When we begin the UPSC preparation, none of us ever imagines exhausting all our attempts. We all dream and hope to reach LBSNAA in the second or third attempt if not in the very first attempt. But sometimes destiny has other plans and it brings us to a scary place called THE LAST ATTEMPT. If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in such a place, keep calm, the battle is not over yet.
The preparation in the last attempt takes a special toll on the mind because of the added pressure of expectations in the backdrop of past failures. As someone who has gone through the process and failed to clear the exam, I am fully aware of the daily struggles one goes through in the last year of preparation. Here’s a complete guide on how to survive this last year without losing the sanity.
Cut the Clutter
Distractions are the devil’s way of derailing you from your dreams. Do not let these shallow distractions consume you. Protect your aspirations from the demon’s grasp. Take proactive measures to eliminate all forms of distractions for the upcoming year, and you will thank yourself later. Trust me when I say that regrets are agonizing and can haunt you for a long time. If you’re easily tempted by cheap dopamine fixes, stay away from social media platforms. Turn off all notifications when you’re sitting down to study, and if possible, switch off your phone entirely. There are seldom true emergencies.
Another very important aspect of cutting the clutter, especially when you are staying away from home is watching how much time you are spending on your daily unavoidables. These are the tasks such as taking showers, having snacks, going for tea, preparing meals and having meals. I remember, when I was in Delhi, I, along with my roommates spent a considerable amount of time buying groceries and making all other arrangements around meals. Its quite obvious in retrospect that it is much more convenient if you can delegate all such stuff and get the tiffin instead of having a maid come and cook for you. I know, one gets tired of monotonous tiffin food after a certain period of time but I believe its too much of work to cook and interrupts the preparation. Basically, Streamline your schedule.
I can’t stress this enough – don’t start a new romantic relationship during this period of preparation. If you’re already in one, don’t end it either. Stick to the status quo to prevent any emotional turbulence that comes with either beginning or ending a relationship. Sure, your partner can be a source of motivation and support during these trying times, but the last attempt is too crucial to risk. Maintain the status-quo.
Another common distraction during this period is being preoccupied with political gossip, stock market speculations, start-up ideas, and other irrelevant topics. If you’re serious about your goal, then focus on it. If you have no intention of fighting an election, then why waste your time on political gossip? Similarly, if you have no interest in being a day trader, stop speculating. If you’re not convinced about your start-up idea, then why jeopardize this valuable opportunity? Stay focused and give it your all. This is your shot at achieving that All India Rank you have been rooting for. Preserve your focus as if it’s the most sacred thing in the world.
“The result of information overload is usually distraction, and it dilutes your focus and takes you off your game.”
Zig Ziglar.
Protect your Health
In the pursuit of Civil Services dream we keep putting off so many things, one of them is Health. A Healthy body can help you study for long hours without getting fatigued. Spending time on jogging/running/weight training seems counterintuitive to the naïve but its crucial to not only improving your stamina for long grueling hours but also keeps your immune system strong, thereby keeping infections at bay and saving you sick days.
Not only does it help physically but also has significant impact on your mental health and anxiety levels. Long walks can be meditative and can be used for mental revisions. A healthy and fit body brings confidence that percolates in other aspects of your personality. More so the preparation need not to be prison work. Use exercise time as your escape instead of taking solace in the cheap Social Media and YouTube dopamine.
“Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.”
Denis Waitley.
Audit the Preparation
The number one reason most candidates (Myself included) reach the last attempt of UPSC preparation is simply because they go on mindlessly taking attempt after attempt without really asking the difficult question : What went wrong? As a result we keep repeating the same old mistakes and end up burning in the same old fire.
To avoid this, it’s important to be brutally honest about past failures and the reasons behind them. By consciously and honestly listing all the reasons for past failures, you can identify the areas you need to improve on. It’s essential to write down as many reasons as possible and be specific. For example, instead of writing “I didn’t study enough.” you can write, “I did not allocate enough time for Optional. or CSAT.” Or instead of writing “I procrastinated a lot,” you can write, “I watched too many reels.” or “I went on too many dates.” or “watched too many web series.” and so on. This way you specifically know what’s holding you back. And once you know your shortcomings to detail, you can work upon it.
Once you have done the audit of past years, dedicate couple of hours at the end of each month to audit your month’s preparation so that you can perpetually do better month on month. Putting this kind of a system in place will make your preparation more accountable and structured.
“Take accountability… Blame is the water in which many dreams and relationships drown.”
Steve Maraboli.
Say NO
This is generally applicable to all the UPSC aspirants and not just for those toiling for one last time. Your ability to say NO will enhance your chances of seeing your name in the final list quite drastically. Of all the skills you need to get to the other side, I believe saying NO is the game changer. Say NO to anything that doesn’t serve the purpose. Learn to be unapologetic regarding your daily schedule. Have the strength to say NO to small talks, casual gatherings, daydreaming, doom scrolling the internet and everything in between.
When you say YES to every single thing, you are saying NO to the most important thing. You only have finite number of days to achieve your goal. Saying NO can be empowering as it saves you from overwhelming yourself and being resentful later. It will be challenging at first especially if you are a people pleaser. Shouldn’t that be all the more reason to do it at this crucial juncture.
By saying NO, you can prioritize your own schedule, enhance productivity and set stronger boundaries. It leaves you with more space and mental peace to focus on what matters the most. In your UPSC journey, the ability to say NO, will be your superpower.
“What you don’t do determines what you can do.”
Tim Ferriss.
Reduce Dependence
By the time you reach your ultimate attempt, you generally figure out most of the stuff. What books to read, what videos to watch, which test series to buy et cetera. So, do the work, reduce dependence on the coaching institutes. I am not saying reinvent the wheel and take notes from the scratch for all the subjects. No. What I am suggesting is, put some extra efforts if you don’t understand the topic. Go find some original sources and government websites. Don’t just depend too much on coaching institutes. It is only in the initial days of UPSC preparation when you are clueless about everything that the coaching classes help you. Beyond that it is largely hard work, sheer back breaking labor.
If you need to have someone explain to you the current affairs, after five years of preparation and what part of the syllabus the news relate to, or even worse, what news to read from the day’s newspaper, you are in for a rude shock as this year ends. If this is you, introspect and make amends.
“Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”
Chinese Proverb.
Have a Mentor
It’s helpful if you have someone to look over your preparation through this phase. It could be a teacher, senior, a friend who has cleared the exam. It could also be some topper whom you don’t personally know but is accessible over social media. I have dissuaded you from using all kinds of Social Media, I know I know. This could be an exception. Reach out to toppers and seek help regarding a specific issue you are facing. If you are lucky you might get guidance.
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.“
Sir Isaac Newton.
The Best Test Series
There are numerous test series in the market for both Preliminary and Main examination. Join any one you like. But don’t stop there. There is a best test series out there, completely free and better than any coaching institute. It’s the Previous Year Papers available on the website of the UPSC. Download the PDFs, and solve them as many times as you can. Note down the themes. Get it evaluated by a friend/senior/teachers. Take hints from the questions, read the topics around it, make metal maps. This single change in the preparation will do wonders for you. I wish I had realized the importance of Past Years Papers early in my preparation. Don’t lose out just because its free.
“The best things in life are free.”
Luther Vandross
Ultimately, there are ‘n’ number of things that could go wrong in an exam as vast and uncertain as UPSC CSE. The point is reaching the last day of your preparation without regrets. Being able to say that I did all that I could, and all that I should.
It is my sincere wish that you toil hard in your last attempt and come out on the other side with flying colors.
All the best.