Doubt: Should I join coaching class or not?
Answer is: If you’ve the time, money and mood, join them, else don’t feel guilty or inferior about it.
I’m copy pasting the Cost comparision by Mr.Gokul G R (IAS, AIR 19, CSE-2010) Option one: You study back home without Coaching
1. General Studies
1. Books : Rs. 3000 – 4000
2. Newspapers : Rs. 250 monthly ( Total : 6000 for 2 years; you will anyway subscribe, whether you are preparing or not)
3. Periodicals : around 1500
4. Internet Net connection : 250 per month ( Total : 6000; you will anyway subscribe, whether you are preparing or not)
5. Total Cost : Around 17000 ( over 2 years )
6. Total Extra cost : Rs. 6000 maximum (minus newspaper and net )
2. Optionals:
1. Books: 4-5 books for humanities optionals ( Mostly Indian Authors). Total cost : Not more than Rs. 3000.
2. 7-8 books for science optionals. Total cost: Not more than Rs. 5000 ( If you are not downloading pirated copies).
3. Total Extra cost : Rs. 14000 ( Highly liberal estimate and spend over 2 years). Use library, old books and you can bring that down to a few thousand rupess. Option two : You go to Delhi to attend coaching.
1. Coaching fees :
G.S : Rs, 50,000
Optionals : Rs. 30,000 each
Total : Rs. 1,10,000 (spot payment)
2. Periodicals, newspapers, net for personal use : Rs. 13,000 over 2 years.
3. High rent and cost of living : Around 10k every month.
Total extra Cost : Around 3 Lakhs ( Conservative estimate; multiply with no.of failed attempts, extra fee for extra coaching etc).
And even after paying such huge, exorbitant costs, the quality of teaching ( as i get to know from fellow aspirants) may not always be up to the mark.
–End of copy paste. If You join a class Types of coaching class sirs Type of teacher Your action 1. He is awesome at teaching. Doesn’t talk anything except teaching. From Day 1 to last day, his teaching quality remains the same. Keep noting down whatever he says- atleast in ‘summery’ form. Even if it given in the books, note down because that will help you in quick revision. 2. Initially he teaches some topics over which he has good command (monsoon, fundamental rights etc) so students feel he is good. But once the fees are deposited…He comes late. During the lecture, He wastes too much time citing how awesome he is, how he knows everything about UPSC and all other personal side talk. (which is usually a sign that he doesn’t have rock solid command over the subject, hence trying to brainwash you.) And when time is over but topic is incomplete, he’d say “read it in my printed material/books”. Curse yourself that you joined his class.Make friends with some serious players in his class and do group study/discussion. 3. Some retired Professor. He teaches stuff in way too much detail like it is a college lecture. Too much details and Ph.D from academic point of view. Just note down any important fact/fodder material, else Curse yourself that you joined his class.
In case you wonder why Type#2 teacher behaves in such bad way, Won’t it hurt his long term business prospects?
1. No it won’t. He’d simply setup shop in a new city or change his brand name. Besides, people usually don’t drag him to consumer court, so he never changes his ways.
2. And he’s good at marketing tricks, so he’d keep getting new sacrificial lambs every year.
And never join a coaching class only because the ad says XYZ topper was from their class, such ads are usually false or half-truths!
There are some State Government run coaching classes in various parts of India
For example
Gujarat has SPIPA, Ahmedabad
Maharahstra has SIAC,Mumbai
Tamil Nadu and UP too have it, I can’t remember the name.
Apart from that, many Caste based coaching classes.
While the teaching quality may not be very good in such classes, but fees are cheap, library and atmosphere, peer-group is good.
So if you’re not a working professional, and not going to Delhi mainly for financial reasons, then just go ahead get admission in such classes. (PS sometimes they’ve entrance exam, but they’re usually similar to UPSC Prelims)
Anyways, once you’ve joined a class anywhere, what to do? #1 don’t take mock tests lightly
If there was a school-test, you’d be worried because your parents or teachers would scold you for low marks. But in coaching class, there is no such pressure.
So, many people take the mock tests very lightly. For e.g. there is mock test of ancient History topic, but you’re preparing polity as per your ‘own time table.’ So you appear in the mock test only for namesake, =you get low marks but you try to placate yourself and make excuse to yourself “koi nai, I had not prepared so I did not get the marks” this approach is wrong. Prepare seriously for every test. #2 Classmates are not your enemies
In the mock tests, If someone is getting more marks than you. He is not your enemy. Try to learn what are you lacking that he has? And make amendments in your preparation accordingly.
Make friends with people who’re as serious or more serious than you in studies. Keep in touch with them even when classes are over. #3 clarify your doubts
During class, many people have doubt in a topic, but they don’t ask the teacher thinking “I would look silly, or other people will also know the answer and they’re my enemies!.”
Usually teachers immediately leave after the class, because they’ve classes elsewhere (or because they don’t want to be bogged down by all querries after class hehehe).
So, whenever you’ve doubt, immediately ask it. #4 follow up action immediately
If your sir taught xyz topic today. Then go home, immediately read the relevant printed material / books/ internet at home. Prepare or upgrade notes if required.
In this way, you’ll get better command over the topic.
If you postpone this work for 15-20 days, then you’re digging your own grave. #5 Never remain absent
Some distant relative/friend’s marriage is no excuse to remain absent in the class. In fact ignore all such marriage ceremonies whether you’ve coaching or not. Your main aim to clear UPSC exam, everything can and must wait.
Even if the ‘sir’s’ teaching quality is bogus, still attend the class, you’ll come home learning two three more things (or revising them during his class) If you don’t join a class
That is- you’re doing self preparation. #1: don’t feel guilty
First of all, throw away any doubt, guilt or inferiority complex that you have e.g.“I’m not going to Delhi so my success chances are less.”
Don’t think in that manner. please avoid company of people who’re thinking in that manner. Because negative vibes are infectious. It creates demotivation and affects your studies.
And once you’ve decided, then don’t doubt your decision or caliber.
Success is very much possible, without coaching. And Following people cracked the exam without coaching (list is not exhaustive):
All India Rank (2011) Year Harshika Singh 8 2011 Om Kasera 17 2011 Gokul G.R. 19 2010 Mohd.Safi 55 2009 #2: Self control
If you goto gym, you see other people are doing more exercise, and got better body than yours. It automatically motivates you to do exercise further.
But if you’re at home, it is easy to lose track, and become complacent about preparation e.g. koi nai, thik hai, there are still many months left before the exam, I’ll ‘manage’
Sorry you can’t manage. Weeks and months will pass like this and just 30 days before the exam, you’ll realize that you haven’t really prepared much throughout the year. Then you start looking for shortcuts i.e. readymade current affairs material etc. = #epicfail.
Don’t let your mood dictate your studies. Spend majority of your day with books, magazines and newspapers only. (if you’re not a working professional). Doubt: Inferiority complex
Some people have this feeling of insecurity, throughout preparation
1. I’m not from a reputed college.
2. I’ve very low score in graduation, I failed in some semester.
3. I don’t have work-experience or extra-curricular certificates.
4. I’m not from English medium…And so on.
^don’t worry. Many People with such profile have cleared the civil service exam.
When an examiner checks your mains answersheet he doesn’t know about all those things.
Even in interview, they don’t really dwell into those topics (unlike IIM interviews hehehe), and even if they notice it, your interview score doesn’t depend on a single variable or single question.
So stop all those negative thoughts. And avoid company of any other person who is spreading such negative vibes.
Besides you can’t go back in History using a time-machine to fix all those things in your life. So just keep moving forward.
Having said this, I’m must also precaution the Future Candidates Still in College
Please donot ignore your college studies. You must strive to get atleast first class (60%) in college exam.
Why?
Because usually your backup plans will require it. For example
1. A General category candidate cannot apply for CAT, if he has less than 50%.
2. In certain specialized State PSC jobs*, Bank recruitments, they explicitly mention it that you’ll need minimum xyz score in your graduation or post graduation.
3. Whenever you go for private company job interview, they look into your graduation score especially if you’ve zero or low work experiance.
*In State PSC there are two type of recruitment one is general large scale recruitment e.g. Deputy collector, DySP, Range Forest officer, Sales Tax inspector etc. in such exams, college marks don’t matter much.
And other type is specialized small scale recruitment e.g. only one or two vacancies in Food and drug Department. Then they want to reduce number of applicants to save time. So they device high graduation marks e.g. only minimum 60% in Graduation or 55% in PG can apply” Same goes for certain Banks. So don’t ignore college studies.
In some colleges and universities, you can get first class with almost zero preparation. But it doesn’t mean you should completely ignore studies.
Again why?
Because during interview @UPSC, State PSC, or any private company…basically at any interview, they usually ask a few questions on your graduation.
And you can’t make an excuse that “sorry I don’t know the answer because I was preparing for UPSC/CAT during college!”
That answer will ruin rest of your interview because then board will start asking uncomfortable questions and turn it into a stress interview.
I hope this doubt is settled. Moving on to next doubt Doubt: Taking a job / PG
Q. I just graduated from college. Should I take job, or pickup Post-Graduation course or directly start preparing for UPSC?
Ans. Depends on your financial situation and family support.
Job part:
If Civil Service is your ultimate goal, you just want a job for pocketmoney and preparation, then look for a job that has minimum workload and travel time = then you can allot max energy for preparation.
For example Computer Lab assistant, receptionist, temporary lecturer etc.
Ofcourse there are no big salaries or quick promotions in such jobs but then you can’t eat “Laddu” with both the hands.
PG part:
Pros: atleast your backup is secured i.e. if you fail in IAS, you can go back private company at a decent job (compared to having single bachelor degree)
Cons:
1. Doing PG from some half**** bogus college hardly has any market value. You’re way better off in bank clerk’s job than the amount of salary one gets through such overhyped PG courses. (more explained in backup plan, in Act V)
2. To get admission in reputed college, one has to give some sort of entrance exam.
3. In reputed college, You may not be left with sufficient time left for UPSC preparation due to assignments and semester exams. But still there is more time and energy than available to working professionals in some fields.
In the end depends on your taste for career backup. Consider all factors and then decide. Doubt: Working Professionals: Leave the job or not?
Question: I’m a working professional, find it hard to allot time for studies. Should I leave job or not?
Answer:
1. There are toppers who cleared civil service exam without leaving job (Om Kasera, Mohd.Safi to cite a few)
2. On the hand there toppers who left the job for preparation because it had become impossible to manage studies with job.
So door swings both ways. Whether you should leave the job or not, depends on many factors
1. Your age
2. Marital status, support of the spouse. (if they ‘superficially’ support but then they and their relatives indirectly keep nagging you all the time =problem.)
3. Family support and family responsibilities (e.g. father is retired or not, sister’s wedding etc.)
4. Financial situation, outstanding loans and EMIs (do you have enough bank balance from your job to survive for next one or two years)
5. Work load, travelling (if it is very low, then no point in leaving job.)
6. Opportunity cost of leaving the job- in terms of promotion and seniority in the private sector (particularly for 27-35 age group candidates.) #A: you leave the job
Then proceed according to the suggestions given for coaching/no-coaching case. #B: you can’t leave the job
Five rules for working professionals, already given Rule #2: You’ve to stop feeling guilty about it
When you think of the word ‘study’, you think of an “activity of reading books for 3-4 hours continuously” just like you did in board exams.”
Unfortunately, this is impossible for a working professional. And when you try to do that (or even think about doing that) it leads to frustration.
If you’re doing a job, you’re actually occupied from 9 AM to 9 PM.(breakfast-traffic-office-work-lunch-work-traffic-dinner)
On weekdays, continuous study for 4-5 hours is impossible, given the jam-packed work-schedule + work and traffic fatigue.
So, accept the truth and don’t feeling guilty or depressed about it. And whatever study time-table you wish to prepare, it must be prepared in light of this truth. Rule #3: You’ve to study in minutes, not in hours
Try to squeeze out 10-15-20 minutes out of your schedule, whenever you can.
For example, Read the theory of aptitude topic at home, in the morning. Go to office, and during the free time, solve 4-5 sums in on go, Instead of trying to finish whole ‘chapters or exercises’ from a book.
Similarly, for GS/ Opt.subject, pick up the book read one or two paragraphs; write the crux in the margin, leave.
Pick up the book again when you’re free and repeat the procedure.
Come back home, study 2-3 hours after dinner. You sum up the minutes and hours you spent studying, It’ll be no less than 4-5 hours. Don't study while in bus or vehicle
In the enthusiasm (or stress) to study for the exam, many candidates keep reading books even while travelling in bus, train or rickshaw, daily.
Problem: vehicle keeps jerking and shaking and so does your book. So, your eye-muscles have to put more effort to read the sentences.
You don't feel it immediately, but in long run, it damages your eyesight.
and since your eyes get more fatigue in 'vehicle reading', you cannot keep yourself awake for a long time in the night.
So, Better keep the eyes fresh in 30 minutes bus journey and instead study for 30 minutes more, at night. My highschool Maths teacher
“I’ve seen a lot of students going to multiple tuition-classes. First class from 4 to 5 and second from 5.30 to 6.30. But What I haven’t seen, is a student who studies between 5 to 5.30.” Anil Kapoor in movie “Tezaab”
Time hotaa nahi hai, Time nikaalnaa padtaa hai.
Rule #4: “Net-surfing” doesn’t equal to “studying”
Working professionals (and students) use internet round the clock in office, in college, at home.
They surf on Wikipedia, read editorials in The Hindu and The Economist etc. and do random seach on geography, history etc.
They think they’re studying. They think they’re using the internet ‘productively’.
Bitter truth: it won’t help you much.
Why?
Because Overreliance on internet = mistake.
The Likelihood of getting a question from some random internet article of Wikipedia or newspaper in UPSC = very less.
Again why?
Because UPSC has to keep in mind the candidates from small towns and villages, who may not have 24/7 internet access. So many questions come from ‘static’ theory part, to give them level playing field.
You’ve to keep the syllabus in mind, and do selective study accordingly, from the standard books rather than trying to do Ph.D on everything from internet.
For example Stem-Cell research: at most you will need 10-12 points to write a descriptive answer. You don’t need to make an “ultra-awesome research note” from 50 different pages on google search.
Initially you’ll feel enthusiastic about doing google-research, but after 15-20 days, you’ll lose the tempo and start feeling nervous thinking “I can never complete the syllabus”
Ofcourse you can search internet for further explanation of a topic. But UPSC exam is not made up of one particular topic alone. It is a mixture of everything. So don’t overdo anything. Your Memory has an expiry Date.
You came across a fantastic article on US-China relations,
it has 7 paragraphs, truckload of statistical and chronological data.
You find 4-5 points, worth quoting in the essay/ interview/ mains answer.
But you’re unlikely to remember or recall those points after 2-3 months, during the actual exam/interview. That’s why… Rule #5: You’ve to do "follow up" instantly
A lot of aspirants just keep cutting newspaper editorials from The Hindu/ Indian express or save webpages, thinking “I’ll do followup on Sunday or after 15 days. I’ll read them later”
Bitter truth: You will never get the time or mood to study those pages ‘later’. Such files only gather dust on your table, and waste space in your hardisk.
Barely 15 days left before the exam, you are under so much pressure to cover all the topics, you’ll have leave the file as it is, without even touching or looking at it.
Besides, if you read the same column after 15 days, you’ll have to re-read each and every sentence.
Lesson: don’t leave anything on future, if you’re reading something: just highlight or underline important stuff or take an extremely short-note of keywords. And move on. Whether it's a book, newspaper, magazine or webpage.
But all ^these suggestions are meaningless, without the first and the most important rule for any competitive exam: Rule #1:
Like it or not, you’ll have to study. , .
Here are some more #1: Rent a room close to office
Travel-fatigue is the main cause of under-preparation. If you’ve to commute for 3-4 hours a day to and from home to office, then it becomes very difficult to wake up till late night. So ideally try to rent a room very close to office (but usually rooms near office, have higher rent- life is always cruel to UPSC aspirant.) #2: Burn the midnight lamp
Irrespective of travel fatigue, try to wake up till 12pm to 1AM. Ya all the fancy medical talk and arguments of long term negative impacts on health. But 6 hours sleep Is sufficient.
a. Lot of teenagers and college kids in metro cities, they usually wake up until midnight doing nothing but facebook, internet surfing and yahoo chat.
b. On the other hand those Corporate barons, IIM grads etc. who mint lakhs of rupees per month. Yes once in while they can indulge in luxuries and fun but otherwise they too work until late night. They may not have travel fatigue but mental stress is even higher.
So on both ends of the spectrum, if people can wake up until late night- why can’t you?
You don’t want to leave job, you don’t wake up till midnight, ….well once again can’t eat “laddu” with both the hands. Success requires sacrifice.
Plus late night preparation would be necessary during ‘loading doze’ period. Not much during “maintenance doze”. So consider this as a temporary problem. #3 Use pendrive
Prepare some notes/mindmaps on homePC or laptop.
Transfer them to pendrive/mobile phone so that you can revise it in office PC or on your mobile phone (if it has windows or android system with all those funky softwares) tablet during free time. Or upload It on google docs for sync between office vs home PC. #4 Use mobile
If you’ve a mobile with Windows system, you can install following softwares
a. Caligrapher (it lets you convert handwriting into text…if phone comes with stylus). There are other programs as well.
b. Evernote or Phatnotes (for arranging notes and data, maintaining diary)
c. Freemind (mobile version)
d. Or export mindmaps made in home/office PC into .jpeg or .png files, transfer it into your mobile/tablet and review them when free.
e. Record notes in your own voice, listen to them when free (instead of listing to music)
These are just examples, there are many good softwares, just google (or try Softpedia.com’s mobile section)
And There will be similar apps for android phone/apple/blackberry/tablets.
In the end use whatever technology or gadget you can afford or use, to help you in preparation.
Now moving to the doubt/issue that affects everyone irrespective of his language medium, job and coaching situation. Time Management
1. Donot try to quantify your study in terms of hours. don’t consciously look at watch “oh yes, I’ve been studying for 1 hour 34 minutes, so let me watch TV now to get ‘fresh’.” This is not a board exam.
2. Some people start drinking tea/coffee or cigarette after every 2 hours. They think it helps them concentrate in studies. (a habit usually picked up during hostel days). Real men don’t need external stimulants. Drinking tea only takes 5 minute, but they’d spend next 30-40 minutes chatting with their buddies at
tea stall or doing nothing on mobile phone. This is not how your prepare for IAS exam.
3. Grow up. Stop sending chain emails and chain SMS around.
4. Avoid pseudo-IAS aspirants. They’re “looking at the finger rather than moon” type. They spend more time in chit-chat, UPSC rumors, politics etc. Can be found on internet, and in coaching classes and library.
5. Avoid Chipkoo people in life and on phone. All they care is timepass.
6. Always Remain offline in gtalk/facebook messanger/yahoo messenger.
7. Einstein said time is relative. You can easily waste 20 minutes surfing TV-channels even if there is no good program on TV. Previously there was orkut, now we’ve facebook. You can easily waste 45 minutes to two hours, doing nothing but clicking your mouse. There is no need to comment on every photo you get tagged in, there is no need to give birthday wishes. There is no need to add more friends to your profile.
8. Fix your email checking time. E.g. only @2PM or 7PM. There is no need to reply to every mail. Use the Gmail “filters” to get rid of bogus people who send Chain email, jokes etc. Mood swings
1. There are somedays when you’re in absolute good mood and read for 7-8-12-15 hours. There are somedays when you’ve no mood and you don’t even touch the newspaper.
2. Perseverance is necessary for success in any competitive exams. Donot let your ^mood to dictate your studies. (Although it is easier said than done.)
3. The mindset “haa thik hai, ho jaayegaa, abhi bahot der hai” (ok, It’ll be done, there is still lot of time left). With this attitude, you’ll digup your own grave.
4. Peace of mind is most important. You fight, debate or argue with someone, then even after the argument is over, you still keep thinking about it, “I should have said this or that. Saale ko thik kar doongaa (I’ll teach him a lesson)”. No my friend, your primary target is UPSC, put your time and energy in studies. Everything else is secondary- don’t waste your time or energy in them. So, Avoid arguments, debates, fights both online and offline.
5. Therefore Avoid people that ruin your mood: both online and offline (except your boss or client!).
6. Avoid “Dukhi Aatmaa” (cry-babies). They’re just too worried about everything. “My friend from Delhi said, UPSC is going to remove optionals and introduce paper on policy science…what will be do!?” “Xyz sir said UPSC will reduce age limit!” They spread their negative vibes on you.
7. Girlfriend usually leaves after 2nd failed attempt in UPSC (can’t blame, you can’t and shouldn’t expect her or her parents to wait for you that long.) Then it creates more heartburning, depression= not good for studies. Therefore UPSC and love affairs are usually not compatible. Pick only one at a time.
8. Similarly avoid temptation or persuasion from parents to get married. Don’t get married until you’re selected in UPSC or you’ve fully executed your career backup plan.
Life of a UPSC aspirant is very cruel. “Outsiders” cannot understand it and they ruin mood with their questions and unwanted advices. For example A He is a UPSC Aspirant. Minding his own damn business, busy eating daal-chawal @wedding reception. B Kya kar rahe ho? (what are you doing?) A Preparing for UPSC. B Still preparing for that exam? You said the same thing last year! A (In his head) because UPSC is three stage process, takes one year to complete.(on face) some diplomatic answer. B Acchaa, my uncle’s son got selected. Why don’t you take tips from him? A (In his head) If UPSC is hellbent in scaling system and BackbreakingTM, there is nothing anybody can do.(on face) sure I’ll contact him. B Leaves A Resumes Minding his own damn business, busy eating daal-chawal. C Makes entry. Repeats the question :Kya kar rahe ho? (what are you doing?) A Same answer. C (He has no interest in knowing what you’re doing. He asked you question only to start conversation and show off how his son is better.)Acchaa.. My Son **** has done MBA from ****. Salary Package is * lakhs and he has ** number of people under his command. So, you Leave this IAS, Bi-AS, join that college! A (in His head) Why the hell do I care how much he earns or how much staff he got! My definition of success is different. (on face) That is really good. C Leaves A Resumes Minding his own damn business.
D D is an old-college batchmate. Same question cycle. D Do you know that our batchmate Mr.X has left company Y and joined company Z and now his salary package is 6 lakhs. He also bought a Honda city (car) and getting married next month. A (in His head) Ya but he was a complete *Gangaajal adjective* so even if he earns 60 crores, buys a Ferrari and marries Katrina Kaif, he is not going to earn my respect or even jealousy. (on face) very good yaar. D Do you remember that girl **** from our college, she and ***** got married/ she started affair with *****, recently I spotted her at *****. A (in His head) because of my UPSC (mis)adventures, I’ve grown up: mentally and emotionally. I don’t care about thosethings like I used to, during the college years hahaha. (on face) some diplomatic answer. D Ok then best of luck. EFGHIJKLMNOPQRST…same things.
Throughout your journey, these conversations are going to repeat in one form or another. Very few people actually understand the pain and struggle involved, rest of them are just phony lip service and mood killers. Therefore:
1. Have tough skin of a salesman. Don’t let their talks affect you. When you come back home, your head should be clear else you cannot concentrate in studies and will ponder more and more about the ‘past’. Sometimes you might even start thinking of quitting UPSC game to join their world- don’t.
2. Don’t announce to everyone that you’re preparing for UPSC. Keep it to yourself, and very few close friends.
3. Avoid social gatherings unless absolutely necessary.
4. Never compare yourself with your batchmates, colleagues, kids of relatives and neighbors.
Answer is: If you’ve the time, money and mood, join them, else don’t feel guilty or inferior about it.
I’m copy pasting the Cost comparision by Mr.Gokul G R (IAS, AIR 19, CSE-2010) Option one: You study back home without Coaching
1. General Studies
1. Books : Rs. 3000 – 4000
2. Newspapers : Rs. 250 monthly ( Total : 6000 for 2 years; you will anyway subscribe, whether you are preparing or not)
3. Periodicals : around 1500
4. Internet Net connection : 250 per month ( Total : 6000; you will anyway subscribe, whether you are preparing or not)
5. Total Cost : Around 17000 ( over 2 years )
6. Total Extra cost : Rs. 6000 maximum (minus newspaper and net )
2. Optionals:
1. Books: 4-5 books for humanities optionals ( Mostly Indian Authors). Total cost : Not more than Rs. 3000.
2. 7-8 books for science optionals. Total cost: Not more than Rs. 5000 ( If you are not downloading pirated copies).
3. Total Extra cost : Rs. 14000 ( Highly liberal estimate and spend over 2 years). Use library, old books and you can bring that down to a few thousand rupess. Option two : You go to Delhi to attend coaching.
1. Coaching fees :
G.S : Rs, 50,000
Optionals : Rs. 30,000 each
Total : Rs. 1,10,000 (spot payment)
2. Periodicals, newspapers, net for personal use : Rs. 13,000 over 2 years.
3. High rent and cost of living : Around 10k every month.
Total extra Cost : Around 3 Lakhs ( Conservative estimate; multiply with no.of failed attempts, extra fee for extra coaching etc).
And even after paying such huge, exorbitant costs, the quality of teaching ( as i get to know from fellow aspirants) may not always be up to the mark.
–End of copy paste. If You join a class Types of coaching class sirs Type of teacher Your action 1. He is awesome at teaching. Doesn’t talk anything except teaching. From Day 1 to last day, his teaching quality remains the same. Keep noting down whatever he says- atleast in ‘summery’ form. Even if it given in the books, note down because that will help you in quick revision. 2. Initially he teaches some topics over which he has good command (monsoon, fundamental rights etc) so students feel he is good. But once the fees are deposited…He comes late. During the lecture, He wastes too much time citing how awesome he is, how he knows everything about UPSC and all other personal side talk. (which is usually a sign that he doesn’t have rock solid command over the subject, hence trying to brainwash you.) And when time is over but topic is incomplete, he’d say “read it in my printed material/books”. Curse yourself that you joined his class.Make friends with some serious players in his class and do group study/discussion. 3. Some retired Professor. He teaches stuff in way too much detail like it is a college lecture. Too much details and Ph.D from academic point of view. Just note down any important fact/fodder material, else Curse yourself that you joined his class.
In case you wonder why Type#2 teacher behaves in such bad way, Won’t it hurt his long term business prospects?
1. No it won’t. He’d simply setup shop in a new city or change his brand name. Besides, people usually don’t drag him to consumer court, so he never changes his ways.
2. And he’s good at marketing tricks, so he’d keep getting new sacrificial lambs every year.
And never join a coaching class only because the ad says XYZ topper was from their class, such ads are usually false or half-truths!
There are some State Government run coaching classes in various parts of India
For example
Gujarat has SPIPA, Ahmedabad
Maharahstra has SIAC,Mumbai
Tamil Nadu and UP too have it, I can’t remember the name.
Apart from that, many Caste based coaching classes.
While the teaching quality may not be very good in such classes, but fees are cheap, library and atmosphere, peer-group is good.
So if you’re not a working professional, and not going to Delhi mainly for financial reasons, then just go ahead get admission in such classes. (PS sometimes they’ve entrance exam, but they’re usually similar to UPSC Prelims)
Anyways, once you’ve joined a class anywhere, what to do? #1 don’t take mock tests lightly
If there was a school-test, you’d be worried because your parents or teachers would scold you for low marks. But in coaching class, there is no such pressure.
So, many people take the mock tests very lightly. For e.g. there is mock test of ancient History topic, but you’re preparing polity as per your ‘own time table.’ So you appear in the mock test only for namesake, =you get low marks but you try to placate yourself and make excuse to yourself “koi nai, I had not prepared so I did not get the marks” this approach is wrong. Prepare seriously for every test. #2 Classmates are not your enemies
In the mock tests, If someone is getting more marks than you. He is not your enemy. Try to learn what are you lacking that he has? And make amendments in your preparation accordingly.
Make friends with people who’re as serious or more serious than you in studies. Keep in touch with them even when classes are over. #3 clarify your doubts
During class, many people have doubt in a topic, but they don’t ask the teacher thinking “I would look silly, or other people will also know the answer and they’re my enemies!.”
Usually teachers immediately leave after the class, because they’ve classes elsewhere (or because they don’t want to be bogged down by all querries after class hehehe).
So, whenever you’ve doubt, immediately ask it. #4 follow up action immediately
If your sir taught xyz topic today. Then go home, immediately read the relevant printed material / books/ internet at home. Prepare or upgrade notes if required.
In this way, you’ll get better command over the topic.
If you postpone this work for 15-20 days, then you’re digging your own grave. #5 Never remain absent
Some distant relative/friend’s marriage is no excuse to remain absent in the class. In fact ignore all such marriage ceremonies whether you’ve coaching or not. Your main aim to clear UPSC exam, everything can and must wait.
Even if the ‘sir’s’ teaching quality is bogus, still attend the class, you’ll come home learning two three more things (or revising them during his class) If you don’t join a class
That is- you’re doing self preparation. #1: don’t feel guilty
First of all, throw away any doubt, guilt or inferiority complex that you have e.g.“I’m not going to Delhi so my success chances are less.”
Don’t think in that manner. please avoid company of people who’re thinking in that manner. Because negative vibes are infectious. It creates demotivation and affects your studies.
And once you’ve decided, then don’t doubt your decision or caliber.
Success is very much possible, without coaching. And Following people cracked the exam without coaching (list is not exhaustive):
All India Rank (2011) Year Harshika Singh 8 2011 Om Kasera 17 2011 Gokul G.R. 19 2010 Mohd.Safi 55 2009 #2: Self control
If you goto gym, you see other people are doing more exercise, and got better body than yours. It automatically motivates you to do exercise further.
But if you’re at home, it is easy to lose track, and become complacent about preparation e.g. koi nai, thik hai, there are still many months left before the exam, I’ll ‘manage’
Sorry you can’t manage. Weeks and months will pass like this and just 30 days before the exam, you’ll realize that you haven’t really prepared much throughout the year. Then you start looking for shortcuts i.e. readymade current affairs material etc. = #epicfail.
Don’t let your mood dictate your studies. Spend majority of your day with books, magazines and newspapers only. (if you’re not a working professional). Doubt: Inferiority complex
Some people have this feeling of insecurity, throughout preparation
1. I’m not from a reputed college.
2. I’ve very low score in graduation, I failed in some semester.
3. I don’t have work-experience or extra-curricular certificates.
4. I’m not from English medium…And so on.
^don’t worry. Many People with such profile have cleared the civil service exam.
When an examiner checks your mains answersheet he doesn’t know about all those things.
Even in interview, they don’t really dwell into those topics (unlike IIM interviews hehehe), and even if they notice it, your interview score doesn’t depend on a single variable or single question.
So stop all those negative thoughts. And avoid company of any other person who is spreading such negative vibes.
Besides you can’t go back in History using a time-machine to fix all those things in your life. So just keep moving forward.
Having said this, I’m must also precaution the Future Candidates Still in College
Please donot ignore your college studies. You must strive to get atleast first class (60%) in college exam.
Why?
Because usually your backup plans will require it. For example
1. A General category candidate cannot apply for CAT, if he has less than 50%.
2. In certain specialized State PSC jobs*, Bank recruitments, they explicitly mention it that you’ll need minimum xyz score in your graduation or post graduation.
3. Whenever you go for private company job interview, they look into your graduation score especially if you’ve zero or low work experiance.
*In State PSC there are two type of recruitment one is general large scale recruitment e.g. Deputy collector, DySP, Range Forest officer, Sales Tax inspector etc. in such exams, college marks don’t matter much.
And other type is specialized small scale recruitment e.g. only one or two vacancies in Food and drug Department. Then they want to reduce number of applicants to save time. So they device high graduation marks e.g. only minimum 60% in Graduation or 55% in PG can apply” Same goes for certain Banks. So don’t ignore college studies.
In some colleges and universities, you can get first class with almost zero preparation. But it doesn’t mean you should completely ignore studies.
Again why?
Because during interview @UPSC, State PSC, or any private company…basically at any interview, they usually ask a few questions on your graduation.
And you can’t make an excuse that “sorry I don’t know the answer because I was preparing for UPSC/CAT during college!”
That answer will ruin rest of your interview because then board will start asking uncomfortable questions and turn it into a stress interview.
I hope this doubt is settled. Moving on to next doubt Doubt: Taking a job / PG
Q. I just graduated from college. Should I take job, or pickup Post-Graduation course or directly start preparing for UPSC?
Ans. Depends on your financial situation and family support.
Job part:
If Civil Service is your ultimate goal, you just want a job for pocketmoney and preparation, then look for a job that has minimum workload and travel time = then you can allot max energy for preparation.
For example Computer Lab assistant, receptionist, temporary lecturer etc.
Ofcourse there are no big salaries or quick promotions in such jobs but then you can’t eat “Laddu” with both the hands.
PG part:
Pros: atleast your backup is secured i.e. if you fail in IAS, you can go back private company at a decent job (compared to having single bachelor degree)
Cons:
1. Doing PG from some half**** bogus college hardly has any market value. You’re way better off in bank clerk’s job than the amount of salary one gets through such overhyped PG courses. (more explained in backup plan, in Act V)
2. To get admission in reputed college, one has to give some sort of entrance exam.
3. In reputed college, You may not be left with sufficient time left for UPSC preparation due to assignments and semester exams. But still there is more time and energy than available to working professionals in some fields.
In the end depends on your taste for career backup. Consider all factors and then decide. Doubt: Working Professionals: Leave the job or not?
Question: I’m a working professional, find it hard to allot time for studies. Should I leave job or not?
Answer:
1. There are toppers who cleared civil service exam without leaving job (Om Kasera, Mohd.Safi to cite a few)
2. On the hand there toppers who left the job for preparation because it had become impossible to manage studies with job.
So door swings both ways. Whether you should leave the job or not, depends on many factors
1. Your age
2. Marital status, support of the spouse. (if they ‘superficially’ support but then they and their relatives indirectly keep nagging you all the time =problem.)
3. Family support and family responsibilities (e.g. father is retired or not, sister’s wedding etc.)
4. Financial situation, outstanding loans and EMIs (do you have enough bank balance from your job to survive for next one or two years)
5. Work load, travelling (if it is very low, then no point in leaving job.)
6. Opportunity cost of leaving the job- in terms of promotion and seniority in the private sector (particularly for 27-35 age group candidates.) #A: you leave the job
Then proceed according to the suggestions given for coaching/no-coaching case. #B: you can’t leave the job
Five rules for working professionals, already given Rule #2: You’ve to stop feeling guilty about it
When you think of the word ‘study’, you think of an “activity of reading books for 3-4 hours continuously” just like you did in board exams.”
Unfortunately, this is impossible for a working professional. And when you try to do that (or even think about doing that) it leads to frustration.
If you’re doing a job, you’re actually occupied from 9 AM to 9 PM.(breakfast-traffic-office-work-lunch-work-traffic-dinner)
On weekdays, continuous study for 4-5 hours is impossible, given the jam-packed work-schedule + work and traffic fatigue.
So, accept the truth and don’t feeling guilty or depressed about it. And whatever study time-table you wish to prepare, it must be prepared in light of this truth. Rule #3: You’ve to study in minutes, not in hours
Try to squeeze out 10-15-20 minutes out of your schedule, whenever you can.
For example, Read the theory of aptitude topic at home, in the morning. Go to office, and during the free time, solve 4-5 sums in on go, Instead of trying to finish whole ‘chapters or exercises’ from a book.
Similarly, for GS/ Opt.subject, pick up the book read one or two paragraphs; write the crux in the margin, leave.
Pick up the book again when you’re free and repeat the procedure.
Come back home, study 2-3 hours after dinner. You sum up the minutes and hours you spent studying, It’ll be no less than 4-5 hours. Don't study while in bus or vehicle
In the enthusiasm (or stress) to study for the exam, many candidates keep reading books even while travelling in bus, train or rickshaw, daily.
Problem: vehicle keeps jerking and shaking and so does your book. So, your eye-muscles have to put more effort to read the sentences.
You don't feel it immediately, but in long run, it damages your eyesight.
and since your eyes get more fatigue in 'vehicle reading', you cannot keep yourself awake for a long time in the night.
So, Better keep the eyes fresh in 30 minutes bus journey and instead study for 30 minutes more, at night. My highschool Maths teacher
“I’ve seen a lot of students going to multiple tuition-classes. First class from 4 to 5 and second from 5.30 to 6.30. But What I haven’t seen, is a student who studies between 5 to 5.30.” Anil Kapoor in movie “Tezaab”
Time hotaa nahi hai, Time nikaalnaa padtaa hai.
Rule #4: “Net-surfing” doesn’t equal to “studying”
Working professionals (and students) use internet round the clock in office, in college, at home.
They surf on Wikipedia, read editorials in The Hindu and The Economist etc. and do random seach on geography, history etc.
They think they’re studying. They think they’re using the internet ‘productively’.
Bitter truth: it won’t help you much.
Why?
Because Overreliance on internet = mistake.
The Likelihood of getting a question from some random internet article of Wikipedia or newspaper in UPSC = very less.
Again why?
Because UPSC has to keep in mind the candidates from small towns and villages, who may not have 24/7 internet access. So many questions come from ‘static’ theory part, to give them level playing field.
You’ve to keep the syllabus in mind, and do selective study accordingly, from the standard books rather than trying to do Ph.D on everything from internet.
For example Stem-Cell research: at most you will need 10-12 points to write a descriptive answer. You don’t need to make an “ultra-awesome research note” from 50 different pages on google search.
Initially you’ll feel enthusiastic about doing google-research, but after 15-20 days, you’ll lose the tempo and start feeling nervous thinking “I can never complete the syllabus”
Ofcourse you can search internet for further explanation of a topic. But UPSC exam is not made up of one particular topic alone. It is a mixture of everything. So don’t overdo anything. Your Memory has an expiry Date.
You came across a fantastic article on US-China relations,
it has 7 paragraphs, truckload of statistical and chronological data.
You find 4-5 points, worth quoting in the essay/ interview/ mains answer.
But you’re unlikely to remember or recall those points after 2-3 months, during the actual exam/interview. That’s why… Rule #5: You’ve to do "follow up" instantly
A lot of aspirants just keep cutting newspaper editorials from The Hindu/ Indian express or save webpages, thinking “I’ll do followup on Sunday or after 15 days. I’ll read them later”
Bitter truth: You will never get the time or mood to study those pages ‘later’. Such files only gather dust on your table, and waste space in your hardisk.
Barely 15 days left before the exam, you are under so much pressure to cover all the topics, you’ll have leave the file as it is, without even touching or looking at it.
Besides, if you read the same column after 15 days, you’ll have to re-read each and every sentence.
Lesson: don’t leave anything on future, if you’re reading something: just highlight or underline important stuff or take an extremely short-note of keywords. And move on. Whether it's a book, newspaper, magazine or webpage.
But all ^these suggestions are meaningless, without the first and the most important rule for any competitive exam: Rule #1:
Like it or not, you’ll have to study. , .
Here are some more #1: Rent a room close to office
Travel-fatigue is the main cause of under-preparation. If you’ve to commute for 3-4 hours a day to and from home to office, then it becomes very difficult to wake up till late night. So ideally try to rent a room very close to office (but usually rooms near office, have higher rent- life is always cruel to UPSC aspirant.) #2: Burn the midnight lamp
Irrespective of travel fatigue, try to wake up till 12pm to 1AM. Ya all the fancy medical talk and arguments of long term negative impacts on health. But 6 hours sleep Is sufficient.
a. Lot of teenagers and college kids in metro cities, they usually wake up until midnight doing nothing but facebook, internet surfing and yahoo chat.
b. On the other hand those Corporate barons, IIM grads etc. who mint lakhs of rupees per month. Yes once in while they can indulge in luxuries and fun but otherwise they too work until late night. They may not have travel fatigue but mental stress is even higher.
So on both ends of the spectrum, if people can wake up until late night- why can’t you?
You don’t want to leave job, you don’t wake up till midnight, ….well once again can’t eat “laddu” with both the hands. Success requires sacrifice.
Plus late night preparation would be necessary during ‘loading doze’ period. Not much during “maintenance doze”. So consider this as a temporary problem. #3 Use pendrive
Prepare some notes/mindmaps on homePC or laptop.
Transfer them to pendrive/mobile phone so that you can revise it in office PC or on your mobile phone (if it has windows or android system with all those funky softwares) tablet during free time. Or upload It on google docs for sync between office vs home PC. #4 Use mobile
If you’ve a mobile with Windows system, you can install following softwares
a. Caligrapher (it lets you convert handwriting into text…if phone comes with stylus). There are other programs as well.
b. Evernote or Phatnotes (for arranging notes and data, maintaining diary)
c. Freemind (mobile version)
d. Or export mindmaps made in home/office PC into .jpeg or .png files, transfer it into your mobile/tablet and review them when free.
e. Record notes in your own voice, listen to them when free (instead of listing to music)
These are just examples, there are many good softwares, just google (or try Softpedia.com’s mobile section)
And There will be similar apps for android phone/apple/blackberry/tablets.
In the end use whatever technology or gadget you can afford or use, to help you in preparation.
Now moving to the doubt/issue that affects everyone irrespective of his language medium, job and coaching situation. Time Management
1. Donot try to quantify your study in terms of hours. don’t consciously look at watch “oh yes, I’ve been studying for 1 hour 34 minutes, so let me watch TV now to get ‘fresh’.” This is not a board exam.
2. Some people start drinking tea/coffee or cigarette after every 2 hours. They think it helps them concentrate in studies. (a habit usually picked up during hostel days). Real men don’t need external stimulants. Drinking tea only takes 5 minute, but they’d spend next 30-40 minutes chatting with their buddies at
tea stall or doing nothing on mobile phone. This is not how your prepare for IAS exam.
3. Grow up. Stop sending chain emails and chain SMS around.
4. Avoid pseudo-IAS aspirants. They’re “looking at the finger rather than moon” type. They spend more time in chit-chat, UPSC rumors, politics etc. Can be found on internet, and in coaching classes and library.
5. Avoid Chipkoo people in life and on phone. All they care is timepass.
6. Always Remain offline in gtalk/facebook messanger/yahoo messenger.
7. Einstein said time is relative. You can easily waste 20 minutes surfing TV-channels even if there is no good program on TV. Previously there was orkut, now we’ve facebook. You can easily waste 45 minutes to two hours, doing nothing but clicking your mouse. There is no need to comment on every photo you get tagged in, there is no need to give birthday wishes. There is no need to add more friends to your profile.
8. Fix your email checking time. E.g. only @2PM or 7PM. There is no need to reply to every mail. Use the Gmail “filters” to get rid of bogus people who send Chain email, jokes etc. Mood swings
1. There are somedays when you’re in absolute good mood and read for 7-8-12-15 hours. There are somedays when you’ve no mood and you don’t even touch the newspaper.
2. Perseverance is necessary for success in any competitive exams. Donot let your ^mood to dictate your studies. (Although it is easier said than done.)
3. The mindset “haa thik hai, ho jaayegaa, abhi bahot der hai” (ok, It’ll be done, there is still lot of time left). With this attitude, you’ll digup your own grave.
4. Peace of mind is most important. You fight, debate or argue with someone, then even after the argument is over, you still keep thinking about it, “I should have said this or that. Saale ko thik kar doongaa (I’ll teach him a lesson)”. No my friend, your primary target is UPSC, put your time and energy in studies. Everything else is secondary- don’t waste your time or energy in them. So, Avoid arguments, debates, fights both online and offline.
5. Therefore Avoid people that ruin your mood: both online and offline (except your boss or client!).
6. Avoid “Dukhi Aatmaa” (cry-babies). They’re just too worried about everything. “My friend from Delhi said, UPSC is going to remove optionals and introduce paper on policy science…what will be do!?” “Xyz sir said UPSC will reduce age limit!” They spread their negative vibes on you.
7. Girlfriend usually leaves after 2nd failed attempt in UPSC (can’t blame, you can’t and shouldn’t expect her or her parents to wait for you that long.) Then it creates more heartburning, depression= not good for studies. Therefore UPSC and love affairs are usually not compatible. Pick only one at a time.
8. Similarly avoid temptation or persuasion from parents to get married. Don’t get married until you’re selected in UPSC or you’ve fully executed your career backup plan.
Life of a UPSC aspirant is very cruel. “Outsiders” cannot understand it and they ruin mood with their questions and unwanted advices. For example A He is a UPSC Aspirant. Minding his own damn business, busy eating daal-chawal @wedding reception. B Kya kar rahe ho? (what are you doing?) A Preparing for UPSC. B Still preparing for that exam? You said the same thing last year! A (In his head) because UPSC is three stage process, takes one year to complete.(on face) some diplomatic answer. B Acchaa, my uncle’s son got selected. Why don’t you take tips from him? A (In his head) If UPSC is hellbent in scaling system and BackbreakingTM, there is nothing anybody can do.(on face) sure I’ll contact him. B Leaves A Resumes Minding his own damn business, busy eating daal-chawal. C Makes entry. Repeats the question :Kya kar rahe ho? (what are you doing?) A Same answer. C (He has no interest in knowing what you’re doing. He asked you question only to start conversation and show off how his son is better.)Acchaa.. My Son **** has done MBA from ****. Salary Package is * lakhs and he has ** number of people under his command. So, you Leave this IAS, Bi-AS, join that college! A (in His head) Why the hell do I care how much he earns or how much staff he got! My definition of success is different. (on face) That is really good. C Leaves A Resumes Minding his own damn business.
D D is an old-college batchmate. Same question cycle. D Do you know that our batchmate Mr.X has left company Y and joined company Z and now his salary package is 6 lakhs. He also bought a Honda city (car) and getting married next month. A (in His head) Ya but he was a complete *Gangaajal adjective* so even if he earns 60 crores, buys a Ferrari and marries Katrina Kaif, he is not going to earn my respect or even jealousy. (on face) very good yaar. D Do you remember that girl **** from our college, she and ***** got married/ she started affair with *****, recently I spotted her at *****. A (in His head) because of my UPSC (mis)adventures, I’ve grown up: mentally and emotionally. I don’t care about thosethings like I used to, during the college years hahaha. (on face) some diplomatic answer. D Ok then best of luck. EFGHIJKLMNOPQRST…same things.
Throughout your journey, these conversations are going to repeat in one form or another. Very few people actually understand the pain and struggle involved, rest of them are just phony lip service and mood killers. Therefore:
1. Have tough skin of a salesman. Don’t let their talks affect you. When you come back home, your head should be clear else you cannot concentrate in studies and will ponder more and more about the ‘past’. Sometimes you might even start thinking of quitting UPSC game to join their world- don’t.
2. Don’t announce to everyone that you’re preparing for UPSC. Keep it to yourself, and very few close friends.
3. Avoid social gatherings unless absolutely necessary.
4. Never compare yourself with your batchmates, colleagues, kids of relatives and neighbors.