Group discussion is an integral part of UPSC's preparation. Of all the years of UPSC preparation, one of the most memorable thing that sticks to mind is "group discussion". It is full of fun, insightful and joyful experience. Group discussion has various advantages. But, there are certain rules which need to be kept in mind while entering into group discussion.
Let us begin with advantages.
First, It helps in providing you alternative perspective of the issue. This is very crucial in developing a multi-dimensional thought process.
Second, It helps in better consolidation and conceptual understanding of the subject. The best way to understand the issue or topic is "explain it to someone". I know some candidates who used to hunt down people to explain them or teach them the subject. And hilariously, some found a girlfriend for this reason.
Third, It helps in sustaining the momentum for the exam. See nobody can study 24*7 without engaging with rest of the world. The preparation follows a sinusoidal wave pattern. Thus just like sports athlete, a UPSC aspirants also faces this downtime, slump or exhibit this choking behaviour. People start feeling anxious, tensed, and exhausted in the long run. Group study is the best antidote to overcome this negative emotion.
Fourth, It helps in improving the behavioral skill set of person. People learn how to interact and how to defend your position without getting too aggressive or too defensive. It certainly adds a key skill set needed for the Interview. We learn to smile and keep our ego instincts under check in the group setting. Most importantly, it is like seeing "Anekantwad" in action.
Fifth, It helps in increasing your knowledge in a lesser time frame. No one knows all the things on a topic but put together collectively we know enough to crack the UPSC.
Further, the added benefits like life long bonding, friendship, fun, bantering require no details.
However, the fund ends here. Group discussion is a very serious business. And one needs to selfishly guard against any unproductive frivolous group discussion which runs the risk of turning into a pure gossiping session. Following are few words of caution which one needs to keep in mind before engaging in such activities.
First, ensure that group size is not more than three or four. Two is less. Three is a fit. Four is a crowd.
Second, Ensure that there are no mutual insecurities among group members.The Group should have certain pre-history and should not feel jealous of each other. If they feel insecure towards each other, then sooner or later they would start withholding information or will be reluctant in full participation.
Third, The agenda, time, and place for the group discussion should be fixed in advance.
Fourth, Do not disband or postpone because one person is absent or not able to attend the group session. Understand that group is superior to whims of one or two candidates.
Fifth, Ensure that all the candidates are of near equal competency. This would ensure equal participation in the group discussion. Otherwise, it would degenerate into a teaching or preaching session. Sooner or later, the teacher would start feeling for his time and productivity and would stop coming to meetings. Thus leading to disbanding of the group.
Sixth, A general lifecycle of a group is four to six weeks. From my experience, it requires a real leadership from some group member to sustain the momentum of the group.
Seventh, In order to maintain the decorum and sanctity of the group, group members should adhere to certain rules of discussion. For example, no two persons will speak at the same time. The Discussion should be limited to the subject/agenda and should remain relevant. And likewise. For this one person will have to play a devil's advocate in the process.
Eight, Group discussion brings out various pieces of information and helps in discovering new insights. So one should ensure that someone take notes of various point discussed in the group. Or alternatively, as soon as a discussion gets over, candidates should make a quick list of points collected in the discussion.
Ninth, The length of the session should not be more than 60 minutes for first attempt candidates. Generally, after this time, people start speaking from their butthole due to lack of content. For some senior guys, a discussion can span over 90 to 120 mins.
Tenth, if your group size is already full then avoid taking any new entrants. Because as and when the word will spread about your group, more people would wanna come onboard. The entry of any new members should be tested by his knowledge base, his potential value addition to the group and his pre-history in the group. In short, guard against any politics.
Eleventh, Do not think thrice before disbanding the group if it is proving to be unproductive. In two words, "be ruthless".
Twelfth, Avoid any free riders on the group. Avoid any kind of social loafing in the group. Stick to the agenda and ensure some positive learning in each session which adds value to your preparation.
Thirteenth, One simple thought experiment is "Could I have utilised these 60 mins better if I had not become part of the discussion?"
Fourteenth, Think about what are those activities which can be accomplished in the group? Divide work or topics clearly, know beforehand what you are going to cover? For example, newspaper reading, current affair's discussion like insightsonIndia, topic based preparation like studying Map or covering IYB or Economic survey or Budget could be completed in the group discussion.
Fifteenth, Ultimate is Share your thoughts as much as possible.
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