Many law students always in deep thought about how they can achieve their aim of becoming a judge. Creating a well-structured timetable for judiciary preparation is crucial for efficient and effective preparation. Time is most important in aspirants’ life. Time management decides the future course of one’s career. We often see that some aspirants get success at very early age and some get after some time, this is mainly because of the right time management and correct guidance.
Prerequisites of a timetable for judiciary preparation:
- The first pre-requisite is to know oneself whether you like to study during night or in the morning hours. Based on study pattern, aspirants can be classified into two, one who studies at night and other who studies in morning. The timetable of both kind of aspirants will differ.
- The second prerequisite is to list all the subjects which you need to prepare for your exam (as per your choice of the state). In other words, it can be said ‘know your exam’ before making any timetable.
- Thirdly, the student should identify the weightage of various subjects and topics that are required to be covered for comprehensive preparation. This will help him in prioritization of his subjects and topics which will create better chance for success.
- Fourthly, a student should know their strengths and weaknesses in each subject. This will help in time allocation for each subject and topics respectively.
- Lastly, bring together all your notes, material etc. which will be required for your preparations.
‘Rome was not built in a day’, so is the success. This common phrase supports the idea of patience and that a great plan and its execution of the same creates success. A student should understand the importance of aim, plan, monthly, weekly and daily goals. Aim provides us the motivation to walk on the path of preparation. It is like the igniting a force for the student. Plan is a design of the complete preparation. This plan is further split into monthly, weekly and daily goals.
| Note: A great executor is the person who does not create and carry the burden of the past. In simple words, completing the task as per the goals is necessary for smooth functioning of the future goals and planning. |
| Caution: A student should make realistic goals. Goals are considered realistic when they are achievable or in other terms not impossible. |
The 24-Hour Breakup:
Broadly, a day of a student can be divided into 3 parts. Rest time, Ordinary Chores (Food, bathing etc) time and study time. The ideal 24 hour break up for a beginner aspirant is:
| 7 Hours | Sleep Time |
| 5 Hours | Ordinary Chores Time |
| 12 Hours | Study Time |
It is important to note that the above bifurcation of hours is for beginners. The study hours must increase with passage of time. Perseverance and discipline will help to reduce time for rest and ordinary chores, ultimately which will provide the scope to increase the study time.
| Note: Rest time should not be consumed at once. Out of 7 Hours, 5 hours should be consumed at night, the remaining 2 hours should be consumed across the day in the form of power naps to increase quality of your study. |
Do’s for Creating Timetable for Judiciary Preparation:
- It is important to strike a balance when creating timetable for judiciary preparation:. Create a combination of difficult and easy subjects to avoid Monotony and fatigue.
- Always include short breaks to maintain consistency in studies.
- Always keep your schedule flexible to include the unforeseen events in your life.
- In the beginning of the day (before breakfast), start with an easy and interesting subject.
- Post breakfast take up a difficult subject, post lunch take up a moderate subject and by the end of the day focus on revision or an easy subject.
- In your study time, include revision, MCQs, mock tests, test series etc. This will fortify your subject.
- Bare Acts are like bible for judicial aspirants. Aspirants need to master the bare act from cover to cover.
- For more retention, follow RRR rule which means Reduce – Repeat – Retain.
- It is important to understand before the exam you can’t revise from all sources, so create your own short notes for speedy revision. [Synopsis -Skeleton Notes]
- In your timetable for judiciary preparation: include GK [GS- Current affairs], Language or any other special requirement as per the choice of your state.
- During study, tests play a vital role in preparation. Do spare time for tests, these tests should be given time bound.
- Proper sleep, balanced diet, exercise or yoga are your friends during preparation. It is rightly said that ‘healthy body creates a healthy mind’.
- Weekly, monthly review is the soul of timetable this will help you to focus on your shortcomings and will keep you connected and motivated to work hard. Do align your timetable accordingly.
By following these steps, you can create a well-balanced and effective timetable for judiciary preparation, ensuring a thorough coverage of the syllabus and efficient use of your study time.
Remember a quote from Justice Joseph Story (United States, Supreme Court 1929),
‘The Law is a jealous mistress and requires long and constant courtship. It is not to be won by trifling favours, but by lavish homage.’