In our previous blog posts, we have discussed an ideal time table for fulltime UPSC and Punjab Civil services preparation for IAS and PCS aspirants (Read Here) studying at IAS coaching institutes in Chandigarh and other parts of India. Every year many working professionals and fresh graduates clear these prestigious exams. Our own students, at O2 IAS Academy, have also secured top ranks while managing their work and college life along with IAS and Punjab PCS preparation. Apart from our coaching and expert guidance, it is their discipline in achieving daily workable targets, mock test and constant revision and most importantly a good custom time table which helped them in not only clearing the IAS exam and Punjab PCS civil services exam but also secure top ranks. In this blog, we will give a rough outline of a customizable strategy and timetable for working and college-going aspirants studying at UPSC coaching institutes in Chandigarh and other parts of Punjab and India.
Things to remember while preparing for Punjab PCS examand IAS exam along with full time job or college classes
General Plan for Punjab PCS exam
Phase 1:
During the initial stages of your preparation, you should follow an integrated pre mains strategy. As mentioned earlier: Go through PYQ’s and given Punjab PCS and IAS syllabus and scrutinize each topic of the syllabus properly. Try to note the trend of the questions asked. This can be easily done during breaks and free time in college and office.
During this phase study for GS-1 to GS-4, read the newspaper (The tribune with a little sprinkling of The Hindu), prepare for Essay. Practice grammar and writing regularly for language papers. Do not neglect this aspect. Newspaper can be read in the morning while having tea and breakfast and revised during breaks at your office and college.
Your free time at home should be spent reading all standard books like NCERT, Sada Punjab, Laxshmikant, Bipin Chandra etcand study material package of your coaching class for General Studies Prelims and Mains. Practice writing answers and compile your notes.
Phase 2:
When the exam is only 4months away, you should slowly start giving more time to pre oriented preparation. Continue with daily newspaperreading and analysis during your office and college break and free time slots and some mains related prep as well. But mainly focus on pre related topics and pre mock questions at home.
Phase 3:
You should keep aside the last 2 months before the pre exam strictly only for revision purpose.
Since CSAT is not qualifying for Punjab PCS exam and its marks are calculated while estimating prelims cut off prepare it well.Solve books for CSAT even if you are not weak in CSAT.
General time table guidelines:
Weekdays: Sleep- 7-8 hours
Freshen up and breakfast- 1 hour
Newspaper- 1 hour
Work/ classes + commute time- 8 hours
Time left- 6 hours (2 hours for misc activities. Thus, 4 hours study time on weekdays)
Holidays and weekends= full day of preparation similar to full time civil services aspirants
WEEKDAYS(WORKING DAYS/ COLLEGE DAYS)
12am to 7am- sleep
7:00 AM-8Am:Wake up, Rise & Shine
8:00 – 11am: Office work/class
11 AM: Tea break for office goers
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM:office work/class
2:00-3pm PM: Lunch.
3:00 – 6:00 PM:office/classes
6:00-7:30 PM– reached home
7:30PM to 9:30 pm– study slot 1 Subject 1 2 hours
15 min break
15min for PYQs analysis/ one mains question/ pre questions
10:00 PM to 12am –study slot 2 subject 2 2 hours
Sundays: Either all Sundays can be kept as half days or any 2 days per month can be taken as full off day from study routine. Sunday canbe used to meet any social obligations or pursue hobbies during this time such as watching movies, lunch with friends etc.
Conclusion
If you can believe in your dreams of being an IAS and Punjab PCS officer then you are already half way there in achieving your goals. And time management will aid you in achieving your goal of becoming a civil servant while working and studying. During the course of your preparation for IAS and Punjab PCS exam you should treat time more dearly than the gold itself. Timewell spent during this duration will pave the way for all your future goals and ambitions. Following a good strategy and time management along with perseverance and hard work is the key to clearing this exam while fulfilling your obligations toward your job and graduation degree.
Time management and strategy related questions are the most frequent questions in IAS Punjab PCS coaching institutes in Chandigarh and Punjab. We, at O2 IAS academy, strive to give our students the best guidance in all aspects of their preparation journey and road to success. We also provide special classes for college going students and working professionals. We believe that time management is a constant process and not just a to-do list or a timetable or fixed schedule. But this suggested timetable can be easily tailored to adapt to your college and office schedules and where necessary. If you are able to achieve 90% of the targets on a weekly basis then you are on the right track. Remember not to overexert yourself while juggling between IAS and Punjab PCS preparation with you other obligations and duties. Take a full daybreak to spend time with your family after every 10-15 days and spend an hour with your family and relax on a daily basis as well. Since doing nonstop preparation and work without any break for more than a month will wear out and cause health concerns as well. So, take it one day at a time, enjoy your journey.
We hope that these tips will help you. These were our views and opinions on this topic. What are your thoughts and inputs or queries on this topic? Comment below and share your views with us. We would be happy to assist you in your Punjab PCS and IAS preparation battles and answer your queries.