The competitive exams are not merely a test of your skills or knowledge. It also tests your confidence, attitude, ability to handle unpredictable situations and dealing with novel unforseen situation. This is more true in case of UPSC examination where the examiner wants to emulate the real life work challenges in your test paper by way of creating novel situations. This could be in form of novel questions or changing the examination pattern every two years or ensuring a surprise and shock element in the paper. For example, the year 2012 had all variety of GS questions. Year 2013 saw the beginning of uniform 10 marks question pattern. The year 2014 had two essay instead of one. Year Similarly, year 2011 had 65 marks of Science questions. But year 2012 had almost no question on science and technology. Precisely for these reasons, the component of environment and culture and ancient history has increased in the prelims paper as well. These were the major two portion which were left untouched in the subject dominated era of civil services. Thus, a candidate should not merely focus on his skills and nowledge. He should also invest some energy into preparing the right frame of mind so that he can deal with such unpredictable, novel situation with greater aplomb.
A right frame of mind is a must for following resons:
1. It helps in choosing the right questions. When you have only 30 to 40 seconds to choose which question you wish to address, such positive frame of mind comes to your rescue and helps in making the right decision.
2. It helps in overcoming the insecurity and anxiety factor. As a result we don't get confused while making guestimates in prelims.
3. It helps us in maintaining the right structure and keep us focussed on the demand of the question.
4. If helps us in better recall and overcome nervousness in interviews.
But a relevant question remains. What is this "right frame of mind"? I have seen many of my friend spoliing their prelims or mains due to excessive anxiety on the eve of the exam. One such friend could not sleep for the entire night before prelims and ended up screwing his CSAT paper on the next day. Another friend slogged for the entire night before mains and took one redbull shot before entering the examination but ended up vomiting. No wonder, he also lost crucial time in the paper and could not do well. Similarly, a friend in the interview board faced high level of anxiety and could not even recall his roll number when asked by the board chairman. Sometimes, we become so upset on small issues that it takes our peace of mind on the eve of examination and all the hardwork just slips into dustbin. So such things are commonday affair and possibly add one more level of barrier in your final selection.
A right frame of mind could be characterised by following:
1. Having a good night sleep before the eve of examination. Do not compromise on this in any condition. If you are not able to sleep and meditate. Find the cues which helps you in sleeping. Just a reassurance that you are going to do well in the exam will help you in finding decent sleep.
2. Deep understanding of the fact that selection in this exam is not in your hand. You put in effort. He decides the result.
3. A strong realisation of the nature of exam helps you in preparing beforehand.
4. A clear reognition of the fact that everyone faces the similar anxiety on the eve of exam.
5. Faith, faith and faith in yourself and your god. Whatever happen, will happen for a cause.
6. Choosing the first couple of questions which boost your result.
7. Ability to laugh and smile after looking at the paper. Just think of it as some kind of dildo which UPSC has put in your ass. Now enjoy it.
8. Do not count the topics you have left. Instead look at the topics which you have covered well and you are confident of hitting marks in them.
9. Understanding of the fact that it is not just in your hand. You had full year before you and now is not the time to worry. Just chill
However, all this preaching is easier said than done. A big question is "How do we get this right frame of mind". Can I simply let this anxiety go away for that part of the day? Can my personality be changed overnight? The answer is big NO. One can not change his personality overnight. Personality change is a long process. But at the very least, one can try certain behavioral tactics which can help him in controlling his mind and maintain focus. Following are some "to-do things" which can help the individual on the eve of the exam.
Common points:
1. Don't run. Laugh unnecessarily. Talk to yourself. Feel happy for no reason. Smile unnecessarily. Keep calm.
2. If possible keep silence. If you are not silence type person then gossip with your friends.
3. Spend time with friends who exhibit this positive state of mind.
4. Sing. If possible keep humming in your mind.
5. Chant OM.
6. Take long deep breaths. It opens up neurons in your brain.
7. Notice your bodily actions as a third person.
8. Ignore negative comment or negative people around you. Just be forgiving. Imagine yourself as some demi-god.
9. Be engrossed with yourself.
Prelims:
1. Watch some videos on youtube as per your taste. Violent or comedy or infotainment or porn. Videos help in engaging all our senses.
2. Prepare your strategy of attacking the paper. Whether you are going to fill bubble simultaneously or you wish to keep aside time at the end for this exercise.
Mains:
1. Here I may suggest, stop studying. Rather discuss.
2. Look for the structure in your thought.
3. Know it beforehand that you are not going to know all the questions. Four to Five questions are bound to be new.
4. Sleep as much as you can.
Interview:
1. No study at all.
2. Forget any current affair or newspaper which you may not have covered.
3. Notice your face muscles for the whole day before interview. How does yor breath changes and how does your facial nerves stretch in sutuations.
In the end, this all can be dwarfed and put below one point i.e. "believe in yourself". Conviction conviction conviction. This will happen for me. I am going to succeed. Today is myday. Chant like this. Talk like this. And it will happen for you.
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