Thiruvananthapuram: C S Neethu of Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram did not harbour any dreams of securing a government job when she started going for PSC coaching. This was just a way to while away time.
Seated in the back bench of the classroom, she barely paid any attention to what was being taught. Unable to give the correct answers to the questions posed by her teachers, Neethu ended up becoming a laughing stock in front of her class.
She hails from a family with a meagre income, and only has her brother and mother to support her. "You are going for this coaching by paying so much just to sit around?" The question jolted her conscience and instilled in her a sense of purpose. She was determined to secure a job at least to help her mother and brother. And the hard work she put in afterwards helped her secure a spot in the last grade servant rank list.
Through her efforts, Neethu also changed the common perception that only those who excelled in studies can clear PSC exams.
When she started going for PSC coaching, Neethu did not even know the basic concepts of Maths and English. She failed miserably in the exams she wrote initially.
But the tips shared by her teachers helped her in her studies. She prepared notes and studied subjects including general knowledge by reading out loud. She also bought loads of white papers to practice maths problems. All these aided her in her exam preparations.
"Anyone who knows how to read and write in Malayalam can clear PSC exams. You just need to put your mind to it. The key factor is to be on the right track. Once you identify your track, run towards the finishing point. You will succeed," Neethu says.
Neethu literally burned the midnight oil for her exam preparations. During the Covid pandemic, she studied from 6pm till 4am. She regularly studied the portions that were taught in class each day. She practiced maximum model exam papers. She also went for combined studies with friends. But on some days, she took a break from her studies and relaxed.
Though she cleared the women CPO exam, she did not go for the physical test. Even if she gets the last grade appointment, she has decided to continue her PSC studies, as she has higher goals to pursue.