“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to success is strong enough” – Og Mandino
The UPSC CSE Prelims for 2019 are over and the mains exam are scheduled in a few weeks’ time. The prelims results must have left ample number of aspirants feeling dejected and demoralized. Some even considering themselves not worth enough for the coveted post. But here lies the catch. Failures are part of lives. Failures are not fatal, Successes are not final, it is the courage to continue that counts. So, let’s start again and this time follow what the great Rocky Balboa said, “One step at a time, one punch at a time, one round at a time”.
Churchill once said,“Success is moving from one failure to another, without loss of enthusiasm”.
Failing to achieve something is natural, not able to clear prelims is also natural. It’s quite obvious that the tag of so called ‘Failure’ looms large over most of the aspirants and not clearing even the first stage justifies it. You cannot change the past now, but what is to be done next to see your name in the merit list depends solely on what you think and how you carry on your preparations. Whatever you have studied, nothing will go waste. The failure can be a case of lack of revision, lack of proper strategy or something else.There are numerous instances of rankholders fighting through failures to achieve glory at the end.The need of the hour now is to take a step back now, identify your mistakes and start working on it right away.
The UPSC is in itself a war. You always need to upright with your defence and guard and ready to face any adversity coming your way. If any shortcoming, the article “CHINKS IN YOUR ARMORY” can provide you with answers and remedies.
The real question for which soul-searching must be done is “What difference can you bring in” for your next attempt. Have a look at the following things:-
Start again, NOW…!!!!
Waiting for the horoscopic stars to align in your favor is futile, rather get a move on straight away. Consolidate your resources once again and start preparing, this time with more intent. Staring early is bound to give you a headstart form the rest. The feeling of dejection might be still there but what’s more important is not letting down yourself with that and keeping oneself motivated to evade the storm. In the words of Arthur Ashe, Start where you are, Use what you have, Do what you can..!!!!
Focus on your Botches
A pivotal key to success is to identifying your mistakes and working on it. Committing mistakes is not a sin but repeating the same mistakes is. UPSC CSE demands you to always be on your toes. A blink of an eye and off goes your name from the list. So, you need to make sure that whatever lacunas that remained during your previous attempts are all well covered.
Make NCERTs your GODFATHER!!!!!!
UPSC CSE is very uncertain, they say. Well, true that..!!! But only a single thing which eternally permanent is the NCERT books for preparation. NCERTs are the most reliable sources of reference for UPSC. If you have not done that, it marks your first big mistake. Covering the basic sources prepares a strong platform over which you can build your UPSC dream.
The Prelims Conundrum
For a lot aspirants, clearing prelims is a major obstacle. Indeed it is…..but with proper guidance and planning it can be cracked and thus you should devote proper timings for current affairs as it is very crucial and being thorough with the UPSC syllabus is very much. It kind of acts as a guide as what all to study and what to leave.
Another aspect is the CSAT paper in prelims. It is just a qualifying paper but UPSC year after year is increasing the difficulty level of the paper. So, the more you practice, the more better.
Optionals and Essay
Optionals and Essays by fair margin, are the decisive factors for the final list. It needs a slight more time of your preparation. An easy strategy will be; to be ready with your optional and essays by December or January latest and then you can wholly devote your time towards the prelims. As far as optionals are concerned, you got to be smart enough to understand the trend of the subject chosen and align your preparation accordingly.
Essay writing is the most common paper which the aspirants tend to ignore. Having done sufficient and timely preparation for the paper will definitely give you an edge over your competitors.
Disciplined and Organized Approach
Discipline is the most important virtue, an aspirant should possess in order to succeed in the long run. Each one preparing for the exam should always understand the importance of time management and proper strategizing of subjects. Have a well-defined target, maybe say for every week in try to complete it. And adding to it, staying away from temptations is always welcomed….!!!!!
Revision and Re-Revision
As the popular saying goes, “Practice makes a man perfect”, sticking to the same also helps. You can cover up all the topics and syllabus that the UPSC has to offer but without proper revisions, it is almost useless. Facts will slip out of your mind and this can prove fatal in the exam hall. You would not want to be at that place for sure. So, revisions perhaps re-revisions are must.
To conclude, these were some of the gems, we wanted you all to carry in your pockets which will help you the footsteps of your dream. Numerous times during your preparations, you will be bogged down by the failures, family and relative’s pressure etc. But what’s in journey without hurdles. We are pretty sure, once you get through this journey….you will have loads of stories to narrate to fellow aspirants and your children. So, get up and get going…This is your opportunity, go grab it with both hands.
All the very best for your journey….!!!!!
Think Positive, Stay healthy….!!!!!!!!
