Before you begin your preparation sit back and ask yourself if you really want to give this exam and if the end results of cracking this exam actually incite you enough.
Do not make unrealistic plans of completing one entire subject in a day or studying for 14 hours a day. Starting with such unrealistic plans will only demotivate you and take you away from actually continuing the preparation.
It is going to be a long journey before you actually give the final exam and get the results. Therefore aim for small goals and reward yourself for those small achievements.
Other than talking to family and friends, you can have a study group of fellow aspirants for group discussions. Though not everyone favors group discussions, they are a good way to learn your subjects fast and clear any doubts.
Wasting so much time on such unproductive activities not only distracts your mind from the exam but also the fancy videos or photos you see online makes you pity your own life and traps you into the loop of ‘how everyone is enjoying while you are sitting here studying’.
Only because you are busy in ESE or GATE preparation you cannot put your health at stake. You may not be able to join the gym or go running for long hours, but make sure that you are active and healthy. You can go for a walk in the evening, meditate in the morning or just do some home exercises for 15-30 mins every morning.
Skipping your sleep, not taking proper rest is not a good habit to have. While you expect your brain to work and cooperate with you during the preparation, make sure you do so too. Take proper sleep of 6-8 hrs, take proper breaks between your studies, and make sure to splash your eyes to keep them hydrated too.