Last year I was at the lowest point in my life when I could not qualify for UPSC CSE Interview. Clearing the Prelims stage by scoring good marks boosted my morale. But failing in Mains stage despite giving my best attempts shattered me.
This experience gave me a new perspective on life. I realized that there will be times when even after trying our best we don't get our desired results. But in that journey, we indeed learn valuable lessons.
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“Every rejection is nothing but a redirection with newer opportunities”. I learned that alongside perseverance, flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances is a necessity today. It is equally important to have an “exit plan” and to act upon it if the need arises.
So, I did the following things after the result to soothe my soul and to chalk out my next step.
I took up a Job. The preparation had given me subjective knowledge but what I was missing was the practical approach. My workplace has been a great learning space for me that gave me exposure not only in the legal-tech space but groomed me into becoming a more confident person.
I started traveling. I took numerous trips to the mountains and beaches. This was a way to rejuvenate my soul after 4 years of locking myself in a room filled with maps and study notes.
I started learning a foreign language- French and completed level A1.1. I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and delve into something randomly new.
But as all the UPSC aspirants can relate, the exam cycle is like a "Chakravyu" where one like Abhimanyu of Mahabharata gets entangled. It was extremely tough to come out of the exam cycle. How can one not have hope that maybe it is just a matter of "One More Attempt"?
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Nevertheless, with some introspection and guidance from friends and family, I decided to go for the B-school interview with full effort. All my interview experiences were good. The knowledge that I had gathered in my years of preparation helped me immensely. Also, the mentors from InsideIIM guided me in how to best present my answers. My conversation with the Professors in my interview ranged from questions on differentiation, integration to that of socio-economic phenomenas and constitutional law.
I managed to get selected in IIM Indore PGP, IIM Kozhikode LSM, MDI, IIFT, IIM-Tiruchirappalli, Ranchi, and the other new IIMs. And, I will be joining IIM Indore.
Given the position I was in last year, overwhelmed with lack of confidence, hopelessness, and a sense of bitterness towards life in general, this year I have managed to turn things around. I am grateful to have been able to make it to one of the "BLACKI".
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My message to everyone who can relate with my story will be "Only you have the power to change the situation if you feel you are stuck in it. Keep moving forward till you achieve what you dreamt of. If that means attempting the UPSC exam till you clear it then do it. Or else, self introspect and explore other areas that can give you equal amount of opportunities to make a career. Plan B should not be a compromise."
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Comments
Aayush Sharma
Inspirational! Your journey from dropping UPSC to cracking IIM I is a perfect example of switching fast with situations and not keeping all the eggs in one basket. All the very best for your future endeavours , Sayantani.
12 Jun 2023, 05.49 PM