Nowadays, students face fierce competition in competitive exams like SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, UPSC, etc. Every student has a unique set of abilities and potential.

One factor that has a significant impact on a person's score is their habits. The proper practices will help you achieve your goals and benefit you for the rest of your life. These habits also aid you in preparation for competitive exams. Discipline and determination go a long way!

SSC CGL Exam Date

The Staff Selection Commission organizes the Combined Graduate Level exam to fill Grade B and Grade C vacancies in various government departments/ministries/offices. The SSC CGL, which was supposed to be conducted from 29-05-2021 to 07-06-2021, got postponed.

The final dates for the SSC CGL Tier-1 exam were released recently. The exam is now set to be conducted in August. The dates for SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, and CISF exams are as follows:

As the SSC CGL exam inches closer, the students will be rushing to finish the syllabus and solve as many mock tests as possible.

This article will talk about some of the habits that every aspirant should instill in their lives. Let’s dive right in!

1. Make an optimum schedule

To those of you late sleepers, even if you're sick of hearing it and your mother undoubtedly tells you this every day, getting up early is highly beneficial, especially for students. Mothers are consistently correct! Several studies have found that success is closely related to waking early.

Some people may get good grades despite sleeping late, but that is an exception, not the rule. Now, after waking up early, you should plan your schedule in such a way that you can make the most of it. It should look something like this:

• Divide your hours between three things; studying, sleeping, and all other activities that include bathing, eating, taking breaks, etc.
• Many people make the mistake of packing their schedules to the point that they are impossible to follow.
• It would be best if you left time for short breaks so that your mind doesn’t get puzzled.
• Divide your study hours among all subjects so that you don’t lose touch with any of them.
• Your study time is just for studying. Eradicate all distractions, and don’t let anything divert your attention.
2. Don’t daydream

When you are a student preparing for a competitive exam, your studies take up most of your time. It is also natural for your mind to wander. You may begin to fantasize about obtaining AIR 1 and landing your dream job. But dreams don't work unless you do!

Obviously, a student's end goal is a source of ultimate inspiration for them. But this merely wastes time, time that could be spent on lessons. Instead of daydreaming, channel your energy into studying more to make your aspirations a reality. If you find yourself losing focus, take a break and return to your studies with a fresh mind.

3. Rely on your peer group for motivation

Having a group of friends who all have the same purpose can be pretty advantageous. Talk to them about their progress, give tests, and compare your scores. This way, you can keep track of each other's progress and encourage one another to learn more. Because if you see your peers succeed, then it will fuel your motivation too!

When colleges and coaching centers close in the Covid era, pupils cannot meet new people who have the same aims in the classroom. So, you should find competition around you! Make friends who you can look up to. Be a part of a peer group that pushes you while keeping you focused on your studies. Your preparation journey will be much more fun and more accessible with a study partner by your side!

4. Make short-term targets

Every aspirant has a long-term aim. Everything you accomplish is a step closer to that goal. But you have to make daily targets as well; otherwise, everything gets haphazard. Even when you study all day, you will find yourself clueless about what you did if you don’t have a target set. Remember that smaller goals lead to a bigger purpose!

Don’t think that you have to get to the top of the class in one go. Simply concentrate on broadening your academic horizons. If you have an hour to study a subject, set a goal and finish it in that time. You must set goals based on your abilities. Set realistic and attainable goals while continuing to progress every day. Set a bar for yourself and constantly work till you reach that level of improvement.

5. Be true to yourself

I am a college student who has studied for competitive tests. So I can imagine how much stress and strain students might put on themselves. However, being under such duress is not healthy. It has an impact on your mental health, which in turn affects your education. In this instance, it is critical to be truthful with oneself.

Admit to yourself that you need a break. Admit all the shortcomings and mistakes you made and learn from them. Sometimes students give fake assurance to their parents to not worry them. But don’t lie to yourself. Be honest with yourself that you need to improve and work towards it with a newfound enthusiasm.

6. Revision is key

Revision is the only thing that will help you pass the SSC CGL exam or any other competitive exam. When you finish one topic, you go on to the next. Then you move on to the next one, and so on. What happens to the old ones while you learn new ones? To stay in contact with them, you must continually revise them. Otherwise, your grip on those things will begin to slip.

Several students leave revision till the last minute, causing many topics to build up. When you review too many things at once, the concepts can become jumbled. Do not save the revision for the last month. Do a little bit of it every day. With revision and tonnes of practice questions, your confidence will skyrocket, and you will be more excited than ever!

7. Take advantage of online resources

Everything can now be done or discovered online thanks to the digitization of the entire world. And the education industry has not lagged behind. It is also making significant progress in the digital realm and has come a long way. Everything you need to study for examinations, from study materials to tests, is available online. And these resources are far too valuable to be squandered.

Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone, and you should make full use of it. Here are some resources that will help you to learn more effectively:

• There are lecture videos, previous year’s papers, mock tests, study materials, books, and so much more.
• You can join study groups on social media platforms like Discord, Telegram, and WhatsApp. These online forums aim to help you build efficient study habits while also providing a wholesome support system.
• You can enroll in online courses. You will be taught by the best teachers, who will assist you every step of the way.
• You can find motivational and educational blogs online. You can find information about almost everything on Google!

To get daily updates about practice problems, join our Telegram group and WhatsApp group.

But it is easy to get distracted while using your mobile. You should apply complete abstinence when it comes to things that can distract you. If you are using social media, then don’t let it harm your education.

8. Don’t start slacking in extra time

Many competitive exams, including SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, and UPSC, were postponed last year. This provided students with far more time to prepare. It was a blessing in disguise for some. However, some students began to slack off and become sluggish. Don't think you have plenty of time to prepare because it will fly past very quickly. Consider it more time for you to succeed and learn.

If you begin to slack off, keep in mind that all of the other aspirants are learning more by the second. And if you take your eyes off the ball, they will leave you behind. We've all heard the ending of the store of the rabbit and the turtle! Make the most of your extra time by revising and studying more. Don't worry about postponing because you have no control over it. What you can control is the amount of time you devote to studying.

9. Stay active

Being a student requires you to sit at a desk all day to study. This might cause stiffness in your spine and muscular discomfort. Sitting in one posture for an extended period can also make you sleepy. As a result, students must remain active. Get up and walk around your room for a few minutes. This will improve your blood circulation and give you more energy.

In fact, all of you should exercise every day in the morning. Working out every day has numerous health benefits. People have found that exercising daily or going for a run helped them to clear their minds. It is a way to release stress and improve concentration. Staying active also increases the release of endorphins, which keeps you in a happy mood!

10. Take a break!

By now, you are probably fully motivated to apply all these habits in your life. You'll start making a list of things you need to accomplish, such as creating a study timetable, setting short-term goals, discovering online study groups, scheduling fitness sessions, and so on. But, in all of this excitement, don't forget to do one of the most crucial things: take a much-needed break!

Your brain will not work to its full potential if it is tired. Your power to understand things will slow down. When studying, use the 90-10 rule. Study for 90 minutes, then take a 10-minute break to clear your mind. You can relax by listening to light music, spending time with your family, or meditating. Avoid doing anything that could distract you, such as watching videos or movies. Just keep it light. Sit back, relax, and allow your mind to recharge!