5 Steps to Avoid Distraction for Clearing UPSC 2024

For UPSC CSE | 08th December 2023 – 08 mins read

“In most cases, success in any field is not a result of drastic changes but because of small steps taken consistently in a forward direction”

– Harneet Singh

To prepare for a challenging exam like UPSC, the candidates are often required to put in long hours into preparation for the exam.

However, many aspirants are also working professionals for whom managing time efficiently becomes a huge priority. Therefore, it becomes important for aspirants to study effectively without giving into instant distractions.

Going by my experience of teaching and preparing for competitive exams side by side, I had devised simple steps to study with focus which I like to call “5- S”.

If you are a candidate with an optional in Commerce or Management subject, then I am sure you must be familiar with this concept.

Well, it’s a Japanese concept that was created to organize tasks or projects in hand and boost productivity by ensuring a clean, safe, and uncluttered environment.

This simple method of 5S has been effectively utilized by successful entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.

After having implemented these basic steps, I strongly believe these 5 principles can be used by aspirants to sit for long periods and study with concentration.

In this blog, I am going share these tips which will prove to be helpful in exam preparation and in turn, help you cover the syllabus in time.

Step No 01: Sort Your Study Material

The first step when it comes to the completion of any task is to sort and categorize what is needed and what is unnecessary. This process involves sorting out all tools, resources, study materials, and even the selection of your study space.

I know you must be wondering but what is the relevance of doing this? The answer is simplification.

It is often so that when aspirants begin their study session, they often find themselves looking at the huge pile of books which in general can be demotivating.

Whereas if you have with you a concise list of books while sitting down to study, it will become easier for your mind to break down the topics you intend to cover.

Therefore, ensure that you have only those books, study material, or notes on those topics in your desk/ study space that you have planned to complete in that particular session.

Step No 02: Set the order to simplify

The next step you must adopt is to set things in order, also known as “arrangement”. Many aspirants waste a lot of their time and effort looking for the right material or books since these are often kept in a displaced manner.

So, to ensure that you save a lot of your study time to complete the syllabus, you must inculcate a habit of organizing and arranging your study resources, materials, or books in a set place.

As for the next day, it will become convenient for you to gather all the materials you need in an uncomplicated manner.

Hence, make a daily habit in your study routine to select the resources and arrange them in an orderly manner.

Step No 03: Shine the study space

I am sure that many of us have grown up hearing about the significance of ensuring cleanliness in our homes.

Well, turns out this is true even when we are talking about our work or study environment, and the reason being, that it helps in de-cluttering our thought process and freshening our minds.

One of the benefits of ensuring a clean environment is that it induces a feeling of positivity and contentedness, thereby helping to maximize concentration.

Thus, follow the ritual of keeping your study space tidy so that you can study effectively for a long time in a hassle-free manner.

Step No 04: Standardize your schedule

After doing all of the above methods, the next step is to systemize your daily routine. As I mentioned earlier, managing time to prepare for a competitive exam like UPSC is a pivotal task for aspirants.

Therefore, scheduling your daily activities will help you to not just be efficient in your study time but also assist you in being mindful while performing other tasks in your routine.

So, allocate and assign specified time hours to doing different activities in your everyday life which also includes your rejuvenation time apart from your study timetable.

Step No 05: Sustain your efforts

Lastly, none of these techniques will prove to be helpful if you fail to be consistent in your efforts. Since preparing for this exam is a long and arduous journey, hence, you must be determined to complete the syllabus and gain a thorough understanding of all topics.

While aspirants are initially enthusiastic at the beginning of their preparation, however; many of them get discouraged halfway through their exam journey.

Thus, consistently follow all these techniques and make sure that you plan your schedule accordingly which will help in covering all the topics, thereby boosting your confidence to clear this exam.

Advice to the aspirants

I strongly suggest the aspirants to follow these steps to cover the syllabus more simply and holistically prepare for the exam.

Inculcating these principles of the 5S of sorting your schedule, standardizing routine, and sustaining your efforts will help in decluttering your mind and improving your focus.

Following these tricks along with determined efforts will greatly favor your chances of succeeding in this examination!

Following these 5 principles to avoid distractions which I discussed in detail above will prove to be beneficial in your exam preparation.

 

To clear a prestigious exam like UPSC CSE, you must be determined and consistent in your endeavor apart from rigorously preparing for the same.

 

Therefore, make sure to take these small steps consistently, stay focused and I assure you that you are closer to fulfilling your dream of becoming an administrative officer!