Introduction
Let’s create one scenario
You are sitting for an exam where you won’t be able to use Google or ask your neighbours for advice during exams, it’s just you and the skills that you’ve built over time. That’s how competitive exams are. They are a place where you are in solitude and make decisions on every question which will determine your future. Hence, it’s paramount to acquaint yourself with your conscious & subconscious habits and many more that could be worked on, to ensure that you do your best while preparing for competitive exams.
Competitive Exams
Numerous competitive exams in India are conducted for entrance into undergraduate and postgraduate professional courses as well as for securing services in the Government. The examination formats and subjects vary according to the level of the specific competitive examination. Most are objective tests, followed by a personality test, and are conducted in various venues at centres across the country. Competitive exams are tough, with lakhs of aspirants appearing for a limited number of seats. However, what if we told you that the habits you build in preparation for such exams can actually help you in the end? Won’t that be really helpful? We all know they will be, so read on for some of the relevant habits you must cultivate in the course of your preparations for your exams.
The Habits
We all know by experience that creating a habit is pretty difficult. (unless you count the bad ones like nail biting!) There are so many guides and books, tips and tricks on how to keep us on the straight & narrow but there are plenty of distractions that can still take us off course. Hence, the foremost maxim we would offer is to make goals and break them down into smaller bits. Everyone has the ultimate goal that they want to achieve, whether it is running a marathon, losing weight, writing a book, or something else that you wish to achieve. But breaking down your goal into what seems like the minimum amount of work would help you make your goal a reality because you are doing it every day. While preparing for competitive exams, this way of going about your goal can play a vital role. Some of the small steps which you can take in your journey towards your achieving your goal are –
Reading Motivational Quotes
While preparing, oftentimes we go into a reverie where we wonder what our aim is and what our hard work will build up to. One way to get rid of this doubt and negativity is to invest in motivational literature. Reading motivational quotes somehow helps us relate to the circumstances and get strength from it.
Wake Up Early
It is proven that the most productive time for humans physiologically is early morning. Instead of worrying about the leftover schedule and studies near the end of the day, following an ‘early to bed, early to rise’ schedule helps to discipline your study pattern. Early morning is a good time for physical activity to refresh your mind. Additionally, it’s the best time to intake new topics and concepts.
Do Exercise
To be mentally active you need to be physically energized. Laziness or inactivity can set in motion a perceived lousiness in performance. It’s often responsible for the lack of motivation, stress and other challenges faced by students preparing for entrance exams. To follow an Exercise/Yoga schedule religiously, is to move ahead to be more psychologically & intellectually receptive.
Avoid Internet
The Internet can be a great medium to study and revise current affairs which is a part of all entrance exam syllabus, however, spending too much time on the web can distract students. Make sure you approach the internet with an aim and retreat after the aim is fulfilled. Spend time wisely on social media and entertainment. Don’t cut off from the online world entirely but make sure to sort your priorities from possible distractions.
Studying in Groups
You’re not the only one with a goal. Create a brotherhood with others who share the same goal as you. When having a block or being confused about a concept, brainstorming together with others helps us declutter our minds and approach a common answer. Seeing others concentrate invokes a competitive spirit in us to match up to them. Hence, studying in Groups can come with implicit and explicit benefits.
Conclusion There are many habits to let go and to build as per your competitive exam syllabus. Reading the newspaper is a must for exams like UPSC, CLAT etc. while being aware of the contemporary theories of the subject is important for post graduate competitive exams. Focusing on the application of the formulas and solving multiple concepts problems is the one which is best for exams like JEE (Main), JEE (Advanced) or NEET (UG) Nonetheless, it is important to recognise such habits and work towards cultivating them for a confident preparation for the competitive exam for maximum benefit.
