Success is a prerequisite in today’s cutthroat world; one must be patient and willing to put in the necessary work from the start to move up the ladder of success. Success comes easily to some people, while others may have a bit more difficult journey, but with perseverance and hard effort, they succeed in the end.
While staying up late studying may seem important to students, it’s important to make sure they don’t exhaust themselves and jeopardise their physical and mental well-being in the process of succeeding.
Consider Kalpit Veerwal, who gained notoriety recently for his “rigorous study schedule” that was extensively publicised on social media. According to the memo, the last candidate slept for only four and a half hours throughout the day and dedicated fifteen to sixteen hours to his preparation.
The hitch is that, while receiving full marks in the exam, Veerwal, who asserts to have placed first in India for the IIT-JEE in 2017, “didn’t study half as much.” He further states that students who study this much typically have burnout and skill problems.
How much you have to work?
In order to have a comprehensive grasp of this, the Hindustan Times staff spoke with specialists in the field of IITJ EE preparations, who provided valuable perspectives and strategies for candidates aiming to succeed in the test.
Expert on the FIIT-JEE, Ramesh Batlish, emphasised that passing the exam requires a lot of hard work, determination, and efficient study techniques. Considering that every person is unique and has a different learning style, Batlish offered some crucial advice that candidates should heed. These are the following:
Effective Time Management: The IIT-JEE and other competitive exams depend on good time management, which is essential for success. If candidates study for a considerable amount of time every day, they will be able to thoroughly cover a large section of the curriculum.
Deep Understanding of Concepts: Working long hours alone is insufficient; a solid understanding of the concepts is just as crucial. Study sessions should focus on quality rather than quantity of hours spent learning. Candidates ought to concentrate on learning the foundations of each subject.
Frequent Practice and Revision: Understanding the topics covered in the IIT-JEE exam requires regular practice and revision. Reiterating lessons and honing problem-solving techniques are aided by completing a wide range of problems covering many subjects.
Balanced Lifestyle: Although preparing for an exam requires a strict study plan, it’s also critical to strike a balance between studying and other activities. Sufficient sleep, a healthy diet, and some kind of leisure or relaxation are essential for general wellbeing and the best possible cognitive performance.
Personalisation: Not all candidates must adhere to the same study plan. Study schedules must be adjusted for each student’s unique learning preferences, learning styles, and areas of strength and weakness. For the best results, students must base the design of their plans on their needs.
Health Concerns: Lack of sleep can negatively impact one’s physical and mental well-being, as well as one’s ability to think clearly and retain memories. Even though sleeping less may become necessary when preparing for a test, getting enough sleep must be prioritised in order to prevent burnout and preserve general health.
Hard effort is important, the FIITJEE specialist said, but too much stress can be bad for your physical and emotional health, which will affect your performance. Aspirants need to follow a balanced schedule that incorporates time set aside for studying, leisure or exercise breaks, and enough sleep, according to Batlish.
“To maximise performance and overall success, self-care and mental health must be prioritised throughout the preparation process,” he stated.
They also need to divide their study plans into doable activities and set reasonable targets. According to Batlish, “celebrating little victories along the way can boost morale and motivation.”
A few useful success strategies
Aspirants should adhere to a few guidelines in order to achieve overall success when cracking the IITJEE. Batlish offered some beneficial pointers and strategies to help candidates get ready for their exams. These are listed in the following order:
Start Early and Remain Consistent: Get started on your preparations early to give yourself enough time to go over the curriculum in detail and revise it. The secret to succeeding in competitive exams is to have disciplined and consistent study habits.
Comprehend Concepts: Rather than relying solely on rote memory, concentrate on comprehending the underlying concepts. Having a solid conceptual base will enable you to answer a wide range of queries with ease.
Practice Often: To increase your problem-solving speed and abilities, practice handling a variety of issues from various topics. Frequent practice also aids in pinpointing areas in need of development.
Effective Time Management: During the exam, time management is essential. Try answering questions in a timed manner to increase your accuracy and speed.
Use Resources Wisely: Make good use of study guides, practice exams, past exam questions, and internet resources. Select reputable study guides that correspond with the exam schedule.
Seek Guidance and Clarify Doubts: If you run into problems, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from classmates, mentors, or teachers. To prevent misunderstandings, get your questions answered right away.
Maintain Your Health: Look after your emotional and physical well-being. To stay alert and focused, get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and work out frequently.
Practice Self-Care: To unwind and refresh your thoughts, take breaks as needed and partake in enjoyable activities. Maintaining a healthy balance between education and pleasure is crucial for overall wellbeing.
Keep Up: Remain informed on test-related news, modifications to exam formats, and crucial dates. Having knowledge makes it easier to organise your preparation.