have a study buddy who has been prepping for over 5 years. It is important to match the energies and standards of the person. Hence, it is advised to find yourself a study buddy right at the time when you start the journey.
Study buddies study and grow together. They set out similar timetables and goals. They then discuss their progress after the deadline is met. This way, two or more people are bound in healthy competition. You will be motivated to meet your daily goals because the other person is also doing so. You will also be in shape to clear each other’s doubts.
You can have a friend who can understand you better than anyone else because they are going through similar circumstances. The best part about having a study buddy is you chisel your strengths by listening to a critique of your weaknesses.
3. No to Social Media
Half of the people in the age group of 18-25 years live most of their lives online. From Snapchat to Instagram, there is a race to always be present online and brag about your privileges. If you are addicted to putting every aspect of your life online, then you won’t be able to crack UPSC.
UPSC preparation is almost next to penance. It requires 10 to 12 hours of uninterrupted study each day. Besides that, you need to be away from all kinds of distractions. Social media is the biggest distraction present in the world today.
Even if someone does not like putting their lives up on social media, they like to stalk others. This equally wastes your time. Hence, to be motivated at all times, say no to social media.
4. Do Not Compare Yourself to Anyone Else
Human beings tend to have two bad habits. The first one is the move to be the best. But in the process, they might be let down because there will always be someone who will be better than them.
No one is born perfect, and peace lies in accepting your flaws. Person A might be able to learn history better. You don’t have to envy that person. You may be good at geography. Trade your strategies politely instead of having unsaid envy. Learn what the other person is better at and teach them what you do well.
The other problem is idolizing others. They tend to forget what qualities they have and always think that others are better than them. They look up to those people with respect and lose self-confidence. This, again, is equally disturbing as we need to understand that one person may be great, but they will also have their flaws. Identify your strengths and never compare yourself to anyone else.
5. Family
Family plays an important role in keeping people sane. If you have an understanding family, share your experiences and problems with them. They will always have the best suggestions for you because they know you better than anyone else.
For them, your happiness and mental health are the priority. Hence, they will try to eliminate all inconveniences so that you can focus on the exam. It is also important for an aspirant to communicate to their family members how they see themselves. You will know your caliber soon. Feel free to tell them about the same so that they do not have unrealistic expectations.
Conclusion
Motivation is the absolute requirement of UPSC CSE. It is no less than penance, and hence, it is but natural that aspirants will have mental breakdowns. This is the reason why people quit their UPSC preparation mid-way.
Some don’t even start when they see others their age already halfway through their preparation. Others succumb to pressure while writing the exam. And there are also a few people who just go and give the exam with the least amount of hope. This is not the spirit a Civil Servant is supposed to have. Only a resilient attitude to all kinds of atrocities will help you achieve your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is it possible to clear UPSC exam in the first attempt?
With determination, consistency, and self-motivation, you can easily clear UPSC exam in the first attempt. You need to be confident in yourself and have access to the best study material. You can solve previous year question papers to get an idea of the structure and pattern of the exam.
- From where can I download the admit card of the UPSC exam?
In order to download the e-admit card, you must visit the official website of UPSC. You can log in your credentials, save the admit card on your device and take out their print outs. Do not forget to read the rules & regulations mentioned on the admit card.
- How can I manage my time effectively to study for the UPSC exam?
Time management is really important if you wish to crack the UPSC exam in just one go. You can make a time table and follow it properly. You can set a daily, weekly, or monthly target that you wish to achieve. If you avoid setting a daily target, you may lose track of you time and not be able to cover the entire syllabi.
- How will I get to know the open job positions?
To have all the updates regarding the UPSC exam and recruitment, you nay need to visit the official website daily. The number of open job positions vary every year. You can stay updated so that you do miss any deadline and lose the opportunity to fulfil your dream.
