Heyoo! I've been wearing fruit of the loom sports bras since I started my transition about 1.5 years ago, and since then there have been some pretty amazing ahem developments in my chest area. But I just can't seem to come across a bra company that makes anything that really fits! I have an underbust of 42in and bust of 47, but I'm very broad and a little muscular(my back muscles or scapula may be inflating my measurements to make my bust seem larger than it is on paper), so my breasts look proportionally small and fail to fill the cups of all the bras I'm buying that claim to fit those dimensions.
I've tried bras from multiple companies on amazon and 2 from etsy that are "for trans women" and were supposed to dimensionally fit my size and the underbust is always constricting or the cup size is far beyond what I can fill. Anyone in a similar situation thats found a good company or particular bra that works really well for them? ❤️

Happy Tuesday all! :) You know the drill, when posting links please post in this format and no affiliate links!

• Item Name (Color, Color) lululemon.com/
• Ex: Energy bra (Black, Blue) lululemon.com/

BRAS:
Align V Neck Bra in C/D (White, Dark Lavender) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-sports-bras/Align-V-Neck-Bra-CD-Cup?color=60714
Envital Bra *Medium Support B/C Cup (Utility Blue, Kelly Green) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-sports-bras/Envital-Bra?color=60997
Flow Y Strappy Bra Nulu *Light Support, A-C Cups (Black, Utility Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-sports-bras/Flow-Y-Strappy-Bra-Nulu?color=36744
Free to Be Bra Wild Light Support, A/B Cup (Cyan Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-sports-bras/Free-To-Be-Bra-Wild?color=49226
Like a Cloud Ribbed Longline Bra Light Support, B/C Cup (Cyan Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-sports-bras/Like-a-Cloud-LL-Ribbed-BC?color=49226
TOPS:
Align™ High-Neck Tank Top (Dark Lavender, Kelly Green, Cyan Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-tanks/lululemon-Align-High-Neck-Tank-Top?color=60714
Back In Action Short Sleeve Nulu (Dark Lavender) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-t-shirts/Back-in-Action-Short-Sleeve-Nulu?color=60714
Cotton Blend Logo Training Tank Top (Bone, Twilight Rose) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-tanks/Cotton-Blend-Logo-Training-Tank-Top?color=27597
Ebb to Street Cropped Racerback Tank Top (Lilac Smoke, Flush Pink) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-tanks/Ebb-To-Street-RB-Crop-Tank?color=55325
Everlux Asymmetrical Tennis Tank Top (Utility Blue, Kohlrabi Green, Terrazzo Marble Silver Ice Multi) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-tanks/Everlux-Asymmetrical-Tennis-Tank-Top?color=61843
Quick Dry Short Sleeve Polo (Utility Blue, Crushed Granite Multi) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/tops-short-sleeve/Quick-Drying-Short-Sleeve-Polo-Shirt?color=36744
Swiftly Racerback (Dark Lavender, Fluid Wave Lip Gloss/Hot Heat, Kelly Green) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-tanks/Swiftly-Tech-Racerback-2?color=62255
Train to Be Tank Top (Hawaiian Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-tanks/Train-to-Be-Tank-2?color=47900
OUTERWEAR:
Softstreme Perfectly Oversized Cropped Crew (Kohlrabi Green) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-outerweaOversized-Crop-Crew-Softstreme?color=60300
Scuba Oversized Full-Zip (Java) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-outerweaScuba-Oversized-Full-Zip?color=52868
SHORTS / SKIRTS:
Court Rival Skirt Long (Lilac Smoke, Kholrabi Green) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/skirts-and-dresses-skirts/Court-Rival-High-Rise-Skirt-Tall?color=60300
Inner Glow High-Rise Short 3" (Utility Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-shorts/Inner-Glow-Short-3-French-Terry?color=36744
Pace Rival Mid Rise Skirt (Kohlrabi Green, Poolside) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/skirts-and-dresses-skirts/Pace-Rival-Skirt?color=54319
Speed Up High-Rise Lined Short 2.5" (Poolside) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-shorts/Speed-Up-Short-Hi-Rise-2-5?color=54319
Speed Up Low-Rise Lined Short 2.5" (Lip Gloss) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-shorts/Speed-Up-Short-Reg?color=28936
Stretch Woven Relaxed-Fit High-Rise Short 4" (flush pink) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-shorts/Stretch-Woven-Relaxed-Fit-HR-Short-4?color=56852
DRESSES / ROMPERS:
Grid Texture Sleeveless Tennis Dress (Kohlrabi Green) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/skirts-and-dresses-dresses/Grid-Texture-Sleeveless-Tennis-Dress?color=60300
Tiered Pleats Tennis Dress (White, Kohlrabi Green, Black) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/skirts-and-dresses-dresses/Tiered-Pleats-Tennis-Dress/_/prod11460535?color=60300
LEGGINGS:
Align High-Rise Pant 25" (Utility Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-leggings/Align-Pant-2?color=36744
Align™ High-Rise Pant 28" (Utility Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-leggings/Align-Pant-Full-Length-28?color=36744
Wunder Train High-Rise Tight (Twilight Rose) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-leggings/Wunder-Train-HR-Tight-25?color=55138
Wunder Train High-Rise Tight with Pockets 25" (Twilight Rose) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-leggings/Wunder-Train-HR-Tight-Pockets-25?color=55138
JOGGERS / PANTS:
Adapted State High-Rise Cropped Jogger (Velvet Dust, Kelly Green) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-joggers/Adapted-State-Jogger-Crop?color=47780
Softstreme High-Rise Straight-Leg Cropped Pant (Pink Peony) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-sweatpants/Softstreme-HR-Straight-Leg-Crop?color=56496
Stretch High Rise Cropped Pant 23” (Trench, Dark Terracotta) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-trousers/Stretch-HR-Crop?color=40237
ACCESSORIES:
All Night Festival Bag *Micro 2L (Twilight Rose) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/bags/All-Night-Festival-Bag-Micro-2L?color=55138&sz=ONESIZE
All Night Festival Bag 5L (Twilight Rose) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/bags/All-Night-Festival-Bag-Magnet?color=55138&sz=ONESIZE
Daily Multi-Pocket Canvas Tote Bag 20L (Natural/True Navy) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/bags/Dly-Mlti-Pckt-Cnvs-Tote-Bag-20L/_/prod11480063?color=64485&sz=ONESIZE
Dual Pouch Wristlet (Powder Blue/Utility Blue) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/accessories/Dual-Pouch-Wristlet?sz=ONESIZE
Logo Bobby Pins (Kohlrabi Green, Flush Pink, Black, Dark Lavender) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/hair-accessories/Logo-Bobby-Pins-2-Pack/_/prod11460357?color=60300&sz=ONESIZE
RESTOCK:
Wunder Train Contour Fit High-Rise Tight 25" (Wild Indigo) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-leggings/Wunder-Train-HR-Tight-25-Contour-MD?color=58292
MENS:
Pace Breaker Linerless Short 5” Updated (Soft Denim) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/men-shorts/Pace-Breaker-Linerless-Short-5-Update?color=52408
Pace Breaker Linerless Short 7" Updated (College Cobalt, College Crimson, College Purple) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/men-shorts/Pace-Breaker-Short-Linerless-7-Update?color=62328
Pool Short 5" (Atomic Purple, Blossom Silhouette Max Bronze Green Graphite Grey) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/mens-swim/Pool-Short-5/_/prod10950158
Pool Short 7" (Atomic Purple, Night Sea, Vintage Gold) https://shop.lululemon.com/p/mens-swim/Pool-Short-7/_/prod10950107
​

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worldnews

• Lionel54321

Palestinian toddler shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies of wounds
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• chessc

Nova Kakhovka dam in Kherson region blown up by Russian forces - Ukraine's military
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• HydrolicKrane

Russia likely caused Europe's largest man-made disaster in decades – Ukraine's Foreign Minister
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news

• modularpeak2552

Robert Hanssen, former FBI agent convicted of spying for Russia, dead at 79
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• nat9191

Oklahoma school board approves what would be the 1st taxpayer-funded religious school in US
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• Pekotski

Poland: hundreds of thousands march against rightwing populist government
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science

• chrisdh79

At least 81 women around the world have been murdered as a result of their work defending the environment, according to an international analysis of the Environmental Justice Atlas
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• rjmsci

A study shows how the psychedelic drugs LSD and psilocin act. The findings suggest that these psychedelics exert antidepressant effects by binding neuroplasticity-promoting receptors in the brain. The study, say authors, is further evidence that non-hallucinogenic psychedelics could be developed.
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• Wagamaga

Researchers have trained a robotic ‘chef’ to watch and learn from cooking videos, and recreate the dish itself. By accurately recognizing the ingredients and observing the actions of the human chef, the robot was able to deduce which recipe was being prepared
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• chetanaik

space should join other major subreddit in a blackout protesting Reddit's upcoming API changes. What do you think?
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• Spiritual_Navigator

James Webb Space Telescope spies earliest complex organic molecules in the universe
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• redhatGizmo

Scientists discover mysterious cosmic filaments at the heart of Milky Way galaxy
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Futurology

• altmorty

Climate change is already making parts of America uninsurable: “We’re steadily marching toward an uninsurable future.”
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• mafco

The US clean energy manufacturing boom has begun. Now what? The scale and speed of the shift has been stunning. Clean energy is no niche industry anymore. “We’ve seen, in the last six months, more investment in clean energy manufacturing than we have in the last 20 years.”
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World EV Sales Now 14% Of World Auto Sales
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AskReddit

• fuzzyloulou

What type of human behavior will you never understand?
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What urban legend needs to die?
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What exercise/activity would be the most awkward to do nude?
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todayilearned

• theotherbogart

TIL: TLC was the first all-female group to sell 10 million copies of an album - CrazySexyCool. But they weren't cool about making $50,000 each for the album while the record company got $75 million. So, they held Arista Records President Clive Davis hostage until the NYPD intervened.
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• triviafrenzy

TIL King Henry II of France participated in a jousting tournament in 1559 to celebrate the marriage of his daughter. A lance splintered on his helmet and pushed wood into his eye and brain. He died ten days later. His death led to the decline of jousting in France.
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• Gr8fulFox

TIL That even with an outside temp of -49F, an igloo can have an internal temp between 19 and 61F from body-heat, alone.
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dataisbeautiful

• Bladedbro5

[OC] Evangelical Protestant Population by U.S. State
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One Month Stay in New England Cost Breakdown [OC]
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Big Pharma Revenues by product for 2020
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Cooking

• skahunter831

/Cooking is joining the blackout on June 12-14th to protest Reddit's proposed API changes, which will end 3rd party apps
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I want to give rich umami flavours to my Bolognese, would oyster sauce, fish sauce, red wine and beef stock be overkill?
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Ninja blenders are a PAIN IN THE ASS to clean.
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food

• SpaceHallow

[homemade] Bone-In Ribeye and Stuffed Mushrooms
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[Homemade] Crispy scallion pancake
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[Homemade] Chicago Dogs
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movies

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SAG-AFTRA Members Vote 97.9% in Favor of Strike Authorization
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Poster for Bottoms
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There is no other movie out there that demands a sequel more than District 9 (2009). Which movie do you think demands a sequel?
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• awkwardtheturtle

Do your part. The Arts need you to fight for us.
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"Sinking Ship", Ian Yan (me), 3D, 2023
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Sweet life, Alai Ganuza (me), oil painting, 2022
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television

• MarvelsGrantMan136

SAG-AFTRA Members Vote 97.9% in Favor of Strike Authorization
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On ‘The Idol,’ Why Are the Weeknd’s Acting Skills Nonexistent?
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My Adventures with Superman OFFICIAL TRAILER adult swim
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pics

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Kanye and his new wife out for a stroll
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To Protect And Sleep
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These signs were put up in NYC after weed became legal
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gifs

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A girl swinging a bat at a piñata
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Robot dog slips over banana peel
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Happy BirthDay Woo
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educationalgifs

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Mixing concrete
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mildlyinteresting

• -Tyrone-Biggums-

My local Pizza Hut hasn’t changed since the 80’s
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An unfired 9mm bullet next to the one that was inside me for 4 years.
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disassembled used EpiPen revealing how it works, as well as the extra doses within
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interestingasfuck

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The Way This Snail Bridges The Gap
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Dog corrects pup’s behavior towards the owner
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Sherpas rescuing guy from crevasse on Mt. Everest
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funny

• b_ub_u-1

Make this an international sport
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What kind of doctor is this?
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The camera shake though
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aww

• St0pX

In a hole in the ground there lived a hoppit
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LMAO! Why’s the Retriever the only one unfazed by all that?! 🤣
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Why are otters so cute and make these noises?
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#sports #nintendo #gamecube --
WTA Tour Tennis For Nintendo Gamecube. Play an intense game of tennis in this fantastic video game called WTA Tour Tennis. It features very good visuals while playing against the tough A.I. In the exhibition mode there are multiple locations to choose from, to play this intense women's tennis sport all across the world. Plus, it includes tennis pros such as Kim Clusters, Serena Williams, Martina Hingis and more to face off against. Plus it even has multiplayer mode! Overall, if you like women’s tennis or tennis in general this is an excellent sports title to experience. --
Hey check out similar videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVduyMnVQjzMloKdJzl0b1S1peRP9VwBp

Should we call this big news Tuesday? Both the Citizen and the Zodiac are nice!

What's new

1/
Citizen Surprises With New, Smaller, 37mm Promaster Diver Collection
If I were a betting man, I would put the Citizen Promaster line at the very top of divers when it comes to popularity. It is not an expansive collection of watches like Seiko tends to do, and it is an absolute bargain if you are looking for a tough sports watch that will take a beating. However, the line of people who could never wear one is just as long, if not even longer, due to the size of the watch - 44mm is just a huge watch. Well, no longer. Citizen just announced a new Promaster Diver line in 37mm in three colors - black, blue and pink.
Despite shrinking down the watch below 37mm (and 11.6mm thick), the Citizen Promaster remains a capable diver with 200m water resistance. Actually, it retains most of the functionality and looks of the bigger watch. It still has the very recognizable hands, a 4:30 date window, dive time bezel and the legendary rubber strap. Inside the watch is the Eco-Drive E168 movement which is solar powered and gets you six months of power without the need for light exposure.
All three variations – black, blue, and pink (with a rose gold-toned steel case) – will set you back $375.
This watch comes at a perfect time where a lot of watchmakers are skewing smaller to keep up with changing tastes from consumers. To have such a popular watch in such an appealing package and at such a price, this will have to be a huge hit for Citizen.
2/
Zodiac Unveils Two New Incredible Colors To the Super Sea Wolf Compression Diver
Most divers are a sea of blues and blacks, with the occasional silver and a splash of color. Zodiac has a different philosophy. They are on a mission to create the most colorful and out-there diver. And boy, are they good at it. Now they’re introducing two new core colorways into its Super Sea Wolf Compression collection - the Seafoam, obviously a seafoam green with black, white, and a touch of orange, and the Gulf, which takes on the classic light blue, orange, and silver colorway of the Gulf oil company which served as one of the most iconic racing car livery ever.
Both models feature the same 41mm × 13.4mm steel case with a water resistance rating of 200m, and both have the STP 1-11 movement inside. The Gulf model comes on a five-row stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp and a spring-loaded extension while the Seafoam has a color matching tropic-style rubber strap with a pin buckle.
The Gulf has a light blue bezel with an orange minute track that frames a bright silver dial. If the photo’s of this watch look familiar, it’s because this is a callback to the vintage Zodiac Sea Wolf 1781W, one of the most desirable Zodiac models. While this watch is up from the original’s 35mm, it’s still a close-enough recreation that it makes for a good alternative.
The Seafoam also leans vintage, not so much into the Zodiac back catalogue, but rather into popular culture of the late 50’s and the guitars, fridges and cars that came in an almost identical color. The watch has a seafoam green dial, matching strap, a black bezel, and a pop of orange on the minute hand.
Both models are available for purchase now and the new ZO9304 “Gulf”on steel costs US$1,595, while the ZO9305 “Seafoam” on rubber will set you back US$1,295.
3/
Zenith Blings Up The New Defy Skyline Skeleton With Just Enough Gold
The Zenith El Primero movements really are iconic and Zenith knows this. I guess that’s the reason why they are making some of the best skeleton watches today. Following the earlier Defy Skyline Skeleton model which featured symmetrical black and blue open dials with a four-pointed star formed by the cut-out and the Defy Skyline Boutique Edition with silvery-grey finishes, zenith is now releasing a new Defy Skyline Boutique Edition, this one with subtle touches of gold that make the watch even better.
Just like the previous models, this new skeletonized Defy comes in an angular-shaped 41 mm case with a 12-sided, faceted bezel inspired by the Defy models from past times and a screw-down crown. The colorway, as mentioned, is similar to the previous model with silver-grey finishes, but it also has a slightly darker chapter ring and applied gold-plated baton hour markers filled with Super-LumiNova, and matching hour and minute hands, only now there’s less dial and more movement.
Inside the watch, visible through the dial, is the El Primero 3620 SK, with the 3620 as a base, reworked, featuring the 1/10th of a second sub-dial at 6 o’clock, right on top of the watch’s 5Hz escapement, and it comes without the date indication. It has a stop-second feature for accurate time setting and a power reserve of 55 hours. The watch comes on either a steel bracelet or a rubber strap with a starry sky pattern.
The watch costs CHF 10,900, which, all things considering, looks like a very fair price.
4/
Nomos Teams Up With Wempe For An Icy Blue Dialed Tangente For Hot Summer Days
There seem to be two trends this summer in watches. One is something that Zodiac is embracing fully - going all out on color; while the other is one specific color that we have now seen on several watches - ice blue, a color that seems to be the color of the summer. Nomos has teamed up with famous retailer Wempe to create a special edition Tangente Neomatik Update 41 for Wempe Signature Collection in this exact color.
It’s still a Tangente Neomatik. This means a 41mm stainless steel case that’s only 7.9mm thick with straight and angled lugs. The narrow bezel that holds the sapphire crystal serves as a visual trick to make the watch look much larger than it is. The main difference comes from the dial and it’s ice-blue dial, whose light tones are offset by blued hands and black indices and numerals. The darker blue colour is also found on the date complication, which shows each date through cutout sections in between the date digits on the outer rim of the dial.
The reason for the date being displayed in this unique fashion is the Calibre DUW 6101 inside the watch. To keep it as thin as possible and not have to stack the date disc on the movement, Nomos moved the date disc outside of the outer edge of the movement. The date can also be adjusted in both directions through the crown, while the movement itself stores 42 hours of power reserve. The watch comes on a very nice blue-black textile strap with a stainless steel pin buckle
This is a limited edition of 200 pieces, all of which are exclusively sold through Wempe’s showrooms for a price of EUR 3,400.
5/
The New Credor Goldfeather Is An Uncommon, Pricey And Gorgeous Option For A Dress Watch That Will Be Hard To Get
From 1960 to 1969, Grand Seiko was Seiko’s top brand, both in quality and price. However, with the advent of quartz watches, Grand Seiko was dethroned as the most expensive watches. In 1974, Seiko separated their most high-end quartz watches into a line called Crêts d’Or, which literally means Golden Crests, but «Crêts» is a french word that applies more specifically to the summits of the Jura Mountains, a chain of mountains spreading between France and Switzerland, known to be the birthplace of watchmaking.
After alternating the name between Crêts d’Or and Credor a few times, Seiko finally settled on Credor (Credor and Crêts d’or have the exact same pronunciation in French) in 1978 but it still was just a separate line of watches within Seiko’s catalog and was branded with a simple SEIKO logo below the 12 o’clock position. In 1978, Credor became its own brand, with the dial that said Credor Seiko. Since then Grand Seiko and Credor have been the pinnacle of Seiko watchmaking.
It’s not often that you get to se a Credor watch, and they are even more rare outside of Japan. However, the folks over at Fratello have dug up a new, very interesting, release from Credor - the new Credor Goldfeather. The Gold Feather, as Seiko spelled it at launch, is a watch from 1960 which focused on absolute thinness. With the hand-wound caliber 60M it was just 2.95mm thick and was all the more impressive because it had a central seconds hand.
The reissue, named the Credor Goldfeather is thin, but not that thin. The 18k gold case measures 37.1mm wide and 7.7 thick. The watches are powered by the hand-winding 6890 caliber. The 6890 is just 1.98mm thick, and in this watch, the movement is attached directly to the case to keep the thickness to a minimum. However, the new Credor does not have a seconds hand.
The Credor Goldfeather will come in two variants. The first model, reference GBBY982, is in 18K yellow gold limited edition of just 30 pieces. The second model, reference GBBY980, is in 18K rose gold and will be a regular-production piece. The limited yellow gold model has a sunburst brushed dial with engraved hour indices, minute track, and Credor name. On the rose gold variant, Credor chose to use applied indices and a painted logo.
Reference GBBY982 will be released on July 8th in Japan as a pre-sale with availability in April 2024 at the Credor shop. Pricing is not for the faint of heart at approximately €22,700. For the reference GBBY980 pre-orders start on August 11th in Japan and also available in April 2024 in the Credor shop. Pricing is slightly less at roughly €22,000.
-------------------------------------------------------------

On hand - a selection of reviews

1/
Hands-On With The New Yema Superman 500 Dato In White And Khaki
2/
A Review of Bulgari's New Aluminium Summer-Ready Limited Editions
3/
Is The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar 5261R Really A Women’s Watch?
-------------------------------------------------------------

Watch Worthy - A look at an offbeat, less known watch you might actually like

The Stella Breslin revives the linen dial for the here and now
All of those features would be nothing if it didn’t have a good base, and the Stella Breslin’s linen dial is breathtaking. Linen dials are a little bit of a lost art in watchmaking, although there’s nothing in theory which makes them more difficult than any other highly textured pattern. The Classic Blue is richer than the Felix’s Dress Blue, and is paired with crisp white lume instead of the cream colour. There’s a Silver dial which almost looks made of polished meteorite, and would be best suited to more formal situations. The most fun option however is the Raspberry dial, hovering somewhere between a hot pink and a crimson red. It’s a truly great colour that you don’t see very often in other watches which boast pink or red dials, making it a unique display of personality.
-------------------------------------------------------------
People loved the Seiko Alpinist giveaway! That's why I'm doing a new one. This time, we're giving away four Hamilton Khaki Field Automatics in a color of your choice. Head on over to the newsletter if you would like to enter.
If you would like to receive some additional watch-adjacent content, as well as this news overview, every morning Monday-Friday in the form of a newsletter feel free to subscribe. However, there is absolutely no need for you to subscribe, as all the news from the newsletter is posted here. It is only if you want to receive a couple of daily links that are not strictly watch-related and want to get this news overview in your inbox.

Hello! I'm a teen girl in high school. This is going to be a long and messy post, please forgive me for any mistakes or rules I violated.
During my freshman year, I got a growth spurt (Idk what else to call it coz I gained a lot of height and weight in a few months). I used to get up in the morning with a sharp pain in my chest, which was an obvious sign that my boobs were growing. Fast forward to senior year, I have quite a large chest and am also overweight. I've been body shamed by my parents in the last couple of years. They forced me to go for strict training to lose weight for a month and used to take me out for running in the morning even if I was not willing. This led to a lot of fighting in our home. I was tired, very insecure, and kind of depressed I believe. Now I don't live with them as I've moved somewhere else for HS education, which is so peaceful.
I suspect I have PCOS/PCOD (I have some signs but not all), but my parents won't take me to the hospital for a checkup. They are not really abusive or anything but are not very supportive either. Say neutral.
​
(Weird experience ahead) I didn't wear my sports bra one day and was coming from somewhere. My mom saw me walking and told me that I looked very indecent, bcz they were bouncing (Idk how to make this sentence sound less weird).
​
Now I'm a fairly confident person, unlike two years ago. It wasn't just in a blink, I studied like crazy and worked on myself to build my self-esteem. Only I know how much energy, tears, and hard work I had to give to become what I've become today. I really am not bothered about what my mom or anyone says about me, or I can say nothing bothers me anymore other than my own thoughts, kind of stoic. My mom said that my chest is already bigger than most girls my age and I should take extra care to not look indecent. More than upset, it made me uncomfortable realizing that everyone is aware of my big chest. Like it's obvious but the fact that everyone looks, maybe thinks and comments about them in their mind or talks about them with their friends and then forgets, makes me feel like a piece of meat.
Most of the boys in my HS are very respectful (at least in front of me) except for one incident when a guy said aloud how large my boobs are. I definitely cried after getting home but it didn't bother me later. Younger folk have almost never made me uncomfortable, it's mostly older men (and surprisingly women too) but I've gotten used to it.
I do have big assets and I'm overweight too. I always wear baggy clothes but one day I wore somewhat fitting ones, and my girlfriends were amazed?? Cringe.
Trust me, I have tried a lot to lose weight, even started OMAD but no results. The only good thing I did is that I stopped the weight from increasing but couldn't reduce it. I realized that these extreme measures disrupt growth, and since my height is still growing, I don't want to risk it.
I want to go for reduction surgery when I grow up. I know almost everything (I guess?) I need to know about it and I'm just focusing on my career. The only thing I need right now is empathy, sympathy, or any advice any of you nice ladies have for me. I just need a little encouragement and found that this is the best place to share my experience. Thank You.
​
EDIT: Thank you so much to everyone for replying with such kind words and amazing advice. I feel much better now, and I'll always keep these pieces of advice in my mind. Thank you so much!!

I basically went out to find this group or something like it because ever since I've had my reduction, I've wanted to talk about what my breasts used to be like. I guess I've realised that this part of my body I've always struggled with, there were things I was just embarrassed and ashamed of about it (even if I buried those feelings at the time) and could never talk or open up to anyone about.
Since I had my reduction I feel like I now want to share and I perhaps realise that maybe there's some mild trauma that my brain wants me to process, but while I've shared some details with some people, there are still things I feel like it's TMI to share and most people probably don't want to know.
But I guess this is a group of people who may have had similar experiences or whatnot so read if you want or don't. I just want to share this which is kinda weird because I've tried to keep it hidden for so long.
As a teenager my breasts grew too big too fast, grew so fast that by fifteen years old, I had deep, red, wide channels in my breasts that I realise now were stretch marks. I'd say they were about half a centremeter thick and a quarter of a centremeter deep, and bright red. I know now they are stretch marks but I didn't really know what they were at the time as they were unlike any other stretch marks I'd ever seen then or since. Stretch marks on the bellies of pregnant women weren't this wide or this red or as deep as these were, at least not ones I've ever seen. (And I did try to look up on the internet about stripes on your breasts but never found anything that looked like mine.) They didn't seem to cause me any pain at the time and I wasn't prepared to ask or show anyone so I kinda just lived with them. I do remember another girl looking down my top once when I bent down to pick them up and thought I had self mutilated with a knife or something.
(They started to heal in my twenties and have since looked like normal looking stretch marks.)
My breasts had always been the part of my body I disliked the most. It wasn't just that they were too big and heavy, it's that they were disproportionate. "Too big for my frame" is basically the wording my surgeon used.
Another aspect I haven't talked about is that in my thirties (my current decade) I was looking at my body and noticed something I had never noticed before and asked myself, "For how long have I not had an areola?"
Like, I couldn't see my areolas. I know I USED to have areolas, I remembered having areolas when I was younger, but at some point they slowly seemed to have disappeared without me even noticing. My nipples were there, they just didn't have any visible areolas...
... Okay, they didn't actually disappear. When I noticed this I examined my breasts more carefully and discovered that I did still have my areolas, what had happened to them is that they had been stretched out so much that they were taking up just under half of the entire skin surface of my breasts. They were also almost exactly the same colour as the rest of my breasts. I found only a slight barely visible line between where my areola ended and my normal skin started.
My breasts were also so saggy from being weighed down that I basically had to fold them double to get them to fit in a bra in my thirties.
What convinced me to get a breast reduction though is that as I got older, they seemed to just be getting heavier. I don't know if they actually were getting heavier or if my body was just getting too weary of carrying the weight. While they were too big size-wise, the weight was the bigger issue. I had a constant tension in my back and inability to keep a healthy posture. I found myself spending all my free time in bed because it was the only position that wasn't uncomfortable. I struggled to maintain 8 hours even at an office job. (I do remember one annoying guy who kept being on my back about my posture in terms of ergonomics.)
Anyway I got my reduction and my life and health has improved and I'm happier with my body which is I guess why I can talk about it now. For the record I got about 800 grams per breast removed (so about 1600 grams overall). I also had no trouble convincing a surgeon that it was "medically necessary" they made that assessment immediately. I also have normal sized areolas again which is niceand never felt more comfortable in a bra. I was even able to get sports bras without underwires that can fit me and support me. So yay.
So that's my story and it's a happy ending.

In just under two weeks, ARMYs will descend upon Singapore to see SUGA! Help an ARMY out and let them know about safety, how to get around, where to eat, tourist attractions, BTS-related things to do, or anything else that you think someone should know when they visit! (Special thanks to the mods for your input and feedback for this guide!)

BTS' Past Visits

Red Bullet Tour (2014 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II) at the The Star Performing Arts Centre (13 Dec 2014)

• Fancam
• Official photos by Hallyu Singapore
• Official photos of Hi-Five session by Hallyu Singapore. Session was for all Cat 1 VVIP ticket holders ($268), who got a Hi-Five Pass and Concert Poster. The first 100 VVIP ticket holders also got to go up on stage to get a "Dark & Wild" album autographed by BTS.

Music Bank performance (4 Aug 2017) at the Suntec Convention Centre

• Fancam
• Quiz game video
• Outing at the Merlion statue and Singapore flyer: Photos Set 1 Photos Set 2.

Love Yourself World Tour (19 Jan 2019) at the National Stadium
This made history as the first time a K-pop group held a concert at the venue (largest concert venue in the country) and tickets sold out in about 3.5 hours! (45,000 audience)

• Concert review
• Witty notice from the Singapore Police Force abt avoiding ticket scams (it uses the BTS song titles!)
• Bonus: Jimin picked Marina Bay Sands as his special spot in the BTS x Street Galleries collaboration with Google revealed on ARMY Day (July 9) 2022

Concert Venue

Do note that it’s currently the June school holidays too (26 May-26 Jun), so the Sports Hub and surrounding areas may be crowded with many other visitors besides the concert-goers. Please be mindful!

• Singapore Indoor Stadium, right next to the National Stadium (both are part of the Singapore Sports Hub) where BTS performed at their last concert here in 2019. In fact, the Indoor Stadium was then used as the waiting zone for the standing zone ticket-holders.
• Concert guidelines been posted yet (will update here when they are), but here are the general guidelines for events there (links opens a pdf)
• The nearest MRT station is the Stadium station, on the Circle line - here is a train map (with Stadium MRT circled out in light purple). You’ll know when you’ve arrived as the station design is quite unique! Go up the elevator and follow the signage - the path is sheltered.
• You can find Kallang Wave Mall right next to the venue, for a spot of shopping and dining before the concert (opening hrs:10am-10pm daily). There is another smaller mall Leisure Park Kallang located next to the carpark, which houses an ice skating rink, bowling alley and cinema alongside more food options. The open space in front of the MRT station and the two malls is where ARMYs are likely to gather to exchange fan support and stuff
• The nearest hawker centre (i.e the affordable street food) is Old Airport Road Food Centre, one of the oldest and largest hawker centres in the country. It is about 20 mins walk away from the stadium, or you can simply alight at the Mountbatten/Dakota MRT stations (one or two stops away from Stadium MRT station respectively); both are about a 5 mins’ walk away from the food centre. Here is a list of recommendations (unfortunately, not a lot of Halal food stalls here. Let me know if you need those).
• There is also a McDonalds’ & KFC near Mountbatten MRT if you want something more familiar, or potentially try whatever new promo is currently going on at these places.

Sightseeing/Activities

Non-exhaustive list (all prices are in SGD)

• National Gallery Singapore. There is a special Namjooning Tour as part of the Gallery Wellness Festival. Slots are fully booked for the guided tours on 25 & 30 June. You could try the self-guided tours instead, which start on 17 July. Gallery passes for general admission to the permanent galleries (needed to access the tour) cost $20 for non-Singaporeans aged 13-59. Closes early (by 3pm) on some weekends in June and July (see dates on website).
• National Museum Singapore. Has very interactive and engaging exhibits. Highly recommended (I used to be a volunteer docent there for abt a year). Tickets cost from $15 (for access to permanent galleries only)
• Singapore Zoo & adjacent parks (Bird Park, River Wonders, Night Safari). We have one of the best zoos in the world! Single park tickets cost $50. Multi-park options also available. .
• Gardens by the Bay. Pretty gardens with outdoor sections and 2 indoor air-conditioned conservatories - you may have heard of the supertrees that have been featured in the movie "Crazy Rich Asians" and K-drama "Little Women". Provides a welcome respite from the heat. It’s free to visit the outdoor areas, but it’s really worth it to pay for entry to the conservatories. There are various pricing packages, so best to check out the website yourself.
• Singapore Botanical Gardens is our first UNESCO World Heritage site, the first and only tropical botanic garden on the list. Admission is free.
• The Merlion and the Marina Bay area. I personally recommend going at night to see the famed cityscape of Singapore all lit up (the temperature’s cooler too!). Marina Bay Sands Mall has a light and water show every night. There is also the iLight Festival going on now until 25 June with artistic light installations (mix of free and paid attractions). Bonus: Yoongi wore a Merlion Singapore t-shirt in a travel-themed Lotte Xylitol ad!
• You can also ride the Singapore Flyer for an aerial view of our city like the boys did! Admission costs $40.
• Visit our ethnic enclaves, Chinatown, Little India, Kampung Glam and Geylang Serai to see old shophouses, shop for souvenirs and try ethnic food
• One of the fanbases here, BangtanSG, has teased an ARMY event from 11-13 June. Will update when more details are released.
• Sentosa & Universal Studios Singapore theme park - you can access the island via various modes of transport with varying admission fees. Transport within the island is free.
• If you don’t want to think too hard, the best airport in the world for 12 years running is also an attraction in itself! See its dedicated section below for more information.
• Singapore is also located in the centre of Southeast Asia - if you’ve never been in this oft-forgotten region of the world, take the chance to check out our neighbouring countries as well! Malaysia can easily be reached via bus, and Indonesia via ferry.

(Note: You may want to check out Klook for discount tickets/passes)

Dining

Singapore is a food paradise with various cuisines from the local ethnic groups, as well as international ones. For Muslims, there are a lot of Muslim-owned or Halal-certified options around (look for this certificate, or the label “Muslim-owned”), including most of the fast food chains like McDonald’s/KFC/Burger King/Subway.
Carrying some cash with you (~$10 per pax) is a good idea, especially if you’re venturing out to hawker centres; while many places now have an electronic payment system in place, cash is still king in terms of versatility, and anecdotally most stores prefer cash or will charge a credit-card payment surcharge.

Where to eat?

• Most of the malls have a good selection of dining options, ranging from the (relatively affordable) multi-stall foodcourts to fast-food restaurants, cafes, and more upmarket restaurants.
  • It can get crowded during lunchtime (12-2pm) as office workers come out for their break, so try to avoid those hours if possible, or make advance reservations.
  • If you are staying/shopping in Orchard Road, Far East Plaza (level 4 & 5) and Lucky Plaza (multiple levels) have relatively more affordable food options for the area..
  • There’s a myriad of other malls in the suburban areas outside of Orchard to be explored.
• Hawker centres: A “hawker” in Singapore refers to a street food vendor, and in Singapore they’ve been centralised into food centres to create an iconic Singapore dining institution. These places are generally not air-conditioned, but they are the most affordable dining option. If you see an item on a table even if it’s something innocuous like a tissue paper packet or name-card, it means the seat's been reserved (“chop-ed” in the local slang) by people who are off queuing for their food.
  • Look for stalls with the longest lines (the most popular stalls will have long queues all day long), but most stalls should have decent food.
  • Newton Hawker Centre (near Newton MRT station) and Lau Pa Sat (near Telok AyeDowntown/Raffles Place Stations) are probably the most well-known to tourists, but beware of touts and over-charging, especially at Newton.
  • Taking the MRT out to slightly less central areas like Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Kallang, etc. should bring you to other hawker centres that cater to locals.
• Order in: GrabFood and Foodpanda are the two most popular food delivery apps with extensive coverage all around Singapore. Deliveroo is also available. Just be prepared to pay upwards of $5 delivery fee during peak periods, and the listed online prices are usually higher than in-store. The apps also have pick-up available if you’d simply like to order in advance.
• The ethnic enclaves like Kampung Glam (Malay/Muslim), Chinatown and Little India have a higher concentration of the respective ethnic cuisines, but most places in Singapore have a good mix of different local and international cuisines

What to eat?

Breakfast (These are generally very affordable options that should cost you below $10 per person, particularly if you go to food courts/hawker centres)

• Tea/coffee with kaya toast and half-boiled eggs. Available at most hawker centres (usually at the drink stalls), and chains like Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Killiney Kopitiam in malls. Order tea/coffee like a local by referring to this guide.
• Among the fast-food chains, KFC offers the more local option of chicken porridge (congee)
• Roti prata, a south-Indian flatbread (also known as paratha in India, or roti canai in Malaysia), available at most hawker centres and Indian coffee-shops
• Nasi lemak, coconut milk-flavoured rice with a variety of side dishes (usual ones: omelette, fried chicken wing/fried fish, fried anchovies).
• Beehoon, rice vermicelli with a range of toppings like fish cake, luncheon meat (spam), chicken wings, veggies etc.
• Chai Tow Kway (“carrot cake” - it’s actually radish cake), Tau Huey (soya bean curd pudding) + Youtiao (chinese fried dough)
• Mee Rebus, a Malay noodle dish with thick & spicy potato-based gravy topped with hard-boiled egg, bean sprouts, fried shallots, tau kwa (fried beancurd) and spring onions

Lunch & dinner

• Chilli crab: I don’t have any personal recommendations, and it could be costly because the crabs are usually charged by weight, which may vary daily. The link gives a run-down of some popular places
• Hainanese chicken rice: Again, no personal recommendations, but you can find this in most foodcourts and hawker centres. You should be able to find one of these for $5 or less.
• Murtabak/Briyani: My favourite is ZamZam Restaurant (est, 1908) at North Bridge Road in the Muslim enclave of Kampung Glam, but there is a whole row of Singapore-Indian restaurants serving a similar menu there
• Everything under the sun :) Google maps & data coverage generally works well in most parts of Singapore, so search & explore! Some sites you can start at include Chope & Burpple.

Snacks

• A must try, it’s sold by any ice cream man you see roaming around with a popup like this
• We have a ton of bubble tea (boba) stores if you’re craving it, you’d probably find a bubble tea store or two within 20mins of walking anywhere. Koi/Gongcha/LiHo are quite standard options, and then there’s others like Playmade/Chichasansen with their own unique points. Here’s a list with 61 of them...
• There’re plenty of 7-11s and convenience stores around, as well as “mama shops” around public residential housing.

Getting Around

Singapore has a great public transport system. It’s really easy & cheap to get around on the MRT (mass rapid transit trains) and buses. Use Google Maps or the City Mapper app to navigate yourself and get route recommendations (the latter also has transport arrival timings and fare estimates. It also works in many cities globally, so is very useful for tourists). Various transport passes are available for tourists, but you can also use your contactless credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) to pay for the fares (no registration required).
In general, using the Circle Line (yellow) or Downtown Line (blue) should get you to most tourist attractions. Orchard Road (main shopping belt) can be accessed via the North South Line (red), between Orchard and Somerset MRT stations. Map for reference, with links to versions in Chinese/Malay/Tamil available for download.
Taxis and ride-hailing cars: We have Grab and Gojek in place of Uber.

• The largest local taxi fleet - the blue Comfort Cabs - also have their own ride-hailing app to compete, although they can also operate via the traditional meter & can be booked via phone call/flagged down as usual. Fares can be paid via cash post-ride or credit card for all these private car options.
• Ride-hailing tends to be very expensive. At peak periods, ride-hailing services could be even more expensive than taxis, but at least you know the price beforehand. All malls have a taxi stand where you can stand in queue and hop on the next available cab. Queues can be long at morning and evening peak periods, so avoid taking cabs then if you can.

General navigation
All signs are in English, and the locals - esp the younger generation - are able to speak English fluently. If you’re really lost, feel free to approach others to ask for help! People are generally friendly and helpful despite initial appearances :)
As a side note: in general, if Google Maps is asking you to circle around a building to get somewhere - don’t. You can cut through most places on the ground floor quite easily, even the residential buildings (unless they’re private properties like condominiums/landed housing). MRT stations are connected to a good number of places via sheltered corridors if they’re nearby enough. Enjoy the aircon & shade instead of walking outside in the heat if you can.

Shopping

• Orchard Road is our main shopping belt, running from Orchard to Somerset MRT stations. You can find many shopping malls there, with collections ranging from upmarket to fast fashion. Check out Design Orchard, a retail space for fashion and lifestyle items by Singapore designers.
• For an old-style emporium experience drop by Mustafa Centre. It used to be open 24 hours but this was disrupted by COVID19 and now it is only open until 2am (best place for late night shopping!). It's not a glitzy mall, but has crowded aisles chock full of all manners of things, including snacks and souvenirs (avoid going on Sundays when it gets super crowded with migrant workers on their day off).
• Already mentioned above are the ethnic enclaves Chinatown, Little India, Kampung Glam and Geylang Serai with smaller standalone shops. Special mention for Haji Lane in the Kampung Glam area, a small street with cute boutiques.
• The many, many other malls scattered across the country - a brief list. For example, Paya Lebar alone (just another station up from Dakota!) is connected to several malls like Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ), PLQ 2, PL Square, Singpost centre, and a couple more within a 5-mins’ walk (Tanjong Katong Complex, City Plaza, KINEX etc.).

Weathewhat to wear

The weather is especially hot these days (max temp of up to 35 degrees celsius, or 95 Fahrenheit), with possible spurts of heavy rain at certain times of day, so dress light and carry an umbrella (most places do have sheltered walkways between buildings and bus-stops/MRT stations though, so don’t worry too much about getting around in the rain). Mall air-conditioning can be cold, so hv another layer (e.g. cardigan/wrap/scarf) on hand. Remember to hydrate frequently & avoid staying outdoors for too long!

Airport

• Singapore Changi Airport is often voted by travellers as the best airport in the world, with lots of shopping, dining and leisure options in the various terminals. BTS (except Jin who took a different flight) stopped over at Changi Airport on the way to New Zealand for Bon Voyage 4 (airport lounge scenes shown in Episode 1)! While you may not have access to the business class lounge like them, there are various other options to rest and hangout, like the many gardens (some even accessible from the public areas) and even a free 24h cinema (Terminal 3 transit area).
• Jewel Changi Airport which is attached to Terminal 1 is an attraction in itself. It's worth arriving 2-3 hours earlier than your flight check-in time to grab a meal and have a look around Jewel. A particular highlight is to take the skytrain between Terminals 2 and 3, cutting across the centre of Jewel, to get a spectacular view of the indoor waterfall. There is also shopping aplenty (Tip: NTUC Fairprice supermarket in Jewel has a nice selection of food and non-food souvenirs which are pretty affordable).
• There are various transport options for getting to the city from the airport. Public transport like MRT is convenient if you are travelling light, else there is a shuttle service to selected downtown hotels. Taxis and ride-hire cars can be expensive, especially with the airport surcharge.
• Sort of related, Yoongi gave a shout out to our national airlines (Singapore Airlines) for its great seat and amenities in business class in BV4! (He said: let's always fly Singapore Airlines in the future!). The airlines must have taken notice, because they recently announced that they would be adding BTS content like songs, MVs, LY New York concert, and Break The Silence docu in their in-flight entertainment system to commemorate BTS' 10th anniversary. An ARMY also spotted a write-up abt BTS in their in-flight magazine.

We’ve tried to achieve a balance between being succinct and informative, but certainly the above info is not exhaustive. So do feel free to ask in the comments below if the info you need is not here! Fellow SG ARMY, or those familiar with Singapore, feel free to chime in!

Hey I Hope to be heading to basic soon and am looking for advise so I can get things ahead of time instead of running around last minute :)
Regarding packing list 1) sports bra: I read it is recommended to bring some that I would be comfortable sleeping in, just in case. Colors black,white or skin colored. But, I read or heard somewhere it can not have any logos? I can’t find the source of that anymore and wanted to confirm it is true? I’m obviously not looking for big logos, but UA or other brands have some with small logos, sometimes black or grey. Would that be an issue or should I look for brands that have absolutely nothing on them?
2) underwear I feel like boxer briefs would be good to prevent issues with underwear going to annoying places. Would I be authorized to bring black ones to wear?
3) hygiene products Am I allowed to bring any shampoo/bodywash/ deodorant (alcohol free obvs) or is there limits to it?
What else do you recommend to bring?
Thank you in advance

Greetings!
I hope everybody is doing well. This post has been long-due from my end. Let's get right into it.
Introduction
In life, there are challenges that test our mettle, push our limits, and demand unwavering dedication. Among such trials, there exists a realm that holds the power to shape destinies; the "Civil Services Examination" a fiercely demanding examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission that stands as a testament to resilience, intellect, and perseverance. This post delves into the domain of a truly arduous yet immensely fulfilling endeavor—the journey of UPSC CSE 2024.
Disclaimer
Under no pretense, I promise that following the advice mentioned in this post will guarantee selection. However, if you pay attention to these valuable insights it will make your journey far less daunting and more enjoyable.

Table of Content

1. Understanding UPSC CSE
2. Deciding to Pursue UPSC CSE
3. Exam Preparation Strategy
4. Preliminary Exam
5. Main Exam
6. Personality Test (Interview)
7. Developing Skills and Qualities
8. Additional Preparation Resources
9. Exam-Day Strategies and Tips
10. Post-Exam and Result Analysis
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
12. Conclusion

1. Understanding UPSC CSE & Role of Civil Servants

UPSC CSE is of significant importance in shaping governance and administration. It recruits capable candidates for administrative, police, and diplomatic roles, crucial for nation-building. Civil servants formulate and implement policies, manage resources, and ensure effective governance. They address social issues, uplift marginalized communities, improve public services, and strive for inclusive growth. They work with policymakers, addressing challenges like poverty, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainability. Civil services also include foreign services, fostering diplomacy and global cooperation. UPSC follows a rigorous, merit-based selection process, ensuring competent and ethical candidates. Civil servants are accountable, acting with transparency and integrity. It offers growth opportunities, diverse roles, training, and exposure, enhancing skills and leadership abilities.
You should check the official notification for:

• Eligibility criteria
• Services offered through UPSC CSE

2. Deciding to Pursue UPSC CSE

Deciding whether UPSC CSE is the right path for you requires careful consideration and self-reflection using C-A-R S-E-T.
Consider if you have a genuine desire to serve the nation, make a positive impact on society, and contribute to the betterment of the country through public service.
Assess your strengths, skills, and aptitudes. Consider if you possess the necessary qualities for civil services, such as analytical thinking, leadership abilities, effective communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work under pressure.
Reflect on whether you are willing to invest the time, effort, and dedication needed for extensive and rigorous preparation. Consider your study habits, ability to handle vast amounts of information, and commitment to continuous learning.
Seek Guidance and Advice Speak to current or former civil servants, mentors, or individuals who have attempted UPSC CSE; or are/were in service. Seek their guidance and insights into the challenges, rewards, and realities of a career in civil services. Their experiences can help you gain a deeper understanding of what to expect.
Evaluate Alternative Paths Consider if there are alternative career paths that align with your interests, skills, and aspirations. Explore other avenues that allow you to make a positive impact on society and contribute to public service. [Checkout my previous post for more details]
Trust Your Intuition Listen to your inner voice and trust your instincts. Consider your passion, enthusiasm, and dedication toward public service. If you genuinely feel drawn to the purpose and challenges associated with civil services, it may be an indication that UPSC CSE is the right path for you.

3. Exam Preparation Strategy

3.1 Creating a study plan and Timeline
Develop a realistic and organized study plan that covers all the subjects and topics within the given time frame. Allocate specific time slots for each subject, revision, and practice. Here is one sample you can take inspiration from:

Month	MonthSubject/Theme	Action
June 2023	Syllabus and Exam Pattern Analyse	Syllabus - Word by-word breakdown; Check out PYQs for both Prelims and Mains
July 2023	Polity/Economy	Cover the important chapters, Make Notes
August 2023	History/Art and Culture	Cover the important chapters, Make Notes
September 2023	Geography/Environment	Cover the important chapters, Make Notes
October 2023	The Optional	Based on your interest in the past 4 months decide optional and study the PYQs.
November 2023	The Optional	If you have to alter the subject this is the time. Else Continue to study.
December 2023	S&T, IR, Social Issues, CSAT	Consolidate Current Affairs of the last 6 months. CSAT prep begins here.
Jan 2024	Core Subjects, Answer Writing, Test Series	Revise Core Subjects and Practice Test Series and Write at least 1 answer daily from GSI-IV.
Feb 2024	Core Subjects, Answer Writing, Test Series, Optional Revision	Revise Core Subjects and Practice Test Series and Write at least 1 answer daily from GSI-IV. Revisit Optional once.
March 2024	Prelims	Revise keeping prelims in mind.
April 2024	Prelims	70:30 focus on Static: Current.
May 2024	Prelims, Exam *26 May 2024	Final Revision in 3 weeks.
June 2024	Essay + Ethics+Optional	Prepare pointers for Essay and Ethics, Revise Paper 1 optional.
July 2024	GSIII, GS1, GSII	Mains Answer writing
August 2024	GS I-IV, Optional	Mains Answer writing
September 2024	Mains Exam	Stay Healthy and Revise concepts from your one-pager notes.

3.2 Understanding the Syllabus and exam pattern
Check out the Points 4 and 5.
3.3 Recommended Books and study materials
Make use of NCERT textbooks for various subjects (especially for foundational knowledge). At least one standard book per subject we need. So here are some suggestions.
General Studies (Prelims and Mains):

1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
2. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
3. History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra (or)
4. Spectrum A Brief History of Modern India By Rajiv Ahir
5. India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
6. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong
7. General Studies Paper I Manual by Tata McGraw-Hill
8. General Studies Paper II Manual by MHE (McGraw-Hill Education)
9. The Wonder that was India by A.L. Basham
10. Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
11. Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains by Khuller
12. CSAT - Topic-wise Solved Papers by Disha Experts

Current Affairs and Newspapers:

1. The Hindu or The Indian Express (Newspapers) (Just one)
2. Yojana and Kurukshetra magazines
3. Monthly Compilation of Current Affairs.
4. Manorama Yearbook

Apart from books, regularly following reliable online platforms, UPSC preparation websites, and educational resources like PIB (Press Information Bureau), PRS (PRS Legislative Research), and the government's official websites can provide valuable insights and updates.
Optional Subjects:
[Moved to 8. Additional Preparation Resources]
3.4 Effective note-making techniques

1. Keep it concise: Focus on capturing the key points and essential information. Avoid lengthy sentences and unnecessary details. Use bullet points, headings, and subheadings to structure your notes and make them easy to scan and review.
2. Use abbreviations and symbols: Develop a set of abbreviations and symbols to represent commonly used words or phrases. This saves time and space while taking notes. For example, use arrows (→) for "leads to," abbreviations like "govt" for government, or "&" for "and."
3. Highlight and underline: Use highlighters or underline important keywords, phrases, or facts to draw attention to critical information. This makes it easier to quickly review and revise key points.
4. Draw diagrams and flowcharts: Visual representations like diagrams, flowcharts, or mind maps can help in understanding and retaining complex concepts. Use arrows, boxes, and connectors to illustrate relationships between different ideas or components.
5. Use colors and different fonts: Incorporate colors or different fonts to visually differentiate between headings, subheadings, and content. This makes your notes more visually appealing and aids in organization and quick reference.
6. Summarize and rephrase: Instead of copying content verbatim, try to summarize and rephrase information in your own words. This process enhances understanding and retention. Focus on capturing the essence of the content rather than every single detail.
7. Include examples and case studies: Supplement your notes with relevant examples, case studies, and illustrations. This helps in better comprehension and application of concepts during revision and while answering exam questions.
8. Create separate sections for different subjects/topics: Maintain separate notebooks or sections for each subject or topic. This helps in keeping your notes organized and easily accessible. It also allows you to review specific subjects independently.
9. Use headings and subheadings: Use clear headings and subheadings to categorize and structure your notes. This makes it easier to locate specific information and navigate through your notes during revision.
10. Regularly review and revise your notes: Set aside regular time for revisiting and updating your notes. Reviewing your notes frequently ensures that the information stays fresh in your memory and helps you identify areas that need further clarification or revision.

Remember, note-making is a personal process, and you should develop a system that works best for you. Experiment with different techniques (Cornell, Outlining, Mapping, Charting, Sentence), formats, and organization methods to find what suits your learning style and aids your comprehension and revision process.

4. Preliminary Exam

The Preliminary exam is the first stage of the selection process. It consists of two papers: General Studies Paper-I (GS Paper-I) and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT Paper-II). Here is an overview of the Prelims exam:
1. General Studies Paper-I (GS Paper-I):
Duration: 2 hours
Total marks: 200 marks
Number of questions: 100 questions
1/3rd Negative Marking
Nature of questions: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
Syllabus: a. History: Ancient, Medieval, Art and Culture, Modern History of India, Indian National Movement. (not world history) b. Geography: Indian Geography, Physical Geography, Economic Geography, Environmental Geography. c. Polity and Governance: Indian Polity, Constitution, Public Administration, Panchayati Raj, Rights Issues, and Governance. d. Economy: Indian Economy, Economic Development, Sustainable Development, Social Sector Initiatives, Poverty, Inclusion, and Demographics. e. Science and Technology: General Science, Space Technology, IT, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science. f. Environment and Ecology: Environmental Ecology, environmental Legislation, Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Conservation. g. Current Affairs: National and International Events, Government Schemes, Sports, Policies, etc.
Not including key important topics as that will put a bias on your initial preparation.
2. General Studies Paper-II (CSAT Paper-II):
Duration: 2 hours
Total marks: 200 marks
Number of questions: 80 questions
1/3rd Negative Marking
Nature of questions: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
Syllabus: The CSAT Paper-II focuses on testing the aptitude and analytical abilities of the candidates, including areas such as comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, and general mental ability.
It's important to note that the marks obtained in the Prelims exam are considered for qualifying purposes only. The score of the Prelims is not added to the final merit list. The objective of the Prelims is to shortlist candidates for the Main examination based on a predetermined cutoff.
How to prepare

1. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus of both GS Paper-I and Paper-II. Understand the weightage of each topic and the type of questions asked in the exam.
2. Go through PYQs to understand the trends, the difficulty level, and the areas that are frequently asked. This will give you insights into the exam pattern and help you identify important topics.
3. Develop a study plan that covers the entire syllabus, allocating sufficient time to each subject and topic. Make a timetable and stick to it, ensuring regular and consistent study hours.
4. Choose reliable and comprehensive study materials for each subject. Refer to textbooks, NCERT books, and other recommended resources.
   Importance of PYQs and Mock Tests (PYQs >> Mocks)
   

Solving mock tests and previous years' question papers allows you to evaluate your exam readiness. Mock tests and PYQs provide valuable insights into the exam pattern, structure, and types of questions asked in the UPSC CSE Prelims.
Mock tests help you assess your knowledge and skills. By analyzing your performance, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses in different subjects and topics. This helps you focus your preparation on areas that need improvement, optimizing your study plan.
By solving these papers, you become familiar with the format of the exam and gain confidence in tackling different question styles. It also helps in time management. It won't be an exaggeration if we say that PYQs can help you clear prelims with ease.

5. Main Examination

The Main examination consists of a written exam comprising nine papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature, and the remaining seven are considered for the ranking. Here is the structure and syllabus of the Main exam:

1. Paper-A: One of the Indian languages (qualifying in nature) This paper tests your proficiency in one of the scheduled languages mentioned in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. You need to choose one language from the given list.
2. Paper-B: English (qualifying in nature) This paper tests your understanding of English language and comprehension skills.
3. Essay (Paper-I): You are required to write two essays, each consisting of 1,000-1,200 words. The topics are given from a wide range of subjects and require analytical and critical thinking.
4. General Studies I (Paper-II): Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society.
5. General Studies II (Paper-III): Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
6. General Studies III (Paper-IV): Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
7. General Studies IV (Paper-V): Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
8. Optional Subject - Paper I (Paper-VI): You have to choose one optional subject from the list provided by UPSC. Each subject has two papers (Paper I and Paper II).
9. Optional Subject - Paper II (Paper-VII): The second paper of the chosen optional subject.

In order to adequately prepare for your studies, it is crucial to refer to the specific wording and content outlined in the syllabus. Let's take an example from the UPSC GS-1 syllabus, which includes the topic "Effects of globalization on Indian society." This particular aspect of the syllabus encompasses various dimensions such as the impact of globalization on women, children, older individuals, culture, and crime in India. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly prepare for this section by exploring all possible dimensions mentioned. To ensure you cover the required topics, it is advisable to keep a copy of the syllabus for reference.
Ethics broadly comprise two parts. Section A ( Theory) and Section B ( Case studies)
Section A of the General Studies IV (Paper-V) in the UPSC Main examination focuses on theoretical aspects related to fundamental values and concepts. It explores the meaning of various words such as integrity, ethics, morality, beliefs, and value systems.
An important subsection within Section A is "foundational values for civil services." This part delves into the core values expected from civil servants, including integrity, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards marginalized sections of society.
This section holds immense significance in the syllabus, not only for Section A and case studies but also for your future career as a civil servant. It is crucial to prepare this portion thoroughly as it forms the basis of your ethical conduct and professional responsibilities once you are selected for civil services.
Tips for essay writing and answer presentation

1. Understand the Question: Carefully read and understand the essay or question prompt. Identify the key themes, arguments, or perspectives that need to be addressed.
2. Plan and Structure: Devote some time to brainstorming and outlining your essay or answer. Create a clear and logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Outline the main points and arguments you want to include.
3. Introduction: Start with a compelling introduction that sets the context and provides a clear thesis statement or main argument. Engage the reader from the beginning and establish the purpose of your essay or answer.
4. Main Body: Present your arguments and ideas coherently in the main body. Each paragraph should focus on a specific point or sub-topic. Use logical transitions to connect your ideas and ensure a smooth flow of information.
5. Use Evidence and Examples: Support your arguments with relevant evidence, facts, and examples. This demonstrates your understanding of the topic and adds credibility to your essay or answer. Use real-life examples, case studies, and current affairs to strengthen your points.
6. Be Clear and Concise: Use clear and concise language to express your ideas. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complex terminology. Present your thoughts in a straightforward and understandable manner.
7. Balance Perspectives: While presenting arguments, consider multiple perspectives and provide a balanced view. Acknowledge counterarguments and address them effectively. This showcases your analytical thinking and ability to critically evaluate different viewpoints.
8. Time Management: Manage your time effectively during the exam. Allocate sufficient time to each question or essay and stick to the time limit. Prioritize answering the questions you are most confident about, but ensure that you answer all questions.
9. Language and Grammar: Pay attention to your language and grammar. Use proper punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Proofread your answers for any errors or typos before submitting.
10. Practice and Review: Practice writing essays and answering mock questions regularly. Review and analyze your answers to identify areas for improvement. Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or peers to enhance your writing skills.

Subject-wise preparation strategies for General Studies papers
It is essential to have a subject-wise approach to cover the vast syllabus effectively. Here are some subject-wise preparation strategies for the GS papers:
History

• Start by familiarizing yourself with the major periods, events, and personalities in Indian and world history.
• Focus on understanding the causes, consequences, and significance of important historical events.
• Make a timeline or chronology of events to aid in better retention and visualization.

Geography

• Study physical, human, and economic geography at the global, regional, and national levels.
• Understand the concepts of physical features, climate, vegetation, population, resources, and their impact on society and economy.
• Use maps, diagrams, and atlases to enhance your understanding of geographical phenomena.
• Stay updated with current events related to geography, such as environmental issues, climate change, and regional conflicts.

Polity and Governance

• Read the Indian Constitution thoroughly, focusing on fundamental rights, duties, and the structure of the government.
• Understand the working of various institutions like the President, Parliament, Judiciary, and the Election Commission.
• Keep track of recent developments in the field of politics, governance, and constitutional amendments.
• Study the basic principles of public administration and governance in India.

Economy

• Gain a conceptual understanding of the Indian economy, including the various sectors, economic policies, and challenges.
• Study topics like economic planning, budgeting, taxation, banking, and financial institutions.
• Keep track of current economic affairs, government schemes, and initiatives related to the economy.
• Refer to economic survey reports, budget documents, and standard textbooks to develop a strong foundation.

Science and Technology

• Cover the basic concepts of physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science.
• Focus on contemporary issues in science and technology, such as space exploration, biotechnology, information technology, and innovations.
• Stay updated with scientific advancements, breakthroughs, and their implications for society and the environment.
• Understand the ethical, social, and economic aspects of science and technology in the Indian context.

Environment and Ecology

• Study environmental concepts, ecological balance, biodiversity, climate change, and conservation strategies.
• Understand the impact of human activities on the environment and the need for sustainable development.
• Keep track of environmental policies, initiatives, and international agreements.
• Familiarize yourself with important national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves in India.

Current Affairs

• Stay updated with current affairs by reading newspapers, magazines, and reliable online sources.
• Focus on national and international events, government policies, reports, and developments related to various subjects.
• Make notes on important current affairs topics and their relevance to the GS papers.
• Analyze the impact of current affairs on society, governance, economy, and international relations.

Remember to practice answer writing, solve previous years' question papers, and take mock tests to assess your preparation and improve your answer presentation skills for each subject.
Optional subject selection and preparation
Some tips for selecting and preparing for an optional subject:

1. Interest and Aptitude: Choose a subject that genuinely interests you and aligns with your strengths and aptitude. Having a natural inclination towards the subject will make the preparation process more enjoyable and easier to grasp.
2. Syllabus and Availability of Study Material: Review the syllabus of each optional subject and assess the availability of relevant study materials, books, and resources. Opt for a subject with a well-defined syllabus and ample study materials to aid your preparation.
3. Previous Knowledge and Background: Consider your educational background and previous knowledge in a particular subject. If you have prior knowledge or academic expertise in a specific area, it can give you an advantage and make the learning process smoother.
4. Scoring Potential: Research and analyze the scoring potential of different optional subjects. Look at the past trends and the success rate of candidates in each subject. However, keep in mind that scoring in the optional subject is not the sole determinant of success in the exam.
5. Coaching and Guidance: Evaluate the availability of coaching institutes and guidance for your chosen optional subject. Coaching can provide structured guidance, study materials, and access to experienced faculty who can help you navigate the subject effectively.
6. Time and Effort: Assess the time and effort required for the preparation of each optional subject. Consider the overlap of the optional subject with the General Studies papers and choose a subject that allows you to manage your time and efforts effectively.
7. Consistency and Revision: Once you have selected an optional subject, maintain consistency in your preparation. Allocate dedicated time for studying the subject regularly. Revise the concepts, practice answer writing, and solve previous years' question papers to strengthen your understanding and retention.

6. Personality Test (Interview)

The Personality Test is the final hurdle in the selection process. After the Main examination results are announced, candidates who qualify for the interview stage receive a call letter with details about the interview date, time, and venue. Virtual Tour of Museum

1. Duration and Panel: The interview generally lasts around 30 minutes. A panel of experienced and knowledgeable members, including UPSC officials and subject matter experts, conducts the interview.
2. Evaluation Criteria: The interview assesses the candidate's personality traits, communication skills, critical thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, general awareness, and suitability for a career in civil services.
3. Topics Covered: The interview can cover a wide range of topics, including current affairs, national and international events, social issues, government policies, the candidate's background, hobbies, academic achievements, and optional subject knowledge.
4. Approach: The interview is not a knowledge test but an evaluation of the candidate's personality. Be confident, honest, and composed. Listen carefully to the questions and provide well-thought-out responses.
5. Preparation: To prepare for the interview, stay updated with current affairs and recent developments. Review your DAF (Detailed Application Form) thoroughly, as the panel may ask questions based on the information provided. Practice mock interviews and seek feedback from mentors or seniors.
6. Body Language and Communication: Pay attention to your body language, maintain eye contact, sit upright, and speak clearly and confidently. Use appropriate language and be respectful to the panel members.
7. Honesty and Integrity: Be truthful in your responses. If you are unsure about an answer, it is better to admit it rather than provide incorrect information. The panel values honesty and integrity.
8. Positive Attitude: Maintain a positive and optimistic attitude throughout the interview. Do not get flustered by challenging questions or interruptions. Stay composed and present your thoughts logically.
9. Post-Interview Analysis: After the interview, reflect on your performance. Identify areas where you can improve and learn from the experience. Stay positive and prepare for the next steps in the selection process.

Remember, the interview is an opportunity to showcase your personality, confidence, and suitability for civil services. Be well-prepared, stay calm, and present your best self during the interview.
More on DAF
Do not include unnecessary hobbies without realizing the consequences. As a result, You have to spend a lot of time preparing answers for irrelevant information, which could have potentially put you in trouble during the interview.
It is crucial to consult a senior or someone experienced before filling your DAF. More often than not, a significant portion of your interview is based on the information provided in the DAF. You will be asked numerous questions on specific aspects of your DAF that the panel found interesting.
Being honest is essential, but it is equally important to be smart. Include only those details that can be easily prepared from an interview point of view. Focus on adding things you are confident about and have thoroughly prepared. Not being able to answer something from your DAF can create a wrong impression.
If possible, consider filling out a rough DAF at the beginning of your UPSC preparation and then develop your hobbies and personality accordingly throughout the course of your preparation.
Even if something goes wrong during the interview, it is crucial to stay calm. Remember that everyone makes mistakes. Gather yourself, remain confident, and maintain a polite demeanor.

7. Developing Skills and Qualities

Read Newspapers: Develop a habit of reading newspapers daily. Focus on national, international, and regional news. Pay attention to editorials, opinion pieces, and articles related to governance, politics, economy, and social issues. You read the newspaper not only for knowledge but as a good habit building. Regularly visit government websites at the national, state, and local levels to stay updated on policy announcements, initiatives, reports, and official statements. Join study groups or discussion forums where aspirants and experts exchange knowledge and insights on current affairs. Engaging in meaningful discussions with fellow aspirants can enhance your understanding. Don't waste time listening to rants. Regularly practice answer writing on current affairs topics. This helps you develop a structured approach, improve your articulation skills, and reinforce your knowledge.
Improving writing and communication skills
Reading extensively exposes you to different writing styles, vocabulary, and ideas. Read a variety of materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, and online articles to improve your language skills and broaden your knowledge. Set aside time each day for writing practice. Start with short exercises like journaling, writing reflections, or summarizing articles. Gradually progress to longer pieces such as essays or opinion pieces. Focus on clarity, coherence, and grammar. Organize your thoughts before writing. Create an outline or mind map to establish a logical flow and structure for your writing. This helps convey your ideas effectively and ensures coherence in your written work. Develop your oral communication skills by seeking opportunities for public speaking. Join debate clubs, participate in group discussions, or deliver presentations. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and engaging with your audience effectively.
Effective time management

1. Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important and urgent tasks and prioritize them. Make a to-do list or use a planner to organize your tasks based on their importance and deadlines.
2. Set SMART Goals: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals for your study sessions. Breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks helps you stay focused and motivated.
3. Create a Study Schedule: Develop a study schedule that suits your preferences and aligns with your daily routine. Allocate specific time slots for different subjects, revision, and practice. Stick to the schedule as much as possible to maintain consistency.
4. Avoid Procrastination: Procrastination can lead to unnecessary stress and time pressure. Break tasks into smaller parts set deadlines, and practice self-discipline to avoid procrastinating. Start with the most challenging or important tasks to build momentum.
5. Minimize Distractions: Identify and minimize distractions during study hours. Turn off notifications on your phone or keep it away from your study area. Create a quiet and dedicated study space to help you concentrate better.
6. Use Productivity Techniques: Explore productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for a set time (e.g., 25 minutes) and take short breaks in between. This helps maintain focus and improves productivity.

Stress management techniques

1. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Engage in relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to calm your mind and reduce stress. Regular practice helps manage anxiety and promotes overall well-being.
2. Take Breaks: Give yourself regular breaks during study sessions. Short breaks can help refresh your mind, improve focus, and prevent burnout. Use these breaks to engage in activities you enjoy or to stretch and relax.
3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and exercise regularly. Taking care of your body and mind helps you manage stress better.
4. Seek Support: Reach out to friends, family, or fellow aspirants for support. Discuss your concerns, share your experiences, and seek advice when needed. Joining study groups or online communities can provide a support network.
5. Stay Positive and Motivated: Maintain a positive mindset and stay motivated throughout your preparation. Celebrate small victories, remind yourself of your goals, and focus on your progress. Surround yourself with positive influences and motivational resources.

8. Additional Preparation Resources

Pros of Coaching institutes

1. Structured Guidance: Coaching institutes provide a structured approach to preparation. They offer a well-defined curriculum, study materials, and a schedule that can help aspirants stay organized and focused.
2. Experienced Faculty: Coaching institutes often have experienced faculty members who are well-versed in the UPSC exam pattern and syllabus. They can provide valuable insights, tips, and strategies to tackle different subjects and stages of the exam.
3. Peer Learning and Competition: Joining a coaching institute allows you to interact with like-minded aspirants. Group discussions, mock tests, and peer interactions can create a competitive environment that motivates and challenges you to improve your performance.
4. Test Series and Mock Exams: Coaching institutes usually conduct regular test series and mock exams, which help in assessing your preparation level and identifying areas that need improvement. These simulated exams also provide a real exam-like experience and help you develop exam-taking skills.
5. Personalized Guidance and Doubt Clearing: Many coaching institutes offer personalized guidance and doubt-clearing sessions. You can seek clarification on difficult topics, get feedback on your performance, and receive guidance on exam strategy from expert mentors.

Cons of Coaching Institutes:

1. Cost: Joining a coaching institute can be expensive. Tuition fees, study materials, and other expenses can put a strain on your budget. It is essential to consider the financial aspect before enrolling in a coaching institute. These days online resources can be pretty useful. It requires more digging and some unethical means.
2. Time Constraints: Coaching classes have fixed schedules, and you may need to adjust your daily routine accordingly. This can be challenging for working professionals or individuals with other commitments.
3. Teaching Style and Compatibility: The teaching style of the faculty and the institute's approach may not always match your learning preferences. Some individuals may find it difficult to adapt to the teaching methods used in coaching institutes.
4. Dependency: Over-reliance on coaching institutes can sometimes hinder self-study and independent thinking. It is important to strike a balance between self-study and coaching institute guidance to develop a holistic understanding of the subjects.
5. Quality Variation: The quality of coaching institutes can vary. While some institutes have highly qualified and experienced faculty, others may not meet the same standards. It is crucial to research and choose reputable institutes with a proven track record.

Ultimately, the decision to join a coaching institute for UPSC CSE preparation depends on your individual learning style, financial capacity, and availability of time. It is possible to crack the exam without coaching, but if you believe that structured guidance, peer learning, and personalized support would benefit you, joining a coaching institute can be a viable option.
Here are some popular institutes:

1. Vajiram and Ravi is a reputed offline coaching institute that also offers online courses for UPSC CSE preparation. Their online platform provides video lectures, study materials, and test series.
2. IASbaba is an online platform that offers a range of free and paid courses for UPSC CSE preparation. It provides daily current affairs, study materials, test series, and guidance from experienced mentors.
3. ForumIAS is a popular online community for UPSC aspirants. It offers a platform for discussion, doubt-solving, and peer interaction. It also provides study materials, current affairs updates, and guidance from experts.
4. InsightsIAS is known for its comprehensive study materials, test series, and current affairs analysis. It provides free resources as well as paid courses for UPSC CSE preparation.
5. Vision IAS emphasizes current affairs preparation, considering its significance in the UPSC CSE. They provide monthly magazines, daily news analyses, and other resources to help aspirants stay updated on current events.

Popular Individual faculty for UPSC CSE preparation
Mr. Mrunal Patel [Economy]
Mr. Pratik Nayak [History]
Mr Siddharth Arora [Polity]
Mr Anudeep Durishetty [Essay]
Mr Praveen Kishore [sociology]
More on this later.
Self-Motivation and Discipline
Self-study requires self-motivation and discipline. It helps you cultivate these essential qualities, which are crucial for success in the exam. By setting goals, managing your time effectively, and staying focused, you develop a strong work ethic that prepares you for the challenges ahead. When you engage in self-study, you have the opportunity to dive deep into concepts and develop a thorough understanding. You can spend more time on complex topics, explore different resources, and seek clarification when needed. This promotes a strong foundation of knowledge and enhances your conceptual clarity. Regular self-evaluation allows you to assess your progress, identify areas of improvement, and fine-tune your study approach.

9. Exam-Day Strategies and Tips

Dos on the day of the exam

1. Get a good night's sleep
2. Eat a healthy breakfast
3. Arrive early at the exam center
4. Carry essential documents
5. Stay calm and positive
6. Read instructions carefully

Don'ts on the day of the exam:

1. Don't study new topics
2. Don't discuss the exam with others
3. Don't panic over difficult questions
4. Don't rush through the exam
5. Don't carry prohibited items
6. Don't compare yourself to others

Time management during the exam
Quickly skim through the entire question paper to get an overview of the questions and their difficulty level. This will help you prioritize and allocate time accordingly.
Divide the available time among different sections based on their weightage and your comfort level. Allocate more time to sections that carry more marks or where you are stronger.
Assign specific time limits to each question or set of questions based on their complexity and marks. This will help you stay on track and avoid spending too much time on a single question.
If you encounter a particularly difficult question or one that is taking up too much time, it's okay to skip it and come back to it later if you have time remaining. Focus on answering the questions you can handle efficiently first.
There are breaks scheduled during the exam, use them wisely. Take a quick mental and physical break, but avoid engaging in lengthy discussions or distractions that may consume precious time.
Dealing with exam anxiety and stress
One of the best ways to alleviate exam anxiety is to be well-prepared. Maintain a consistent study routine, cover the syllabus comprehensively, and revise thoroughly. Confidence in your preparation can significantly reduce anxiety. Break it down: Rather than getting overwhelmed by the entire syllabus, break it down into smaller, manageable portions. Create a study plan and set realistic goals for each study session. Focusing on one topic at a time can help reduce anxiety. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or listening to calming music can help you relax and reduce anxiety levels. Ensure you prioritize self-care. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in physical activity. A healthy body and mind can better handle stress and anxiety. Develop a study schedule that allows for regular breaks and leisure activities. Effective time management can help reduce the pressure of last-minute cramming and provide a better balance in your routine.

10. Post-Exam and Result Analysis

Preliminary Exam Result: After the UPSC CSE Preliminary Exam, the result is usually declared within a few weeks. The result is published on the official UPSC website. It includes a list of candidates who have qualified for the Main Exam based on the cutoff marks set by the UPSC.
Main Exam Result: Once the Main Exam is conducted, the result is declared after a few months. The result is published on the UPSC website and includes the roll numbers of candidates who have qualified for the next stage, which is the Interview or Personality Test.
Final Result: The final result is declared after the completion of the Interview/Personality Test. It includes the names and ranks of candidates who have successfully cleared all the stages of the exam. The final result is published on the UPSC website and may also be published in leading newspapers.
Merit List: The final result is based on the total marks obtained by candidates in the Main Exam and the Interview/Personality Test. A merit list is prepared based on the overall performance, and candidates are ranked accordingly. The allotment of services is done based on the candidate's rank and preference.
Analyzing performance and identifying areas for improvement
Start by reviewing your exam scores and marks obtained in each section. Identify the areas where you performed well and areas where you struggled or scored lower. This will give you an initial understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. Based on your analysis, create a study plan that addresses your weak areas while also reinforcing your strengths. Allocate more time and effort to topics or subjects that need improvement. Break down your study plan into smaller, achievable targets to ensure consistent progress.
Strategies for preparing for subsequent attempts
Analyze your strengths and weaknesses, and use this self-assessment as a foundation for your subsequent preparation. Based on your analysis, pinpoint the subjects, topics, or specific areas where you need improvement. It could be conceptual understanding, answer writing, time management, or current affairs. Prioritize these areas and develop a targeted strategy to enhance your knowledge and skills. Reinforce your foundational knowledge by revisiting the basic concepts and fundamentals of each subject. Assess your time management skills and identify areas where you can improve. Consult mentors, teachers, or successful candidates who can provide guidance and valuable insights. Take care of your physical and mental well-being.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is coaching necessary for UPSC CSE preparation? Coaching is not mandatory, but it can provide structured guidance, study materials, and mock tests. It can be helpful, especially for those who require additional support or prefer a classroom learning environment. However, self-study with the right resources and self-discipline can also lead to success.
What are the best books for UPSC CSE preparation? The choice of books may vary depending on the subject and individual preferences. Some popular books for UPSC CSE include NCERT textbooks, standard reference books by authors like Laxmikanth, M. Laxmikanth, Ramesh Singh, and Bipan Chandra, and newspapers like The Hindu for current affairs.
Can working professionals prepare for UPSC CSE? Yes, working professionals can prepare for UPSC CSE by managing their time effectively, creating a study plan, and dedicating focused hours to preparation. Utilize weekends, early mornings, and evenings for study. Balance work commitments with consistent preparation.

Clarifying misconceptions and providing guidance

Misconception: Only candidates from prestigious educational backgrounds can crack UPSC CSE. → UPSC CSE is open to candidates from diverse educational backgrounds. It is the knowledge, aptitude, and dedication that matter more than the educational institution. With the right strategy, study materials, and consistent effort, anyone can succeed in the exam.
Misconception: UPSC CSE can be cleared on the first attempt without much preparation. → UPSC CSE is a highly competitive exam that requires thorough preparation and dedication. While a few exceptional candidates may clear it on their first attempt, most aspirants require multiple attempts. Developing a long-term preparation strategy and consistent effort is key to success.
Misconception: Coaching institutes guarantee success in UPSC CSE. → Coaching institutes can provide guidance, study materials, and mock tests, but they do not guarantee success. Success in UPSC CSE depends on individual effort, self-study, and consistent practice. Many candidates have cleared the exam without formal coaching. It's important to choose the right resources and adopt a disciplined approach to self-study.
Misconception: Memorizing information is enough for UPSC CSE. → UPSC CSE tests conceptual understanding, analytical abilities, and application of knowledge. Mere memorization of facts and information is not enough. Focus on understanding concepts, connecting topics, and developing critical thinking skills. Practice answer writing and analyze previous years' question papers to enhance your application-based approach.
Misconception: Studying for long hours guarantees success. → Study hours alone do not determine success. Quality of study matters more than quantity. Focus on effective time management, breaking down topics into manageable chunks, and setting realistic goals. Take regular breaks, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and prioritize self-care to ensure sustained productivity.
Misconception: English proficiency is mandatory for UPSC CSE. → While UPSC CSE is conducted in English and Hindi, candidates do not need exceptional fluency in English. Basic proficiency in English is sufficient to understand and communicate effectively. Focus on improving language skills through reading, writing, and practicing answer writing.
Misconception: The optional subject is the key to success in UPSC CSE. → The optional subject plays a significant role in the Main Examination, but it is not the sole determinant of success. A well-rounded preparation, including General Studies papers, current affairs, and essay writing, is equally important. Choose the optional subject based on your interest, aptitude, and availability of study materials.
Misconception: UPSC CSE is all about hard work, and luck plays no role. → Hard work is essential for UPSC CSE, but luck can also play a role in certain aspects like question patterns, options in multiple-choice questions, etc. However, luck alone cannot guarantee success. Focus on consistent effort, smart preparation, and improving your skills and knowledge to maximize your chances of success.

12. Conclusion

We have covered a wide range of topics related to UPSC CSE preparation. We discussed the importance of this exam and its eligibility criteria, exam stages, and services offered. We explored various strategies for exam preparation, including recommended books, note-making techniques, and time management. We also delved into specific subjects, optional subject selection, and interview processes. Furthermore, we addressed common queries, clarified misconceptions, and provided guidance. Throughout the discussion, we emphasized the significance of self-study, self-evaluation, and continuous improvement. We highlighted the value of mock tests, previous years' question papers, and analyzing performance. Lastly, we discussed the importance of motivation, encouragement, and perseverance on this challenging yet rewarding journey. Remember, with dedication, strategic planning, and the right mindset, you can overcome obstacles and achieve success in UPSC CSE. Good luck!
Encouragement and motivation for sticklers
Some motivational movies centered around society and its betterment. You should watch it when you have time :)
Dead Poets Society, Remember the Titans, The Pursuit of Happyness, October Sky, Hidden Figures, A Beautiful Mind, Freedom Writers, The Blind Side, Gandhi, Invictus, Freedom Writers, The Help 2011, The Great Debaters, The Pursuit of Equality, Milk 2008, Selma, Norma Rae, Kaala 2018, Peranbu, Mahatma, Drishyam, Swades, Rang De Basanti and many more.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

My sister-in-law is visiting town from the Midwest. She is really itching to watch the Women’s Softball World Series, preferably at a queer bar or queer affirming space. Looks like Sports Bra is closed today. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Hey I Hope to be heading to basic soon and am looking for advise so I can get things ahead of time instead of running around last minute :)
Regarding packing list 1) sports bra: I read it is recommended to bring some that I would be comfortable sleeping in, just in case. Colors black,white or skin colored. But, I read or heard somewhere it can not have any logos? I can’t find the source of that anymore and wanted to confirm it is true? I’m obviously not looking for big logos, but UA or other brands have some with small logos, sometimes black or grey. Would that be an issue or should I look for brands that have absolutely nothing on them?
2) underwear I feel like boxer briefs would be good to prevent issues with underwear going to annoying places. Would I be authorized to bring black ones to wear?
3) hygiene products Am I allowed to bring any shampoo/bodywash/ deodorant (alcohol free obvs) or is there limits to it?
What else do you recommend to bring?
Thank you in advance

Loose Underbust: 37.5 Snug Underbust: 36.25 Tight Underbust: 35 Standing Bust: 44.5 Leaning Bust: 50 Lying Bust: 47 Units: inches 25yrs old. AFAB
I’m from the US. It was the same for US and UK sizing.
I wear a 36DD, but often the band is too tight or I get some boob spillage at the top. I’ve never really been super comfortable in bras so moving towards unlined ones in general.
My current favorite bra - no issues ever - is the Warners Blissful Benefits in a size large.
I have shallow breasts (I think - reading the guide as I write) and I have broad roots and they’re full on the bottom. There’s no real “breast shape” section on the “shape guide” on the forum but from googling it looks like a mix of pendulous and bell shape - nipples point down but pretty thin at the top. (Don’t like them tbh)
Just need help finding bras. I used to wear Victoria’s Secret as I grew up and I just haven’t gotten rid of any of those bras. I like push up bras cause of how insecure my boobs make me. But they all hurt so I almost never wear anything other than the Warners unless it’s a special occasion. Haven’t bought a new bra in years.
Edit - 38G/GG was my UK result. Brain fart.

I am 56 and have been secretly cross-dressing and battling my desire to be a girl since I was 5. After a recent clothing purge, I took a step back. I started researching more to understand the "why" behind my obsession to be a woman and decided I needed to be happy. More importantly, I need to find the strength to be happy without fearing what others might think.
My biggest fear has always been getting caught. So, I wrote a 5-page letter explaining how and why someone might have found a box of clothes. This alone was enlightening because I focused on sharing my feelings over the last 50 or so years. I saw in my writing that I have never been happy looking down at my body, being forced to do "man" things, and struggling with my role as a man.
In the last month, I have:

1. Went into Wal-Mart, Target, and Ross and purchased women's clothing (that fit). I have historically "snagged" a purchase or done so under the guise of it being for my wife and always ended up with too small clothes. The important thing is - NOTHING terrible happened. Security, ladies, no one made a comment. I just bought my clothes (my clothes!).
2. I can dress all day at my office if there are no client meetings. I have tucked, dressed, and spent most of each day this past month dressed. More importantly, it just feels right - this is not for a thrill.
3. I have only sat down to pee for the last three weeks.
4. When I created my Reddit handle - it just felt natural. I am sad at the end of the day when I have to put my female clothes away and say goodbye to Jennifer so I can hide in front of my family.
5. Next Monday I have lunch with a friend I have not seen in 6 years. She started in transition about 8 years ago, and I was there to support her. Other than this post, I have never shared my feelings with anyone, and I plan to do so with her.
6. Three things happened in just the last three days, and it is helping me understand the label "gender dysphoria" and more about what I have struggled with my entire life:
   1. Friday, I spent the entire day at my office wearing pink leggings and a purple sports bra (I have been doing a glutes/booty workout). I was relaxed the whole day, and everything felt right when I looked down.
   2. Friday, after my day at the office, I was among a group of parents at an after-school event. Talking about hobbies and other interests, a Dad referred to me as a "manly man" --- I recoiled with denial. His reference was in context to my knowledge of cars. The one thing I know in the last 50 years is that I am not manly. I am successful and have no fear of trying anything, but I was the kid that was bullied for being small and slightly and having no interest in sports and such. And, of course, I have always wanted to be the girl or woman in the room, not the boy or man.
   3. And finally, driving to run errands yesterday, I looked at my legs and was struck with disgust and angst about their hair. If I dress, I never look right from my perspective (looking down) because I look like a hairy leg dude wearing women's clothes. With determination, I came home and shaved them. I shaved everything (chest, stomach, legs), and then I went out to the pool where my girlfriend (of 6 yrs) was with her Mom. Her Mom loved it, and my GF was surprised. But, like buying clothes, the world did not end. But, for the FIRST TIME ever, I am looking down and seeing the body I know I should have (as long as I do not look in the mirror). Of course, "he" is still hanging out, but everything is put away this morning and looks how it should be.

I know wherever this goes will take work. But, for the first time, I am accepting who I really am and admitting there is nothing wrong with me other than my fear of what others will think.
I have enjoyed and appreciated the stories I have read here.