Four Lectures, Two Mistakes, and a Different Kind of Prioritisation

September is finally coming to an end.

And with it, the relatively flexible phase of my GATE CSE 2027 preparation is also coming to an end. From 1 October, I have planned a much more rigid schedule, with one major target: completing the remaining syllabus by 31 October.

But before entering that so-called winter arc or monk mode, I had to wrap up September properly.

Day 17 was not exactly a perfectly executed study day, but it had its own little story.

Computer Networks: Almost There

The primary academic target was to finish Computer Networks.

I managed to complete four lectures during my commute. However, I still had seven lectures remaining at the beginning of the day, and I eventually decided to postpone three of them.

Those three lectures were mostly theory-oriented, covering the OSI Model and Application Layer protocols.

My reasoning was that I could cover these portions while preparing my Computer Networks notes.

So, I decided not to spend the remaining energy forcing myself through those lectures.

Technically, I consider Computer Networks completed for now, with those theoretical portions still requiring proper coverage through notes.

It is not exactly the cleanest way to finish a subject, but the important thing is that I know what remains to be done.

The Boyfriend Duty

There was another reason why my evening schedule got delayed.

My girlfriend asked me to meet her because she was going through a difficult time with her period.

And well, sometimes GATE preparation has to share the calendar with actual human relationships. Apparently, the world refuses to operate according to my study timetable.

So instead of returning home directly, I went to meet her, and we spent some time together.

I eventually got late.

Before reaching home, I also had to visit the chakki to collect the atta made from the wheat I had given there the previous day.

After that, I finally reached home, where my mother had prepared food and rotis.

By the time I finished dinner, I was feeling quite restless.

And those three remaining Computer Networks lectures were still waiting for me.

Digital Logic: Keeping the Question Ritual Alive

Even though I decided to skip the remaining lectures, I didn't want to end the day without doing any question practice.

So I picked up a Digital Logic DPP and solved ten questions.

The result was:

• Attempted: 10
• Correct: 8
• Incorrect: 2
• Accuracy: 80%

One mistake happened because I had forgotten a concept and lacked the required clarity.

The other was a silly mistake.

Nothing particularly extraordinary, but it reminded me that revision and careful question-solving both need attention.

The interesting part was that I still managed to maintain my mixed-question practice routine despite the changes in my original plan.

Why I Didn't Regret Skipping the Lectures

I know that postponing three lectures might sound like another instance of procrastination.

But honestly, I didn't see it that way.

I wasn't abandoning those topics. I was postponing them because I had another plan for covering them through my Computer Networks notes.

There was also something else on my mind.

October was beginning the next day, and I wanted to start it with TOC revision.

I had previously left TOC midway, and before moving further into the subject, I wanted to revise what I had already studied.

With the 31 October syllabus deadline approaching, I needed to organise my priorities instead of blindly trying to complete every pending task on the same evening.

I was comfortable with that decision.

Of course, the pending theory topics still need to be completed. Postponing something does not magically make it disappear, despite what my brain occasionally hopes.

Tomorrow: The October Phase Begins

September was about restarting preparation, building momentum, completing chapters, and establishing a question-practice routine.

October is different.

The plan is to complete the remaining GATE CSE syllabus by 31 October, leaving November and the following months for revision, GATE PYQs, mock tests, and detailed analysis.

My first task for October is TOC revision.

I want to start from where I previously stopped, refresh the concepts, and then continue with the remaining topics.

Day 17 wasn't a spectacular academic achievement.

I completed four lectures, postponed three theory lectures, solved ten Digital Logic questions, met my girlfriend, collected atta from the chakki, and had dinner prepared by my mother.

A fairly ordinary day, honestly.

But it was also the last day of September, and I was ready to begin the next phase of my GATE CSE 2027 preparation.

September: Wrapped up.

October: Time to execute.