How should I balance CLAT preparation with school studies?

Balancing CLAT preparation with your regular school studies can feel challenging, but with proper planning and discipline, you can manage both effectively. Here’s how you can strike a balance:

1. Create a Structured Study Plan

• Identify Priorities: Understand the weightage of both school and CLAT subjects. Allocate time accordingly.
• Divide Your Time: You’ll need a timetable that splits your day between school studies and CLAT preparation. For example, dedicate a couple of hours after school for CLAT-focused study.
• Follow a Routine: Consistency is key. Following a routine will help reduce last-minute stress and allow you to cover both school and CLAT topics.

2. Leverage Overlapping Subjects

Some subjects in CLAT and school are common (like English, legal reasoning, and logical reasoning in some cases). Focus on these topics during school preparation and deepen your understanding for CLAT.

• English: Your school syllabus often overlaps with CLAT’s reading comprehension and vocabulary sections.
• Current Affairs and General Knowledge: Reading newspapers for CLAT current affairs will also help in school essays or general discussions.
• Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques: If your school includes maths or reasoning, focus on sharpening those skills, which will benefit your CLAT preparation as well.

3. Use Breaks Wisely

• Productive Breaks: Use breaks during school study time to revise CLAT topics or read current affairs. This way, you are refreshing your mind and also preparing for CLAT without extra pressure.
• Short Revision Sessions: 15-20 minute sessions of quick revision can be useful, especially for sections like legal reasoning or GK.

4. Set Weekly Targets

Instead of daily targets, set weekly goals for CLAT. This allows flexibility during busy school weeks (like when exams or assignments are due), without hampering overall preparation.

Break your CLAT syllabus into smaller topics and set goals to complete them each week. For example, one week could be focused on reading comprehension, while another could be on logical reasoning.

5. Use School Study to Improve Time Management

The discipline you gain from regular school studies can be used to improve your time management for CLAT. Practice solving CLAT questions under timed conditions during weekends or holidays.

6. Prioritise During Exam Periods

When your school exams are approaching, focus on them. CLAT preparation can be scaled down during these periods, but don’t drop it completely. Small revisions of current affairs or solving a few questions can keep you in touch with CLAT material.

7. Stay Positive and Avoid Burnout

It’s important to stay mentally fresh. Take care of your health and well-being by getting enough sleep, eating properly, and taking breaks to relax. If you feel stressed, take a step back and adjust your timetable.

Key Tips

• Weekend Focus: Use weekends for more in-depth CLAT practice (mock tests, solving papers).
• Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your performance and improve. Check out free CLAT mocks here.
• Stay Consistent: A consistent routine, even if with small daily efforts, is much more effective than cramming.