When it comes to competitive exams in the field of Social Science and Humanities, UGC-NET stands out.
It determines eligibility for ‘Assistant Professor’ and serves as a significant milestone for students looking forward to making their career in academics.
Now, where opportunities exist, it tend to attract healthy competition, and therefore, the NET certificate has become a dream for many.
Read here: How becoming an assistant professor is a self-fulfilling profession.
Preparing for the UGC-NET exam can be confusing and overwhelming due to the infinite strategies and expert opinions used by YouTubers.
On top of it, the coaching business is expanding and requires new ways to market the books and courses.
As a result, there is a new ongoing trend that involves interviewing UGC-NET-qualified students, which further adds to the confusion.
However, it should be noted that the fundamentals of study strategies remain the same. Let’s look into them.
If you are a beginner looking to kickstart your preparation for UGC-NET English Literature, here is a helpful guide to get you started.
Study More
UGC-NET English Literature aspirants often ask, “How many hours a day is good to crack the exam?’ There is no fixed formula for calculating the number of hours.
On the one hand, some students study less and pass the exam. On the other, some students spend years yet find it hard to crack the code.
I do not encourage the idea of appearing for the exam without any thorough preparation. It is only through deliberate efforts we can understand literature.
As you study more, you are able to touch upon a wide range of topics.
Although the number of hours does not matter, 4 Hours per day for six months is a sweet spot study schedule for an above-average student.
Note
1. If your medium of learning is Hindi, or any native Indian language in school or you find difficulty in understanding English, you need to put in more time and effort. Consider a paid course for additional support.
2. If you are self-studying from books and YouTube videos, you will require more time to complete the syllabus.
3. If you are doing a job, you are in an excellent position to study if you can manage your time and spare 4-5 hours for UGC-NET Preparation.
Read: How you can minimize career risks as a UGC-NET Literature Aspirant.
Staying Calm Despite Failing Behind Daily Targets
There are so many things and uninvited events that can disrupt your studies. Do not get discouraged when you are failing to make the most of your study time.
It’s normal, but it becomes a matter of concern if you are skipping your studies quite often. Therefore, make it your responsibility to prioritize your studies over other activities.
Actions
1. I suggest you to use a time-tracking mobile application. I used Forest to track my daily progress.
2. When you miss studying on some days, try to put in an extra hour or two the next day to keep up with the daily average of 4 hours.
3. We all have infinite flaws. Do not stress a lot about your deadlines.
4. Do not wait for the motivation. In competitive exams, you may have to face a lot of disappointments and uncertain moments about whether you will crack the exam or not.
5. Studying every day without waiting for motivation helps you go ahead of the students who are waiting for motivation.
As soon as you wake up in the morning, lead your day with a motto: “Today, I have to study for at least 4 hours.” Anything you study in these 4 hours will take you closer to your academic success.
Mixing Up The Subjects
In recent, the UGC-NET exam has become more challenging. Cramming of the facts does not work, but a broader understanding of different subjects is what is expected from students.
In short, cracking UGC-NET requires a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to literature. Let’s take an example. Here is a question for the UGC-NET June 2023 exam.
| (A) Walt Whitman | I. Howl |
| (B) A. D. Hope | II. A Far Cry From Africa |
| (C) Derek Walcott | III. Beat! Beat! Drums! |
| (D) Allen Ginsberg | IV. Australia |
Answer:
Walt Whitman – Beat! Beat! Drums!
A.D. Hope – Australia
Derek Walcott – A Far Cry From Africa
Allen Ginsberg – Howl
The poets mentioned above are from different ages and subjects. If you have studied Australian Literature, Caribbean Literature, and American Literature, the question is to solve.
While the question may seem simple on the surface, it has a recurring theme. UGC-NET has not asked the question randomly.
All these poems share a common thread of recurring themes in literature across different periods and ages in English history. All these poems challenge already established styles, societal norms, human conditions, etc.
A good literature student can find some clues by simply looking at the poets and their titles.
Studies have found that mixing up subjects and using an interdisciplinary approach to a subject is more helpful in retaining the information and solving questions in exams with greater accuracy.
Select Few Books
Someone said it right:
“It is better to read one book 10 times than to read ten books 1 time.”
Every time the students are in confusion, I suggest they limit the resources and revise the notes 10-15 times. By doing this, they can avoid getting lost in a sea of information.
You can refer to any book by William J Long, Routledge, David Daichies, or any other text on the History of Literature, depending on your long-term and short-term strategy.
All these books are good for building a grip on the subject, but avoid superficial reading of every recommended book. Instead, read one book multiple times.
If you can invest in a course, you can also check out our course (get in touch with us on WhatsApp) where I provide guidance and assign work on a daily basis to help you crack any competitive exam in English Literature.
Do Not Highlight the First Reading
When you first read a book, you will find yourself highlighting everything. Therefore, it is recommended to highlight points in your second reading of the book to avoid clutter.
I usually read about 50 pages at first and then re-read the same pages to highlight the critical points. This way, I remained stuck to relevant points and had to read less while making notes from them.
Revise your notes/highlights at least ten times to reinforce information in your memory before the exams.
Do Not Show Off
At last, I find it amusing when people start showing off their knowledge of literature on YouTube and in the comment section of the videos. That “Handsome Salary, Big Car And A House” Motivation Is Not Enough To Crack UGC-NET English Literature
Note
1. If you have not qualified for UGC-NET and are still struggling to crack the exam, you should avoid showcasing your knowledge. Let your success blow the trumpet.
2. If you have qualified for the UGC-NET exam, strike a balance. Action speaks louder than words. Bring something valuable to the table.
3. Earn respect and recognition of others with actions and contributions rather than leaving comments on videos and belittling others.
If your friend or teacher has taught you something wrong, communicate your concern in a respectful and non-judgemental manner.
Good communication skills include not only good writing or speaking skills but also etiquette.
It applies to the teachers who belittle other teachers to promote their coaching and courses. It displays a lack of professionalism and undermines good etiquette. We, being teaches, are role models for students and should avoid speaking mindlessly.
Very insightful sir🙏