Why do you need a mentor?

UPSC is one of the toughest exams in India today. Millions and millions of candidates appear in this exam every year. So, to excel in this exam, a candidate needs proper guidance. The amount of syllabus you need to cover to top this exam is as vast as the ocean. If the correct schedule is not planned accordingly, one can lose their mind and go insane.

If you are confused about whether or not you need a mentor for UPSC, then take a look at this entire article. I rest assured, that you will find your way out of the dilemma.

Why is a mentor necessary for your UPSC preparation?

UPSC is not an exam where you mug up things and ‘vomit’ them in the exam. It’s an exam that tests all your senses. You need to be prepared both mentally and physically to undergo such an exam. Often you will find yourself in situations where you would feel lost, that is exactly where the role of mentor comes into the picture. 

Let’s list out the reason why you would need a mentor for UPSC:

1. Study Plan

The syllabus of UPSC is not a joke. A well-structured study plan is the foremost requirement of a UPSC candidate. When you begin to start your preparation everything might seem important even if it’s not. In that case, only a mentor can help you out with the correct guidance on what to study and from which book to study from. Because there are thousands of books available in the market and choosing the right one is difficult. 

Most importantly, every student has a different way of learning and has different retaining capacities. Mentors cater to the requirements of the students. Following the study plan designed by the mentor sincerely is a step toward success. 

2. Concept Clarity 

When you read or memorize something it is necessary that your concepts are crystal clear. An experienced mentor knows how to make your concepts clear so that it sticks with you for a long time. He is familiar with the type of questions that might come in the exam. A person is not capable of knowing it all and therefore needs a helping hand in such a complex exam.

To clear UPSC a person needs to keep on practicing questions on a daily basis. The questions that are solved are needed to be checked with the right feedback. He points out your weaknesses and your strengths. A Mentor gives you the proper feedback that will help you to improve. 

3. Motivation

Exams like UPSC can be overwhelming sometimes. There will be times when you will feel demotivated or even lose hope. To be constantly motivated in the right path becomes very important. A mentor knows how to keep you motivated. He will be the one pushing you in the right path and will be with you throughout your journey. Mentors make sure to fuel the flame every now and then so that you can study for a long time without getting distracted. A constant source of motivation is required because every 10 mins that you lose being demotivated, 1000 candidates overtake you. 

4. Shaping your mind

A mentor is the best person who can make you ready for the exam. Preparation for exams as complex as UPSC needs mental preparation. He gives you the taste of competition beforehand. Sometimes students get agitated in the examination hall. The peer pressure in the hall often leads to poor performance. To avoid such situations the mentors prepare you to deal with them and perform your best under such pressure. Even, the interview rounds in UPSC need mental preparation so that you can answer the question confidently.

Every field of occupation needs a mentor. Be it a doctor, a lawyer, a cricketer, an engineer, or any other occupation. Experienced and focused mentors give you their undivided attention so that you can ace the exam. 

It’s like when a choreographer teaches his/her students, he makes sure that every step is done accurately. He keeps a watch on them and corrects them so that they don’t end up breaking a bone. The card of techniques and the tricks are only in the hands of the choreographer who reveals it to their students slowly to make it easier for them to learn effectively. 

5. Experience Speaks

An experienced mentor knows how to treat his students. He knows his students inside out. He can assist you in choosing the subjects depending on your strengths and weaknesses. He is the only person who has the appropriate knowledge about the topic weightage and trains you accordingly. He is the person who understands how the internal process of this exam works and can assist you. You can ace the exam only if you listen to his advice or else you will be simply doomed. But also choosing the right mentor for yourself is very important. Different people have different approaches, you need to figure out which approach is right for you. 

Conclusion

To sum it all up, a mentor is the right person you need to seek for if you want to become a successful IAS officer. Mentors will make you ready for the exam and along with it they will constantly boost your confidence. Cracking UPSC with the trial and error method is an utter waste of time. Mentors are the only companion you will need in your journey to crack the UPSC Exam from day one.