This is the 44th Topper Journey & Strategy post from the Batch of 2023. Garima Narula secured AIR-39 in CSE-22 in her 1st attempt. Following is her detailed write up.
Introduction
I’m Garima Narula. I’ve done my schooling from Rudrapur which is in Uttarakhand. Further, I graduated in English Literature from Hindu College, Delhi University.
After completing my graduation, I started my preparation in 2021 and gave my first attempt in 2022 and secured AIR 39.
My journey includes the very basic thing “limited books and multiple revision” throughout. In November 2021, I started my self-study routine approaching each and every subject of prelims gradually. Although, I joined an online coaching (Vision IAS GS batch) but self-study along with the coaching was not at all possible for me. So, I just patiently waited to get done with my class notes and videos first and made handwritten classroom notes.
For Prelims
I focused on my class notes along with some basic necessary books generally referred by everyone.
I approached PYQs in two different sections, firstly I used to analyze pyqs subject wise whichever subject I used to read on that particular day or week, and later on, one month before the pre exam which was on 5 June 2022, I attempted year wise pyq papers. By this, I was able to attempt and analyze PYQs multiple times.
For tests for pre, I used to attempt the tests at my home in isolation for two hours and attempt the paper in three readings. My main focus on test was its solutions which I used to read and analyze extensively, and enrich my class notes with extra content that I used to find it in the test series explanations.
For Mains
My focus was on answer writing. My approach for mains was based on following the syllabus. I had a hard copy for mains syllabus and everyday I used to tick the topic whichever I used to read on that particular day. That syllabus worked as an index as well as time table for me as I used to do double or triple ticks on the topics following the multiple revisions subsequently.
In my answers, I used to focus on proper format which included introduction, body and conclusion. It had examples, data, flowcharts, diagrams, maps whenever and wherever required. In whichever topic I did not have an enough information, I used to read it through model answers of test series. I joined forum ias mgp+ test series. Whenever I was not having any quality data with me, I used to refer their model answers.
I used to write answers in bullets and pointers and add sub points by adding examples or data. My conclusions used to be forward-looking, positive and futuristic in approach.
I completed all the answers in all the papers, Gs and Optional both.
Booklist
Below mentioned are the books that I referred to, however alongwith these books, I relied extensively on my handwritten classroom notes which I made during running classes for every subject.
My strategy was to write both the essays in different manner. So, if I used to write one essay in GS Format i.e., social, political, economic, environmental, cultural, etc. then I used to write second essay in a multistakeholder approach i.e., on individual, family, society, national and international level.
However, it was not easy to divide every essay in multistakeholder approach so wherever I could not I used to follow the GS format.
I used to do brainstorming for a sufficient time so as to include all the value points in the rough draft itself.
For Optional i.e., Sociology
There was a challenge in front of me because I had just read Paper 1 and that too for once before prelims. Rest everything, from Paper 1 completion to Paper 2 reading for the first time and answer writing, I did everything after prelims result which was in the 100 days gap.
For that, I strictly relied on the syllabus and multiple readings. I kept Nitin Sangwan Sir’s book ‘The Essentials of Sociology’ and did my value addition from online available free content and old test series available in the market.
In Sociology, I tried to focus on attempting answers sociologically, adding thinkers or adding perspectives like Marxist, functionalist, feminist, environmentalist to make the answer sociological.
I referred Nitin Sangwan Sir’s book for Paper 1 and 2 both, I read it multiple times and made crisp notes for Paper 2 eventually.
I would like add one point here that preparing optional before prelims at least the notes or reading once or twice is highly suggested as between pre and mains gap, you’re burdened with a lot of things and it becomes difficult to assimilate everything.
Apart from the strategy, I’d like to mention that being positive and determined is important in this journey. Also, since I did my complete preparation from home, I really think the family and friends play a crucial role in preparation so talk to them whenever you feel low in this journey.
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