Self-Study or Coaching Class

Whether to join a coaching institute is a dilemma that many of us face. Civil Services exam requires a long and thorough preparation.Coaching classes are often expensive but at the same time they provide valuable guidance. The best way to make a judgment is to weigh in all the benefits and costs of joining coaching institutes and the ability to perform while being self-dependent.

The most important benefit of joining a coaching institute is regularity. A good coaching institute will help you set into a rhythm. Another advantage is that you get to see and talk to other students who share a common goal with you. There is no inspiration like the spirit of competition.

Joining a coaching institute may be expensive and if you have limited financial resources, you may consider self study. Sometimes it may take long hours to commute to institutes thereby resulting in fatigue and wastage to valuable time. Also, keep in mind that UPSC is an open competitive exam. Aspirants from pretty much all disciplines appear for UPSC - Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, History majors, and any field you can think of. Coachings have programs that are suitable for all students in general, but if you have specific needs, coaching may not be the best use of time.

If you choose to do self study, Your confidence is your best friend. Always remember, it's a war out there and only the fittest survive. Maintain regularity, keep faith in yourself and aim high. The UPSC Group Study will could be of help to you. You can ask as many questions you want on the UPSC Group Study and your fellow aspirants will help with great suggestions. Also, try to help other fellow aspirants. They need the help as much as you need it.

Should I quit my job to prepare for Civil Services?

We all know that preparation for Civil Services requires a lot of commitment, dedication, and of course time. Very often UPSC aspirants face this dilemma that whether they should quit their jobs in order to prepare for the exam. This article is keeping this question in mind.


Let me start with an honest disclaimer that all of us lead a unique life with its own unique challenges. It is very unlikely that "one-article-fits all" will work here. But, I am still trying to generalize and bring out the critical issues. 


Giving up the job - What do you gain

1. Time: Time is precious. By quitting the job you gain 8 hrs a day X 5 days i.e. 40 hours a week. 
2. Mental Freedom: Jobs could be very demanding and may drain a lot of energy. Quitting the job may give you a bit more mental freedom.

What do you lose:

1. Discipline: Your job makes you wake up and prepare yourself everyday. This keeps your life structured and planned.
2. Friends and Colleagues: Its always good to be around people. Its a support system. Quitting your job may leave you a bit more lonely than before.
3. Comfort and Security: Having a career is very comforting. It takes away the stress and the reduces the fear of "what if I fail?"
4. and of'course your current salary
5. A Chance to Build up your Personality: Remember after the mains there is an interview

The decision is very subjective but requires a very careful thought. The first question is the time that you would be gaining so critical to your success in the exam? The answers are different for different people and situations. 
Lets look at examples: 

• Puneet, a software engineer, answered this question in a very different way. He thought if I need so much time to clear the prelims, I will never be able to go through the mains. He decided that he is going to continue his job till the prelims and decide about quitting only after he is selected for the mains. 
• Ravi had been preparing for Civil Services since his first year in college. He planned that he will finish at least one optional subject for the Mains before his preparation for the prelims. Ravi chose not to take up a job after his college graduation.
• Bharat was in a very similar situation as Ravi. However, there was one issue, he was from a very modest family. Making a living was very important for him. He decided to do something that could help both the causes. He chose to work for a publisher as a content editor. Some of his friends in a similar situation chose to work in areas that were related and caused lesser distraction to their studies. 

There are very few universal answers in life. We all need to make an assessment of our situation and make the right choices.

UPSC Blues: What to do when you are feeling depressed

There are good times and then there are tough times. We have all gone through them at some point of time. Its not very unusual that some students lose confidence in the middle. There are three kinds of cases that I can summarize:

Short Term Distraction

In between an intense study plan, there are incidences where we suddenly lose track.  Example, after an intense planned study over a month. Ajay, thought of taking a couple days vacation. When he came back, he felt that he is not able to connect back to his study plan. And then he thought, may be he needs a little more break. He watched cricket for a couple more days and relaxed, only to find that the situation is worse. 

What should Ajay have done?

Competitive Peer Pressure

Very often, aspirants develop a feeling of competitiveness with their peers. How far have my friends studies, how much do my college-mates know, how do I stand against my coaching buddies. One bad test and the momentum to study is lost.  Take the case of a bright young student Neha - a topper of her school and a brilliant student in her college. She chose to do self-study while her friends chose a coaching institute. Neha felt tremendous pressure when her friends asked questions that she did not have an answer for. Every time such a thing happened, she changed her study plan and chased a new topic - finally losing track of it. 

What is Neha doing wrong?

Loss of Purpose

Competitive exams are tough and and the truth is that the selection rates are very low. The fear of failure can scare even the bravest. There are so many students who lost the track searching for alternatives or leaving the battle in the middle. 

Too many ways to lose the focus !! How can one keep the battle on with a deep focus on the goal. Here are a few thoughts:

Easy Things First

• Be a part of the study-group
• Ajay could have simply got on to the study-group and become a part of the ongoing discussions. Its easy to keep an academic focus in a group. 
• Make sure the group members are serious and focued
• Look at the bigger picture
• If you are aspiring for Civil Services you are competing with aspirants from the whole of India. Competing with your friends around will make you lose them.
• Help your friends in their preparation, they will help you too.
• Understand different learning styles
• Coachings have a set program. Self-study program is unique to every student. 
• If you are doing self-study and not able to answer a few questions taught at a coaching. Ask yourself, am I missing this question, or I need to relearn this topic. 
• Not knowing a few questions is ok. 

The Not so Easy Things

• I end up repeating this phrase: "Confidence is Your Best Friend"
• Pick the RIGHT GOAL
• What is your goal? A lot of students tell themselves: My Goal is to Become an IAS
• Change your Goal to: I Will Give my Best
•  "Focus on the 'Karma' and not on the 'Outcome'.
  
• Plan your Career
• A lot of good career options (read exams) require the same preparation as UPSC
• Study alternative career paths too. Just because you are looking at other options does not mean that you are not focused on Civil Services

Matters of Faith

• Have Faith
• Have faith in whatever you believe in. You may believe in God, Spirituality, Nature, or your Parents. 

In summary, believe in yourself and give your best shot. Chase your dreams and fight it like a real champion. Results - ya they are good but the journey is the real thing. 


Keep it simple: I promise myself that I will give it my best

How to Choose a Book for UPSC Civil Services

We all have faced this challenge: "What book/author should I choose for a subject?". For each exam and for each subject, there is a long list of books available. This article is not about the most popular author or the best book for a subject. This article is about how to choose a book that will help you the most in your exam preparation. Here are a few things you should consider while selecting a book:

Your prior knowledge about the subject: Educational Base

All of us have an educational base. We are looking for knowledge that will help us refine our understanding and build upon it. The standard of the book must suit your base. For example: if you are a science graduate, you may not find a beginner-level chemistry book much useful. Similarly, students who have studied certain subjects for their college education must choose books accordingly. 

Your time is important, a book that is too easy for you is not time-efficient, a book that is too advanced may not contribute to direct learning. 

Writing style of the author and your Reading Ability

I will confess, every time I have read Shakespeare, I have had to read a summary by another author. This is will all due respect to Shakespeare and other authors who write great stuff that I cannot comprehend due to my limitations. The best book is one that talks to you and you can relate to it. No matter how acclaimed the author or publisher is, if you cannot comprehend the content, you must move to a different author. 

Illustrations: Lists / Graphs / Maps

Its always easy to remember information that is presented visually. There is so much information to read, understand, and remember. I would always suggest a book that has more graphical information. However, this is not a standard thumb rule. We all know that remembering information from lists (capitals, currencies, presidents, rivers.... etc etc) is boring and tedious and a lot of times not useful. We need a balance of graphical information and its linkage to ideas that can help us remember it. 

Feedback from peers

There is a lot that you can gain from the feedback from readers who have already gone through a book. Ask people on the group study about their experience and suggestions about the book or the author. You will get different opinions. See the reasons for the opinions and you will be able to find the best book for you. 

Theory vs Practice Book

The answer to this question lies in this question: at what stage are you in your exam preparation?

If you have a very good educational base in a subject then you might want to choose a practice book over a theory book. For example: engineers may choose a practice book for math questions, and English major students may choose a practice book over a theory book. They would have covered most of the theory during the course of their college education and might want to practice directly. Also, how far away is your exam. The closer the exam - more the practice required. 

Practice books also serve as good benchmarks and provide you information about the status of your preparation. So you need a balance between theory and practice.

I will soon write about some popular books for UPSC Civil Services Prelims General Studies. 

Choosing Optional Subjects for UPSC Civil Services

Selection of optional subject for the UPSC exam needs a lot of thought. Some of the most common questions that come from students are:

* Should I choose the subject from my graduation course

* I want to choose a subject X but I am not sure if it has a high success ratio

* Should I use two different or similar subjects as optionals

Here are a few things to consider while selecting a subject for the UPSC Civil Services

• Choose a subject that YOU are comfortable with. Understanding of concepts in different subjects takes time and effort. If you pick a subject that you are comfortable with, it will automatically increase your efficiency.
• Check the availability of resources while choosing a subject. This even more important while selecting the optional language.
• If books, guidance, and support is available for the course then you save a lot of time.
• Test your knowledge level in different subjects while settling upon one. Anthropology, and Sociology might seem very similar till you get into the details. Take a test and see if you like way questions are asked in a subject and what are the expectations from the examinee.
• Ideally, one should choose a subject that you have studied for your college education. However, if you believe that for some reason, you are more comfortable with a different subject, go for it. However, ask yourself, “Do I know this subject better than the one I studied in college”?

Popular questions:

Q. What are the easy subjects for UPSC?

Well, the honest answer is, we are yet to find one.

Civil Services if a very competitive exam. You have to be the 'best of the best' to go through it. If a subject is easy, its easy for all and hence tougher the competition

Q. Which subject has the maximum selections / selection percentage / success ratio

I will put in a separate report on the selections and success ratios for different subjects and languages. However, these ratios should not be the only criteria for selecting a subject. Your level of comfort and level of knowledge is more important.

Preparing for the UPSC exam calls for a lot of determination, dedication , time management, patience, and planning. Apart from the daily preparation , one needs to do a self assessment by taking individual tests related to the topics.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are not as important as what lies within us.

Believe in yourself and your capabilities to become more confident. So take charge of your mind and think positive. Remember, you are what you think.

If you believe in yourself, you can do it !!

The 7 Step Plan for UPSC Prelims Preparation

So, you have decided to have a shot at the prestigious Civil Services. IAS and IPS are your role models and The Hindu is your favorite entertainment. But, how to start your preparation for the prelims is a question that's bothering you. Here is one way to plan it out:


Step 1. Review the syllabus
Have a look at the syllabus and identify all the subjects that you need to go through. 
Important Note: UPSC Civil Services is not like a university exam, the syllabus is more like a guideline and not a boundary that cannot be crossed. 
Take the syllabus as a guideline and not as a course definition. 


Step 2. Classify the syllabus and identify the ideal study material
Classify the syllabus into different subjects and topics. Identify good quality course material for each topic. I will post some good books for subjects and topics in another blog. 


Step 3. What cannot be classified
UPSC Civil Services have a very wide coverage. There are no boundaries on current affairs and general awareness. You need to develop, what I call a "Web of Knowledge" to excel in these areas. Link each fact with another fact and context. I think this topic will benefit from a more detailed discussion. 


Step 4. Map your abilities
There are three broad areas from the point of view of learning in UPSC Civil Service Exam:
a. Subject Expertise  - Example: History, Polity
b. Skill Development - Example: Quantitative, Reasoning, Verbal
c. General Awareness - Example: Current Affairs


Now do this exercise:
1. Classify all the subjects into these three areas, and in front of each subject, mark your comfort level 1. Very Comfortable 2. Comfortable 3. I can do it 4. I am scared


Always mix comfortable and not-so comfortable subjects in your study plan. This will keep you focused. Also, it will help reduce over-confidence or frustration. 


5. Syllabus - Abilities - Calendar
Sit with a calendar and count the number of days that are left for the exam. Allocate the number of days to each subject.


6. Goal Setting and Target Setting
UPSC preparation, for most aspirants extends over one year. Set realistic goals for yourself. More importantly, set targets for yourself. "I will review ABC over this week and go over XYZ within this month". Make sure your short-term targets are in line with the bigger plan. Give allowances in the plan for events like festivals or distractions like the world cup. More importantly, minimize the impact of these events to exceed your own expectations. 


7. Circle of Knowledge and Company of Confidence
Develop a good circle of friends with whom you can share and exchange knowledge. Study Groups are a good resource. If you can avoid distractions on the internet join an online study group. UPSCguide Group Study is very active and has hundreds of active members sharing their knowledge and experience. 
Most important, 'your confidence is your best friend'. You will need it all the time. Preserve it and build it. 

An Early Start for Civil Services

If you are in school or just started your college and wondering that you should start preparing for UPSC, this article is for you. What to study before you start studying for the exam?

Preparing for UPSC exams calls for a lot of dedication , determination and devotion. It is a long marathon rather than a 100 meter sprint. Here are a few things that can help create the right platform if you are starting early. 


Develop a wide knowledge-base 
Read one national newspaper regularly. Almost all national news papers will provide you a wide array of national and international information. 'The Hindu' and 'Indian Express' have good in-depth editorials for a sincere reading. Information from any source of relevance to your goal should be welcomed, as long as it is from a standard source. Start reading magazines that cover national issues. Frontline is one such magazine that covers core issues.  


Use television as an information source 
With the wide variety of channels on the TV today, it has turned into more of an interruption rather than a support in the learning process. However, if you are disciplined, make sure to watch good informative programs. Follow BBC, CNN, and yes Doordarshan.

Learn more about UPSC, Civil Services and the different departments under it
Talk to your friends and seniors. Get more information. You can also go through information on portals like www.upscguide.com

Develop a Circle of Knowledge 
Discussing about the topics with your family and friends helps you to explore various perceptions and helps shed light on multiple point of views.This will definetly help you in advancing your knowledge. While discussing be careful and don't waste time on unnecessary details and arguments, you should have a guided discussion that focuses on the topic.  

Start  with NCERT books 
Reading NCERT books prove to be extremely benificial as they are little encyclopedias. They are the first step in UPSC preparation.

Go through 'some' question papers  
Attempting question papers of previous years and General studies papers. This will expose your weaknesses and give you an idea about the extent of your preparation, your knowledge base, your speed and base.


Start developing a trust in your capabilities 
One should be dedicated and have faith in one's own capabilities. Define your goals and short-term targets and start working towards them. Develop a study style - late night, early morning, or a planned day study - whatever suits you best. Quality of hours put in is more important than quantity of hours. Your time and energies should be used in an efficient and effective manner.

Get ready to make a plan
Once you have an idea about the effort and commitment it will take to become a Civil Servant and you believe you are up to it. Get ready to make a plan. I will cover more about making a plan in another blog.

Confidence is your best friend.  Believe in yourself and prepare with full Dedication, Devotion, and Determination.