India has always been a land of opportunity, be it for spice traders, gold diggers, or ambitious young citizens looking to make their mark in competitive exams. The secret to success lies in following the steps stated below. It may be observed that these steps have more to do with internal motivation, organisation, and self-discipline than with what a coaching centre can do.
Believe in yourself: First and foremost, believe in yourself. If you think you can do it, you will certainly do it and be confident in your abilities. Coaching centers do not have a magic wand that can make you a different person.
Build a study plan: Have a game plan to complete all materials within a specific time frame, and stick to the plan. Stressing out over workload, or daydreaming about distant possibilities, are not substitutes for actual laborious effort. Set realistic goals, and don't give up till you achieve them. The quality of time devoted matters as much as quantity. Devote that time of day when you are most productive.
Strengthen your understanding of subject matter: Read fundamental theory in your subject area diligently to ensure that you truly understand the subject. No coaching center has to re-discover the wheel for you. Read every textbook on the subject matter relevant to your area. You cannot build a skyscraper on a flimsy base. Get your theoretical fundamentals clear. Do not memorize, but rather understand the concepts. Most people mistake memorizing sophisticated information as a substitute for thorough knowledge and have unclear fundamentals, which is why they eventually fall prey to innocuous questions in competitive exams.
Practice, practice, practice: If you are attempting to clear any competitive quantitative exam, such as IIT/JEE, then practice extensively, solve question papers for the last five-six years. Try coaching junior students since this will help develop problem-solving speed and build confidence and strengthen computational abilities.
Dedication: There is no alternative to being self-disciplined and dedicated. It is always a great idea to work in meditation, and physical exercise along with your study routine, to get a balanced mix. This helps to imbibe more information in a shorter period. When you set yourself a learning goal, stick to it no matter what. Dedication builds confidence and retention of subject matter.
Invest in General Knowledge: Most competitive exams for Civil Services, Government jobs and bank jobs will have GK. The best way to is to listen to the news at least twice a day, be it on the radio or TV, and read at least two major newspapers daily. This implants most GK matter in long-term memory and reduces the stress and time commitment required to remembering it.
Be positive: Recognise that you control your efforts, but have no control over the universe. If things don't work out, find a related avenue or try again, but be confident that you did the best. There is no one unique route to success- so despite your best efforts, if you find that a door closes, it is up to you to find a window that will open up new opportunities. The work ethics you develop along the way will help you throughout your life.
The writer is Dr Somali Ghosh, Asst Professor Case Western Reserve University
