How to create a Plan for your UPSC Studies | Manuj Jindal IAS | Introduction to my new book 📕

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares valuable insights on how to incorporate persistence and discipline into your study routine, particularly for competitive exams like UPSC. Drawing from personal experience, the speaker emphasizes the importance of structured planning, reverse-engineering your study schedule, and balancing theory, current affairs, and revision. Additionally, the speaker introduces a new courseware on answer writing, which includes a comprehensive book, mock test papers, and over 25 video tutorials. This resource aims to simplify answer writing and help students refine their skills for exam success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Persistence and discipline are essential for success in the UPSC exam or any other major exam, regardless of whether you're a student or a working professional.
• 😀 Building a study schedule and sticking to it helps avoid falling into a cycle of procrastination and inefficiency.
• 😀 Reverse engineering your study plan by calculating the time available and breaking down the syllabus into manageable portions ensures focused preparation.
• 😀 Focus on important topics first, such as polity, economy, and environment, to maximize the effectiveness of your preparation.
• 😀 Proper planning involves organizing your study time for both static subjects and current affairs, ensuring that you have a balance of both.
• 😀 Creating a daily routine that includes early morning study sessions, followed by breaks, ensures optimal use of time and maximizes productivity.
• 😀 Allocate specific days for revision and mock tests to keep track of your progress and fill gaps in your preparation.
• 😀 An organized approach to studying allows you to incorporate regular breaks and avoid burnout, which is crucial for long-term persistence.
• 😀 The new answer writing course offers both a book and 25+ videos to teach effective answer writing techniques, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
• 😀 It's essential to learn how to evaluate your own answers, as self-assessment helps in refining your writing and improves your performance.
• 😀 The course also includes mock papers, solved previous years' questions, and a QR code to access exclusive content, making it a useful resource for UPSC aspirants.

Q & A

How can persistence and discipline benefit UPSC preparation?

Persistence and discipline are crucial for staying on track with the extensive and demanding UPSC syllabus. They help you maintain focus, avoid procrastination, and ensure steady progress, especially during times when motivation dips or when you're tempted to take breaks.

What challenges do students face when trying to maintain discipline during UPSC preparation?

A common challenge is the temptation to take extended breaks, leading to a cycle of falling behind and feeling unmotivated. This can happen when there’s no clear schedule or accountability in place.

What techniques can be used to incorporate discipline into a study schedule?

One effective technique is reverse engineering the study schedule. By calculating the time available before the exam and breaking down the syllabus into manageable parts, you can create a clear and achievable timetable that balances both static subjects and current affairs preparation.

How did the speaker plan their UPSC preparation for success?

The speaker created a detailed plan by compartmentalizing each part of the syllabus and setting realistic timelines for each section. They also included time for revision, practice, and breaks to maintain balance and ensure sustained focus.

Why is it important to have a structured daily routine for UPSC preparation?

A structured routine helps maximize productivity by setting aside specific times for different types of study (e.g., static subjects in the morning and current affairs in the afternoon). It also ensures that essential activities like revision and answer writing are consistently incorporated into the schedule.

What role do mock tests and past question papers play in UPSC preparation?

Mock tests and past question papers are crucial for assessing progress, understanding exam patterns, and honing time management skills. They help students simulate real exam conditions and identify areas that need further improvement.

What is the significance of answer writing practice in UPSC preparation?

Answer writing practice is key to developing the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely under exam conditions. It helps with structuring responses, enhancing writing speed, and ensuring that answers meet the exam's expectations.

What is included in the new courseware for answer writing discussed by the speaker?

The courseware includes a book along with over 25 videos that guide students through the process of answer writing, including how to structure responses, draw diagrams and maps, and evaluate answers effectively.

How did the speaker balance static subjects and current affairs during their UPSC preparation?

The speaker dedicated focused time for static subjects (e.g., history, polity, geography) in the morning when their brain was freshest, while current affairs and newspapers were tackled in the afternoon when less concentration was required.

What advice does the speaker offer regarding taking breaks during UPSC preparation?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of planning breaks carefully. Taking short breaks is fine, but it’s important to avoid falling into the trap of extended breaks that disrupt the study schedule and lead to procrastination.