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19 Aug 2022
5 Min Read
Cheng Su Anne (Guest Contributor), Ailyn Low (Editor)
Eyeing for a particular scholarship award? We’ve got you covered with these lived and experienced tips.
Getting a scholarship from any institution is an exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime reward that a selected few lucky students get the opportunity to acquire in one’s pursuit for higher education. But, competition is tough! While many would like to receive an eye-catching scholarship as a testament for the hard work put in to receive it, many don’t end up getting one. Here’s my story.
Some of the most agonising waits include the ones where you’re waiting for a simple ‘yes’ that never seems to arrive. Well, I guess every once in a while lady luck would decide to smile upon me, because I finally received the rewarding confirmation! I remember the joy and disbelief I felt when I received an email on being awarded a scholarship.
Fast forward to the start of my Degree in Pharmacy journey, there was an award ceremony held for the scholarship recipients from various schools graced by honourable guests and industry representatives. Such leaders from the partner companies could very possibly be your future colleagues when you undergo your internship in the respective partner industries too!
Now, enough about me. I’m sure you’re interested to apply and would eagerly want to know what it takes to be a scholarship recipient yourself. Honestly, there’s simply too much to cover! However, here are my 3 general tips on how you can better prepare yourself for a potentially enriching adventure ahead!
It’s cliche mostly because it’s true. Prior to the interview processes, countless practices and revisions were made on my presentation pitch to prep myself for any daunting questions that might be darted my way.
Of course, no amount of practice can ever brace yourself for the real-life scenario but, similar to your practices for exams and competitions out there, some practice is always better than none.
It’s crucial to allow yourself to reflect and refine on gaps that you’d never have come across without your mock preparations.
Dreams are just dreams until you actually start chasing them, but you’ll also end up getting yourself lost if you completely stop dreaming as well.
Don’t limit yourself to what you believe you can or cannot achieve. If you’ve low confidence in a particular field or skill, a good place to start is always now rather than never.
To inspire yourself to take on a new venture or a fearful path, know this: even the grandest masters very often start as a beginner. And just because you’ve succeeded at something, doesn’t mean you just stop there. Being rewarded the title of a scholar, I vowed to never take this blessing for granted by upholding my status and proactively enhance my interpersonal skills while challenging myself to achieve personal and professional milestones whenever possible.
Let’s be real, life is a trial and error process.
We often hear about how successful people persevered through countless failures prior to their grand success. Take Thomas Edison’s lightbulb anecdote as a prime example. Personally, I’ve made it a point to make as many mistakes as I can as a student. Owing to the pattern of failures behind every success story, it almost seems as if no achievement is made without enduring failure as a prerequisite.
Being a student is the best time for you to truly discover yourself and your purpose during this temporary life span. Learn what works and what doesn’t, in as many aspects as you possibly can.
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” – Thomas A. Edison
So, final words from a Taylor’s scholar? I often go by the saying “If you never try, you never know” in most circumstances of my personal development in life. Don’t be afraid to shoot for the moon because even if you miss, you might just as well land amongst the bright trailblazing stars along the same horizon.
Life will humble you in many ways but here’s a final cliche reminder that I’d like to gently note upon any reader in need of this: Don’t give up on what truly matters to you.
