How to set effective Time Table for IAS Preparation?

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How to set effective Time Table for IAS
Preparation?
www.o2iasacademy.in
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INTRODUCTION

• Every year lakhs of aspirants appear for
  prestigious IAS PCS HAS HCS exams. However,
  very few aspirants are able to clear various
  stages of the examination process. And the reason
  is not the lack of knowledge. The culprit is
  erroneous Civil Service exam preparation
  strategy, poor time management skills and
  inability to adhere to a good time table. IAS
  Aspirants tend to believe that there exists some
  ideal magic in IAS toppers timetable which the
  successful candidates followed to clear the exam.
  We, at O2 IAS Academy, believe that religiously
  and regularly following daily practicable
  targets, mock test and repeated revision to boost
  your IAS preparation is all it takes to clear
  Civil Services Examination. For aspirants
  studying Coaching institutes in Chandigarh and
  other parts of India who are struggling to make
  their own study plan, we are listing out a
  guideline for an ideal routine which can be
  customized as per personal requirements.

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What are the various aspects one should take into
consideration while drafting a custom time table
for Preparation of Civil Services Examination
(CSE)?

• Some tips to keep in mind while drafting a time
  table
• It is important to have a long-term strategy for
  the CSE before you start planning a daily
  routine. Divide long-term strategy into doable
  monthly, weekly and finally daily targets. This
  will aid in keeping track of progress.
• It is always advisable to plan in advance for
  your monthly, weekly and daily targets. And later
  review your progress every 30 days.When setting
  a daily study plan always account for breaks and
  its timings, time for pursuing hobbies, family
  time and extracurricular activities.

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What are the various aspects one should take into
consideration while drafting a custom time table
for Preparation of Civil Services Examination
(CSE)?

• Do not try to set study sessions which are too
  long such as 4 hours or 5 hours. It is best to
  divide your daily schedule into 3-4 study
  sessions of 2-3 hours each.
• After completing one study session take a short
  break. According to scientific studies,
  productivity and concentration start decreasing
  beyond 45 minutes. Thus after every 45- 50
  minutes study session take a break of 10-15
  minutes
• Following e a healthy diet and maintaining a good
  sleep regimen is a must for physical and mental
  health.
• Finish daily morning chores things like taking
  bath, brushing teeth etc within 45 minutes.
• Multitasking is not to be done while studying. Do
  no study and use social media at the same time.

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What are the various aspects one should take into
consideration while drafting a custom time table
for Preparation of Civil Services Examination
(CSE)?

• Always make sure that there are no distractions
  while studying. For eg Always keep the phone at
  silent mode, Log off from social media while
  studying.
• Do not pile up books and try to read them all in
  a week. Cover standard sources like NCERTs,
  newspaper, Current Affairs etc in a timely manner
  from a single source. It is not feasible to study
  a single subject for 10 hours a day (e.g.
  Laxmikanth Polity, Spectrum or Bipin Chandra for
  History. You should instead read a larger topic 2
  hours a day for 5 days. This is will enable you
  to retain what you study for a longer period of
  time and complete thick book without feeling any
  undue pressure.

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How Do I stick to my planned study routine during
Civil services Preparation?

• Important PointYou have to be your own guard.
  Meaning that if you are setting a
  monthly/weekly/daily target then you have to make
  sure that you execute it. Since no one else going
  to either award or punish you for achieving or
  slacking in following your time table. You have
  to religiously follow your strategy and time
  table and always remember the motivation behind
  why you are for this exam. So prepare
  holistically and consider this journey sacred.

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What should be the General (annual) Plan for
Civil Services Exam Preparation?

• From July to November this should be the time
  when you follow an integrated pre mains strategy.
  You have to study for GS-1 to GS-4, read the
  newspaper (The Hindu), anyone Magazine
  (optional), prepare for Essay. This is also the
  appropriate time to decide your optional subject
  for mains and start preparation for Optional
  subject of your choice. Read all standard books
  like NCERT, Laxmikant, Bipin Chandra and study
  material package of a renowned coaching class for
  General Studies Prelims and Mains as well during
  this time compile notes where indispensable.
  Occasionally, watch the parliamentary discussion
  and other debates on Rajya Sabha TV and Lok Sabha
  TV.
• From December to March now you should slowly
  start giving more time to pre-oriented
  preparation an along with that newspaper, and
  some mains prep will continue side by side.

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What should be the General (annual) Plan for
Civil Services Exam Preparation?

• You should keep aside and reserve April and May
  strictly only for revision purpose.
• Since now CSAT has been made qualifying solve
  books for CSAT from November onwards if you are
  weak in CSAT otherwise 1-2 months is enough to
  qualify CSAT.
• If you are weak in Language paper only and only
  then give a slow start to language paper
  preparation in writing and that will be
  intermittently not daily.

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General time table guidelines

• 600 AM-8 AM Wake up, Rise Shine Exercise,
  Meditate, do some Yoga or any light Physical
  activity eg a brisk walk. This will make you
  alert by increasing blood flow to the brain.
  Meditation Yoga relax the mind, reduce stress
  thus helping you prepare for the tough schedule
  ahead.
• Take Bath.
• Have a nutritious Breakfast.
• 800 AM By 8 be ready for study session by
  finishing your breakfast and reach the reading
  room in your house/hostel/library.
• 800 - 1000 AM Read The Hindu and analyse
  UPSC syllabus related current affairs and make
  notes.
• 1030-11 AM Revise previous days study topics,
  evaluate all the topics studied the day before.
  This will help in building continuity for topics.
• 11 AM Take a small Tea break from the long The
  Hindu study session. a tea break will refresh
  your mind and body. Try to relax your mind. Avoid
  thinking about study topics during this time. 

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General time table guidelines

• 1130 AM - 100 PM Study topic according to your
  weekly plan. so the portions which you will read
  every day will be decided according to the weekly
  plan.
• 100 PM - 200 PM Lunch. Keep your lunch light
  to avoid stomach troubles and lethargy.
• 200 - 300 PM A short nap or relaxation time
• 330 - 500 PM  Continue with study session. I
  take a small break 10 min break after 45 mins.
  With your mind and focus already focused and
  warmed up after Study Session I, it will be
  easier to understand topics in this session.
• 500 PM Evening tea small talk. Try to relax
  your mind. Avoid thinking about study topics
  during this time. You can meet up with your study
  group during this time and do some personality
  and skill development activities like debates,
  group discussions etc. This will make you
  familiar with different viewpoints on various
  topics and lead to improvement in your
  interpersonal communication skills. 

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General time table guidelines

• 600 PM Daily Writing practice
• 700 PM Peer review of answers and their
  discussion.
• 8 PM Dinner
• 900 - 1100 PM Optional paper
• 1100 PM Some networking, watching one episode
  of any TV series or any other miscellaneous
  activity.
• Sundays Either all Sundays can be kept as half
  days or any 2 days per month can be taken as full
  off day from study routine. You can catch up with
  social obligations or hobbies during this time
  such as watching movies, lunch with friends etc.

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Conclusion
Time is one of the most important resources in
the world. It holds even more important in the
life of IAS aspirants, who are preparing for one
of the toughest entrance examinations of the
country. Time management related questions are
the most recurring questions in IAS coaching
institutes in Chandigarh and India. This pattern
evidently exhibits the lack of understanding
among the aspirants regarding construction of an
effective time management strategy. We, at O2 IAS
Academy, believe that time management is a
continuous process and not just a schedule. It is
very subjective and thus what works for one
person may not work for another. Since different
IAS candidates will have their own unique study
patterns and associated goals. But this timetable
can be easily modified to meet them as and where
needed. If you can usually achieve 90 of the
target then you are on the right path. Remember
you cannot push yourself to study 1516 hours for
more than a month and if you try to then you will
end up wearing yourself out and you will be run
out of the game. Thus take it one day at a time.
Try to enjoy your UPSC journey and you will soon
have a taste of success.
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Conclusion
We hope that these tips will help you. These
were our views and opinions on this topic. What
are your thoughts and inputs or queries on this
topic? Comment below and share your views with
us. We would be happy to assist you in your UPSC
preparation battles and answer your queries.
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