The most respected national level competitive exam NTA NET/JRF conducted by UGC. Here is my journey divided into 4 stages. Each stage will give you major tips to follow to qualify JRF including what I did wrong.
It was the day when I first saw the question papers (offline mode) when one of my friend has came after giving UGC NET exam and showed all of us the question paper. That was the day JUNE 2018. As we were analyzing the papers, Suddenly, I got interested in solving them especially Paper 1 (General Subjects). It seemed challenging and thrilling and with some help we solved 35 out of 50.
About Paper II and paper III, though it was the subject of common interest- Tourism Administration and Management, I did not paid much attention as questions were vast and my basics seemed not very much good when I saw the questions. At that time, I was working as Operation Manager in a small boutique travel firm.
I started searching about more of UGC NET and Junior research Fellowship and all the processes related to it. There were several doubts started coming in my head regarding this. Some of the highlights were and so you must be having same:-
- What is UGC NET and what it resembles at national level.
- What is JRF and SRF. How much amount a Research Scholar is paid once qualifying it and what is the process of getting it.
- How qualifying the exam would help in my tourism career?
- From where should I start building my base on Tourism?
- Am I qualified to appear in this exam and for JRF as well?
- What happens if I qualify the exam, What’s next then?
- Is pursuing PhD beneficial for me and Where to apply for doing PhD?
- Is there alternative of career besides becoming a professor after obtaining PhD degree?
The doubts were endless although one thing I can surely say that whatever I decide, Being consistent in pursuing them is the answer of the doubts. So, I decided to take a break from my job, by doing freelancing from my home, as I did not wanted to sell tour packages all my lifetime. I wanted to bring new growth in my career and in society as well in tourism sector.
So, after working as a travel professional for two years, I took a break and started my preparation. Below are the stages I have gone through with multiple tips for anyone who are interested to prepare and qualify NET/JRF exam and pursue PhD.
To focus effectively while studying, start by setting clear goals for each study session, breaking down your tasks into manageable chunks, and prioritizing them based on importance. Create a distraction-free environment by minimizing interruptions and finding a quiet, comfortable space to work. Use the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused intervals with short breaks in between. Stay organized by keeping your study materials tidy and easily accessible. Engage actively with the material through note-taking, summarizing, or teaching concepts to yourself. Remember to stay hydrated, eat nutritious snacks, and take regular breaks to maintain energy levels. Practice mindfulness techniques to stay present and reduce stress. Finally, review your progress periodically and reward yourself for achieving your study goals. By implementing these strategies consistently, you can enhance your focus, productivity, and overall study effectiveness.
Stage 1:
I started my preparation from August 2018 for the next exam which was scheduled in December. I filled the form with two hopes.
1. Even there is less time to go through all syllabus and to understand new format of UGC as this time the exam was going to be online on computer screen, I wanted to face the questions and understand how my strategies and timing would be.
2. If I by chance qualify, even then also, I will learn about my strengths and weaknesses.
Tips List:
Tip 1: Take a deep breath as you are going to prepare for the Nation’s one of the hardest competitive exam which will help you in getting universally acknowledged Doctorate degree- the most respected degree in academics.
Tip 2: Write down whole syllabus for Paper 1 and paper 2. This will made me aware of the subjects I am going to prepare and set my mind through it.
Tip 3: I started with Paper 2 as it was my subject area- Tourism Administration and Management-093. For this, I got a well defined e- book by Charles R. Goeldner 12th edition- Tourism Principles, policies and Practices which one can get from here at very discounted rate. This book I recommend as a must for anyone who is preparing for UGC NET/JRF. The book will clearly clear all your basics and gives detail knowledge of various subjects in tourism.
Tip 4: I started memorizing many lists in tourism by walking or hiking on daily basis. Some of the important lists are:
- List of UNESCO heritage sites in India and their approved years
- List of International and National Airports Names of India
- List of waterfalls in India
- List of fairs and festivals and local cuisines of India
- Number of Religious pilgrimages in India – Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islamic, Zoorastrianism, Buddhism and Jainism.
- List of Tourism acts, policies and Systems approved in India
- List of various types of tourism and trends
Many of these lists are covered in the Tourism UGC NET Guide book which I have written as I know the pain of keep on searching about these lists all over the internet and again searching them during revision.
Now, I reached to my Stage 2 part which has taught me very important things
Stage 2: Read How to sort out your Strong Subjects and Major Tips while doing preparation
Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated innovation and transformation within the travel industry, paving the way for startups to address evolving traveler needs, preferences, and behaviors in a post-pandemic world.
