The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination is one of the toughest competitive exams in India, attracting thousands of aspirants each year. Among the stories of perseverance and dedication, Riddhima Srivastava’s journey stands out as a shining example of determination and resilience. Riddhima, who secured the 74th rank in the UPSC exam in 2018, initially faced failure and disappointment due to stress on the exam day. However, she didn’t let this setback deter her; instead, she learned valuable lessons that ultimately led her to success.
A Glimpse into Riddhima Srivastava’s Journey
Riddhima Srivastava’s determination to become an IAS officer was unwavering. She embarked on her UPSC journey with complete preparation and high hopes. However, her first attempt at the prestigious examination took an unexpected turn when she succumbed to stress on the exam day. Despite her thorough preparation, the anxiety and nervousness got the best of her, leading to critical mistakes, and she couldn’t even clear the preliminary examination.
Learning from Mistakes: The Second Attempt
Riddhima Srivastava’s story is not just about her initial failure but also about her remarkable comeback. In her second attempt, she decided to rectify her past mistakes and achieve her dream of becoming an IAS officer. Her story serves as an invaluable lesson for countless aspirants who face similar challenges in their UPSC journey.
The Challenge of Time Management
According to Riddhima, one of the primary reasons for her failure in the first attempt was the mismanagement of time. She found herself engrossed in certain questions, losing track of time, and leaving her with insufficient time to attempt other questions. This lapse in time management proved costly and adversely affected her overall performance.
The Importance of Efficient OMR Sheet Filling
Another crucial lesson that Riddhima learned was the significance of efficiently filling out the OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet. In her first attempt, she spent an excessive amount of time on this task, which could have been used for answering questions. Time management during the examination is paramount, and even minor delays can have a significant impact on one’s performance.
Overcoming Question Entanglement
Riddhima’s experience highlights a common pitfall for many UPSC aspirants – getting entangled in a single question for an extended period. This leads to a waste of precious time and can be detrimental to overall success. Her journey serves as a reminder that effective time management and the ability to move on from challenging questions are crucial skills for UPSC candidates.
Conquering Stress: The Key to Success
Despite her meticulous preparation, Riddhima Srivastava’s first attempt ended in failure due to the overwhelming stress she experienced on the exam day. This illustrates that managing stress and anxiety is as important as academic preparation. It’s essential for aspirants to practice stress-relief techniques, such as meditation and mindfulness, to perform at their best during the UPSC examination.
