Indian Administrative Service (IAS), is considered to be one of the toughest competitive examinations of India. Every year, many people take this exam, to test their luck and hard work and achieve this prestigious post.
A way or timetable for overcoming a short time and lengthy syllabus will help the aspirant for effective and efficient IAS preparation and set priorities and have control over the timeframe.
Discipline is a precondition for any exam preparation and in the case of IAS exam preparation it is meant like a bridge for accomplishing goals, without self-discipline it is forceful to achieve success.
To cover the IAS syllabus in detail we must stick to the unnecessary activities that pay us nothing in the future. Instead of this, we can add up other activities such as reading history, searching for current affairs, vulnerable subjects, and good exercise.
How to Make an Effective Timetable for IAS Preparation
To accomplish success in IAS, a timetable should be followed for effective IAS Exam preparation with proper time management.
The following guidelines may help to make an effective timetable to succeed in the exam if followed with hard work and dedication:
Time Management
IAS exam preparation demands an extensive study so one should always manage the time according to the syllabus. Long and complicated topics should be covered first with a fresh mind. So, while making a timetable keep the complex topics on top priority.
Secondly, estimate the time needed for the selected topic. Plan out the topic and think how long will it take to cover the topic. Then take a 10 minutes break after an hour of study to refresh your mind for the next topic.
Analysing the Daily Routine
Manage your timetable according to your daily routine. Waking up early in the morning and going for a walk freshens the mind and let you absorb the topics more easily.
The key to making a timetable is to create a system and a schedule that works. Taking short breaks during the day also helps the mind to concentrate more on the work.
Prioritise Your Syllabus
Make a list of the topics from the most to least important. Keep the most important topics on top of your timetable.
Give yourself mini deadlines for each topic to be done. In this way, the time will be managed and the syllabus will also be covered.
Commitment
Sticking to your timetable with enthusiasm and wholeheartedly is the most important part of the preparation.
It is a natural aspect that we all deal with the temptation of procrastination but with a realistic and practical timetable, we can easily avoid it.
Timetable for IAS Preparation
Time is a scarce commodity so you should budget it wisely. This advice is even more important for IAS aspirants as they have to prepare for one of the toughest exams in India and some say,the world. The key to passing the exam with flying colours is a proper schedule along with consistency.
Below is a timetable that you can follow if you’re preparing for IAS :
- Rise and Shine- A person who gets up early in the morning can never be a failure. His first success is to defeat his bad habits. Physical activities like morning walks and Jim increase blood circulation and alertness. Meditation and yoga help to relieve stress.
- Bath – Cleanliness refreshes our minds
- Revision of previous day’s topics – It helps in evaluating whether what we studied yesterday is memorised or still needs to focus on them.
- Breakfast and Newspaper – A healthy breakfast is ensured for energy and facing the tough routine ahead. Newspaper reading will help you get national and international current affairs.
- Study session 1 – You can join any coaching or your own. The important part is to devote this time to tough subjects as the mind will be at its full energy.
- Short break – After session 1 you can take a short break. Take a cup of tea or have some brunch to refresh yourself. Avoid thinking about studying.
- Study session 2 – Try to focus on subjective topics. It will change your mind and will be easier to grasp conceptual topics.
- Lunch – Keep your lunch lighter than breakfast but rich in proteins for a constant energy source. Take some rest after lunch.
- Personality and skill development – Read Blogs for the development of personality and skills. As it is your dress or address that promotes you.
- Physical activities – In the evening go cycling or badminton, it will improve your willpower.
- Study session 3 – In study session 3 read historical books and prepare notes.
- Friends and outing – After this hectic routine, go to meet your friends or plan an outing. You’ll ensure you feel relaxed with your favourite company.
- Dinner – Take a light meal, avoid carbohydrates, and include vegetables
- Listen to English news – Listen to English news for better pronunciation
- Bedtime – Try to get a good sleep so that you are relaxed and energetic tomorrow.
Conclusion
As everyone has his or her own life journey and timeline apart from UPSC preparation, you can add or remove or change the schedule as it suits you. Whatever the final timetable you create, just stick to it and persist yourself to follow it regularly and religiously.
While studying keep in mind the 4R technique and SQ6R technique and formulate your timetable that sustains for a longer time.
4R Technique
- ● Read
- ● Revise
- ● Recollec
- ● Reproduce
SQ6R Technique
- ● STUDY
- ● QUESTION
- ● REREAD
- ● RECORD
- ● RECITE
- ● REPEAT
- ● REVIEW
- ● REPRODUCE
Finally, amplify your strength and abate your weakness. The exam is not about doing or knowing more things , in fact it is about doing it in an effective manner so plan your day wisely and reward yourself on a weekly basis for all the effort you have put in.
