These are the thoughts that will enter your mind. Rather, these are the excuses that your brain will concoct.
And therein lies the biggest problem with CAT preparation: Motivation.
This was also my biggest problem when I tried to prepare for CAT 2017 in 2.5 months. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? I did it. I wanted a switch in my nascent career and thought of an MBA as the way out. In the bargain, I exhausted myself completely. The result? I gave up on 16th November 2017, just 10 days before CAT. I went to give the exam half-heartedly and scored 80.37 percentile. I didn’t have a goal beyond CAT. I didn’t have the drive to go beyond CAT.
Regardless of my performance, I picked up my books yet again in January this year. But the fear remained. What if this complacency sets in again? What if I lose the motivation to study? Am I going to be mediocre?
With this fear raging in my head, I decided to just pause and think: What is my goal? What do I aim to achieve through CAT 2018? Am I giving it to just beat others? Is this some sort of validation I seek to assure myself that I am not incompetent? Or is there a purpose behind all of this?
So, I did what anyone would do. I went to Quora and InsideIIM and researched the top colleges that I could get with my profile. The familiar-sounding name of a popular Ahmedabad based Institute came up. I went onto YouTube, searched for the name, and found videos of seniors welcoming the incoming batch.
2 minutes into the video, I felt a chill running down my spine. In fact, I have goose-bumps right now, as I recollect what I saw in that video. The red brick walls, the Louis Kahn design-work, the names of the canteen staff whom I had never even seen in my life, the dorm-stories, the names Seniors and Juniors go by; everything about that video screamed out to me that I belong there. I felt that I belong there with all these people who come from different walks of life. I imagined the learning, the rigour of the curriculum, the late-night study groups, the bulk of assignments to be submitted while preparing for exams and surprise quizzes, the friends I would make, the faculty I would look up to and learn from.
I realize that IIM-Ahmedabad may not be where I end up ultimately, but that video made me realize my goal and what I truly want.
I have been preparing since January 15th, 2018 and every single day after work, when I sit down for those 3 hours of weekday studies, I spend 15 minutes watching these videos. And only when I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand-up, and when a smile comes to my face out of thin air, do I start studying. And I have realized one thing:
You can give as many mock tests as you can and solve as many questions as you want, but only if you're Motivated.
My roommate, who himself is pursuing his integrated MBA from a well-known college, asked me recently:
“Aapko harr raat ko padhney ka motivation kahaa sey aata hai?”
And I told him the truth: "Bas, motivated hu. Pata hai kahaan jaana hai"
Have a goal. Find your motivation. That's the key that will allow you to achieve what you want.
Comments
Avani Tiwari
I am a computer science engineer currently working with Worldpay as a technical analyst since September 2016. I'm a sincere,dedicated, hard working and sensitive person and want Ann internship since I'm thinking of leaving the job to prep for CAT this year.
Thanks Chirag. I am in the same situation I prepared for almost three months,took cat and scored 79 percentile and I work. But for cat 2018 I haven't started preparing yet coz of the lack of motivation. I still don't have it though I introspect almost every day and I think that I need to get out of the rediculous job that I am trapped in, all in vain..
16 Feb 2018, 05.00 PM
+Read Replies (2)
Chirag Shukla
Don't quit your job unless you feel it drastically affects your preparation. Or if you quit, make sure you do something productive (like internships etc.) in this year that you can show to the interview panel. All the best!
16 Feb 2018, 05.50 PM |
Avani Tiwari
I am a computer science engineer currently working with Worldpay as a technical analyst since September 2016. I'm a sincere,dedicated, hard working and sensitive person and want Ann internship since I'm thinking of leaving the job to prep for CAT this year.
Thanks a lot. :) wish you the same.This has been a morale booster. Will look forward to ready more of your content.
23 Feb 2018, 12.21 AM |
diksha jaiswal
Hi Chirag. From where are you studing. Wich online course or classroom session are you attending. I also want to start preparation asap.
16 Feb 2018, 05.45 PM
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Chirag Shukla
Hi Diksha. I have enroled for weekend coaching at TIME in Mumbai. Apart from that, I use the TIME test prep material, Arun Sharma books and Takshzila on YouTube for preparing. I am also going to start giving Mocks from tomorrow onwards.
16 Feb 2018, 05.48 PM |
diksha jaiswal
Have you heard about elite grid online coaching. If yes, how is that coaching ?
16 Feb 2018, 05.57 PM |
Amar Rajput
best in terms of everything even i have enrolled thr
3 Mar 2018, 05.30 PM |
Manisha Gautam
i am not a cat aspirant earnestly i m IIM lucknow aspirant ...its my life long crave to be an inevitable part of this prestigious institute ..i have always dreamt of studying here...sanguinely IF i make it this year...i seen it ample of times from outside... and now waiting for my TURN....lucky u people who are still there....
u actually do connect to me as an aspirant...it feels good see when u find someone chasing the same as u wanted to have so far..
19 Feb 2018, 03.22 PM
john smith
Bb
Can u share the link of that video ?
5 Mar 2018, 04.07 AM
+Read Replies (1)
Chirag Shukla
Hi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmpbYcFhZvk This is the link. There are many others. I am inspired by IIM Calcutta and Bangalore videos as well. In fact, there is a fantastic tour of IIM Calcutta by a nostalgic alumnus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K73d3AplbVM
5 Mar 2018, 10.51 AM |