Ask any of the top IAS coaching centres in Chennai “what makes a student succeed in the IAS exam,” and the answer will be similar. It is a cocktail of planning, preparation, luck and mindset. We know that most civil aspirants leave no stone unturned for the first two. The third is beyond the control of anyone. It is the last quality that most students falter on.
Your mindset can bring a lot of changes. It can help you realise your dream of becoming an IAS officer. So, how do you build the right mindset? You do so by inculcating the five habits listed below.
Have A Timetable And Read Voraciously.
Habit 1:Given the vast syllabus of the UPSC-conducted exam, every aspirant knows the value of a timetable. So, as obvious as it may seem, that’s the first habit you need to build. Create a well-balanced timetable that includes:
- study hours
- relaxation
- physical activity
- social life
Never fill the timetable with the just study. That path leads to boredom due to monotony, ultimately resulting in a lack of interest. Also, create more than one timetable that spans not just monthly or weekly goals but also daily targets. It’ll keep you more organised and help you track your preparation.
- Habit 2:
The second habit of succeeding in the IAS exam is reading. A lot. This includes not just books that cover the syllabus but also books, newspapers and journals on various topics like world affairs, for instance. Here’s how developing a reading habit helps you:
- As you read more, you learn to read faster. It aids in covering the massive curriculum more quickly.
- Besides swift reading speed, you also learn to grasp concepts at a faster pace.
- The more you read, the more perspectives you are exposed to. This helps write well-thought-out and articulated answers.
- Lastly, reading helps build your analytical skills.
Work On Writing And Mock Tests.
- Habit 3:
>The prelims are objective, and most civil aspirants tend to focus solely on it. As a short-term strategy, it’s excellent. But it doesn’t work in the long-term because the Mains is subjective.
So, start practising writing skills right from when you are preparing for the prelims. Besides making your written, long-form answer better, it will also help in:
- Creating revision notes. Use the writing practice to develop notes. It will reduce the effort on your part and save you from duplicating work.
- Remembering facts. Writing down what you have learnt reinforces it. That’s why it is the best technique to learn anything.
- Habit 4:
The fourth habit you need to succeed in the IAS exam is testing yourself. Attempt as many mock tests as you can. Never, ever leave them for the 11th hour. A good practice is to take a mock test every time you finish a topic. By regularly testing how much you have retained, you gain a fair idea of your progress.
Move on to the next topic in your timetable when you’ve perfected the score of a Mock test of the current topic. Since every good IAS coaching centre in Chennai offers mock test series, finding one will not be hard.
Perform Concentration Exercises Regularly.
- Habit 5:
The last habit, but no less important, is concentration exercises. When you are stressed, concentration goes for a toss. A few exercises help bring back that concentration. From toppers to leaders, many practice them religiously. Here’s an easy exercise that everyone can perform.
- Every day, take some time out and sit in silence. Sit perfectly still till you are in charge of the brain. A form of meditation, it enhances your concentration.
- The key here is to take baby steps. Instead of sitting still for 90 minutes in the first go, do it for merely 10 minutes and then gradually increase the time.
If you practice meditation already or aspire to, we urge you to do so. There is no better mindful practice than it. It will keep you calm, serene and sorted in the chaos of IAS preparation.
One last tip we give you is to break your study hours into chunks of 15 minutes. Tell yourself you will focus only on this topic for the next 15 minutes, and then you can do something else. It aids in keeping your attention to the topic at hand. Slowly you can increase the chunk into 30 mins, then an hour and so forth.
Conclusion:
As one of the few IAS coaching institutes in Chennai that have helped aspirants triumph, we know habits make a huge difference. Follow these five, and you’ll strengthen your preparation. Besides, they will give you a solid foundation when you begin your first day as an IAS officer!
