How NOT to waste time (while preparing for CSE Mains 2013) ?

Oceanus

Hello friends,
I have a question. While preparing, i tend to waste a lot of my time here & there.. Some of the ways in which i do that are-
1. Facebook
2. Serials ( HIMYM etc )
3. Movies
4. Meaninglessly hovering in forumias
5. Worrying about many other useless things about which i can do almost nothing ..

I know many of you might be having the same problem. I want to know how you guys are tackling that? I want to use my each n every moment for IAS mains prep but i am unable to do that. Moreover, I m in a job, that too in rotating shifts, thereby amplifying the problem for me..

PS- 99% of my preparation is through my laptop, i use ebooks, e-notes etc so can't avoid laptop.

woman

Once you come know, please let me know.

Sridhar

Very good question! Many people(including me) have the same problem.

I am going to go a little philosophical here....

First, you have to understand why you are spending the time in serials, facebook, and other things. If it is for relaxation, that should be totally fine, but if you are just like that opening facebook, seeing serials, etc.. then you are not being conscious enough when you do that activity. So, you need to be fully aware of what you are doing and importantly why you are doing that activity. If the answer to the "why" part is "I don't know", then it means, you are not being conscious enough.

Being conscious and aware doesn't come automagically, practice is required. Everytime you do something, just ask yourself why and whether you can do something better than watching a serial or facebook and be happy about it? If the answer is no - well, you can proceed to facebook or watch serial.

Some of the things that I try to do in situations like this - I try to create videos of the things I have read. (I do not claim I am utilizing time 100% - I still waste a lot of time, and trying to minimize that , but I found that the time wastage has reduced when I started doing this).
Other ideas to divert your time - you can do a slideshow, blog about the topics you have read, or take a question and start writing an answer for it and share it on forumias, organize the notes you have taken, etc.. The only important thing is you should like doing such activities.

I feel only by being creative, we will make full use of time as you will enjoy the things that you create even if it is useless.

-Sridhar

FrankUnderwood

Bro, the people who figure out the answer to this question usually end up in the merit list.

andy133

Bro, the people who figure out the answer to this question usually end up in the merit list.

Hahahaha...well said brother!!

Ziel

@Oceanus
I remind myself:
"If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going" - Winston Churchill 8-X

Etat

@Oceanus
I remind myself:
"If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going" - Winston Churchill 8-X

Might I append a phrase to Churchill's aphorism even though it is probably implied.- "and in the direction that leads you out of it." (I can't believe my audacity either.) :P

DareDevil

@Oceanus
I remind myself:
"If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going" - Winston Churchill 8-X

@Oceanus
I remind myself:
"If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going" - Winston Churchill 8-X

Churchill coined such quote to misguide the UPSC aspirant after having sensed that many polytechnic school educated Indian were clearing the ICS exam..........Better not to follow him. :-SS

KiteRunner

i think i am in the same precisely exact mental status.
@Oceanus if u have got any clue at all please share it with us.

Oceanus

I found the solution in a very simple yet tough activity.. Keeping my laptop off most of the time. I have shifted to my tab for the prep. \m/

And yes.. Avoid commenting on forumias as much as possible.

aamengineer

i think the issue here is not managing time..its about managing thoughts. For that you need to control your thoughts ..thats all..