When you work hard; you put forth your best efforts, focus solely on your studies, and disregard anything else. While smart work is when you employ effective study techniques and keep up with your regular activities. This indicates that you can study and comprehend more in less time. No matter how many late nights are spent studying and cramming information into your head, you always have the option of settling for less. You need effective study techniques that concentrate more on topics, comprehension, revision, and practice to crack the UPSC IAS exam.
The pattern of the civil service IAS exam is always changing; therefore effort alone will not provide results. Better outcomes will be obtained by altering both strategy and preparation methods. The smart study involves improving grades, living a balanced life, and picking up useful skills. Being a UPSC aspirant means dealing with the extensive UPSC syllabus, which calls for smart study techniques. Spread out your study time for each subject to maximize your learning. Your brain will have more time to solidify your learning if you do this.
How to use smart work along with hard work?
- Time management has to be followed throughout the preparation. For a subject, reading one or two books is more than enough. Instead of becoming an expert on the subject, UPSC prefers that you possess a normal amount of knowledge across various topics. Create a time-bound timetable for finishing a certain course assignment. The best strategy is to read only what you need to read, combine books with notes, and take small notes often. If you are worried about time management, click hereto see the video of Mr. Rangarajan IAS where he explains the tricks in time management.
- The effectiveness of learning may be increased by using mnemonics like acronyms, linking the material to an event, mind mapping, etc. Without the discomfort of memorizing the material, you would be able to learn and remember a lot more. Comparison charts, diagrams, and other visual aids should be utilized wherever feasible. The easiest approach to study is to create self-made codes, to make the material simpler so that you can remember it easily and for a long time. Use infographics or shortcodes to learn; this will also make it easier for you to review information.
- You never stop learning new things through books, references, news, current affairs materials, etc. But not everything you remember can be recollected at all times. Regular revision is necessary to ensure that the material is retained as well as connected to what you currently know. Read the same book twice rather than two books on the same subject. It would produce better results.
- After finishing a particular area of a topic, assess your knowledge immediately rather than waiting until the exam approaches. This reduces ambiguity and worry and makes you aware of the topics addressed and those that need further attention. Pair this with referring to the Previous Years’ Questionsto understand the nature of the questions asked while referring to the syllabus. This ensures that you are right on track while saving time on your preparation.
- Despite the extensive syllabus that includes current affairs, economy, polity, geography, history, etc., Follow the syllabus and choose one/two topics and mix it with current events that you should study for a while. Combining too many topics will cause you to lose focus and reduce your ability to comprehend the knowledge. Click to watch the videowhere the daily routine of a topper is explained so that you can apply some of them to your preparation.
- Officers’ Polaris, an exclusive handbook for students of Officers IAS Academy can help you track your daily effort. It also helps you channel your effort. For example, the time you are investing in your GS, Optional, etc. This will ultimately help in organizing the preparation. Polaris also helps in segregating the Current Affairs and incorporating the guidance, and doubts you had with the faculties along with the record of your test scores. All of this combined, it will be the one book that becomes a map of your entire preparation. So just by looking at the book, you can track your studies and a faculty can analyze where you stand and provide valuable insights.
The study curriculum at Officers’ IAS Academy has been designed in such a way that all our students are prepared on every front, be it completing the syllabus, providing the much-needed mental support, or training them in using such tips and tricks, making us one of the best IAS coaching academies in India. Our methodology is created and taught by experts who have not only passed every stage of the UPSC examination but have also gone on to serve this country with distinction. We are the only IAS Academy founded by a group of like-minded former civil servants. Our coaching method is the best in the country and has produced many civil servants, and if you wish to see the video of two such aspirants who got IAS and IPS on their very first attempt, then click here. I wish you the best in your IAS journey.