Three steps

I cannot remember exactly the last time I was home alone but what I do recollect is taking care of the kids alongwith my cousin, while the elders went to their respective constituencies to exercise their voting rights. We made Shyaphaley for the little ones that day. It was a great success, except for the fact that the next day all of us had severe diarrhoea. Today, after some twelve-fourteen years, I am home alone. Literally. Everyone left for North Sikkim as it is my late uncle's 49 days prayer ceremony. I wanted to be a part of it but my mother has this strange logic that our home must never be locked. Somebody has to be home at all times so today I'm the pawn.

Strangely though, I am happy to be in this solitary confinement. I was able to achieve my target for yesterday in good time and I'm hoping today will be no different. Studying for examinations is a tedious affair no doubt but the knowledge one gains from reading is incomparable. I seem to be living a cycle wherein every few months I replenish myself with new information and old. I was trying to figure out where had I gone wrong with my preparation last year and I have a few answers:

1. I did not start studying in advance and waited for the results to be declared. But in my defence I had no idea I had a shot last year. I was in traveller mode when the shock was delivered.
2. I should have taken coaching for one main subject atleast. I tried to handle the subject minus any guidance which was totally wrong.
3. Not reading instructions correctly. I never thought I'd fall in the bracket of careless people but I do now.
4. I was extremely careless with the GS papers. Whatever I could study in a month's time obviously wasn't enough. The key to this paper is having a curious mind and reading as much as possible right from the beginning.

Starting all over again has shaken my confidence but I am taking it easy. The first step is about intelligence, the second is a healthy mix of hardwork + intelligence, and the final step is all about confidence (and to an extent experience). And with this my cycle for the year has begun. It is three steps to the hot seat.