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Taking the UPSC exam or doing anything tough or out of our comfort zone, transforms our personalities for the better. We become resilient & learn to face life fearlessly.
For this reason, here are the 10 ways the UPSC CSE exam transforms one for the better:
- KNOWLEDGE IS POWER:
We gain immense knowledge about India & the world. From polity, economy, S&T to history, geography, security & IR.
“No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.” L. Frank Baum
- THINK & ANALYSE:
We learn to analyse every issue from multiple dimensions & reach a BALANCED conclusion-incorporating the view points of all sides fairly.
“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it’s thinking that makes what we read ours.” John Locke
- WISDOM:
Knowledge isn’t enough, we need to be able to understand & discern what’s right from wrong.
“By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second, by imitation, which is easiest; &
third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – Confucious
- EXPRESS WELL THROUGH WORDS:
We learn to write well & express our views & convey our thoughts in a structured & simple format. Clarity & simplicity delineates our writing.
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” – Louis L’Amour
- WELCOME CHALLENGES IN LIFE:
We are faced with several trials in this arduous journey, but we learn to take them on & overcome them courageously.
“Challenge & adversity are meant to help you know who you are. Storms hit your weakness, but unlock your true strength.” – Roy Bennett
- WORK UNDER PRESSURE:
With the vast competition, syllabus & the extremely low success rate in the exam, we become masters at working well under pressure. We don’t get fazed by it.
“Before you hate pressure, remind yourself that is where diamonds are made.” – Matshona Dhliwayo
- EMBRACE FAILURES & PERSIST:
Multiple failures in the exam,break us & then make us. We don’t give up every-time we encounter a setback. We persist.
Temporary setbacks->Permanent growth
“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” – Paulo Coelho
- ADAPT TO UNCERTAINTY:
Undertaking this journey is inviting uncertainty into one’s life, but we learn to adapt.
“Life is about not knowing,having to change,taking the moment and making the best of it,without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.” Gilda Radner
- DEAL WITH JUDGEMENTAL PEOPLE:
Choosing to take a break from employment & prepare while others embark on great careers, travel,etc, invites judgement from all quarters. It doesn’t unsettle us after a point.
We become mentally strong & learn to focus on our progress & growth.
“Other people don’t get to tell you what you can have!
Someone else doesn’t get to tell you who you can be!
The world doesn’t get to decide what you can try.
You are the only one who can make that decision.”
– Rachel Hollis
- DREAM BIG & WORK FOR IT :
We learn to dream big & take action in order to achieve them. Trials & tribulations don’t stop us.
“Everything that is or ever was began in a dream, so don’t be afraid to dream.”- Unkown
The quote by Bidemi Mark-Mordi below illustrates this point:
“They said my dreams were too insignificant to matter, & they might just be right. The thing however is,I owe it to myself to find out if they are. The only way I can do is to keep dreaming & living my dream. If in the end they are right, atleast I can tell myself I did my best.”
These were the 10 ways in which giving the UPSC exam transforms us for the better. We enter the battlefield as one version of ourselves & leave it as a better version -& victoriously, whether we’ve cleared the exam or not.
The journey transforms us!
We learn to be & do better.
We hope that you’ll are studying hard for Mains or the next attempt. Don’t give up. Comment below and tell us how has this journey transformed you? We’d love to know!
Until next time!
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