5 Definite Ways to Secure a Scholarship

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5 Definite Ways to Secure a Scholarship

by Diviya (a Petronas scholar)

Imagine this:
“ Random person: Hey girl ah, finish SPM now doing what..?”
“You: Dunno la, see first. Never get any scholarship..’

And imagine this:
“Random person:   Hey girl ah, finish SPM now doing what..?”
“You: Oh, I got a scholarship from...to do....”

Okay now, which is better? The first scene or the second? I would say second. It’s always great and prestigious to say that you got a scholarship. If you have always feared interviews for a scholarship, then fear not. You have come to the perfect place. Keep reading, and you’ll know why.

Ladies and gentleman, here let me present to you, *drum rolls please*,

5 definite ways to secure a scholarship. (note that these ways have to start since high school, not just before a scholarship interview)

1. Be legendary!

Remember that you aren’t the only one applying for a scholarship. Thousands of students are too. Here’s your chance to show what you’ve got. Show off your talents and potentials. Collect as much certificates for participations in your high school year. Every scholarship agent wants to sponsor an all rounder student. It means nothing if you have 9A+ ++ but zero participations in other activities. Join as many activities as you can, be a leader (class monitor, prefect, president, secretary), join competitions (debate, drama, public speaking).  Try to join International or National Level activities. It gives you so much more credit!

2. Get good grades in your TRIAL examination

Most people take trial exams for granted. People, you must know that some scholarships require you to hand in your trial examination, eg: ASEAN Scholarship. It comes to no avail, if you have Straight A’s for you SPM but, very less A’s for your trial.

3. BE CONFIDENT!

Gain as much confidence as you can in your high school years. You wouldn’t want your scholarship interview to be the first time you have ever spoken in public. Try debating or public speaking. It helps you be super confident, smart, eloquent and fluent in English. On your scholarship interview day, DO NOT BE NERVOUS. Although sometimes being nervous is inevitable, you have to fake confidence. Don’t errr..err.. It shows how incompetent you are. Use proper English (it doesn’t matter if your English is not that good, you don't have to use bombastic words, idiomatic phrases. Just proper grammar) Don't laugh or smile too much in an interview.

4. DRESS FOR SUCCESS.

When going for an interview, always DRESS for success. Depending on which interview you are attending, you have to be dressed suitably. For example, I wore a blazer and slacks to my Petronas Interview but for my JPA Interview, I wore a baju kurung. First impressions does make a big deal.

5. PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW

You have to know about your sponsor (eg: Petronas, Bank Negara, Maybank, JPA) Just in case, they ask about their CEO or their Chairman, you have to know the answer. And make sure you read about the course you are applying for. They WILL ask you about your course. If you’re choosing chemical engineering, make sure you KNOW about it.  Most interviews have solo interviews, group interviews, IQ tests, Maths & Science tests. You have to be prepared. Read about it on the internet (most seniors write about their experiences online) Know the current issues. And develop fast thinking skills. Most likely your assessors will ask questions and you have to answer them quickly. Dont take way too long to think. You have to be fast and clear and loud.

Here you go people! 5 definite ways to secure a scholarship! Good luck and all the best to everyone who’s going to any interview! Hopefully you guys will get it! :D

Diviya (@heyheyitsdiv) is a 19 year old girl, with an extreme passion for oratory, writing and reading. She received the Petronas Scholarship for the May Intake 2014. She spent 11 years in a Convent school and comes from the town of Muar. She aims for precision and leadership and has a keen eye for socializing and meeting new people.

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How to Enter the Professional World after Studying Abroad

How to Enter the Professional World after Studying Abroad

Guest post by Jessica Barden (Share you education tips with 30,000+ Malaysian students)

Every student becomes nervous when we talk about their plans to enter the professional world for a secure career. This is because in order to live a peaceful professional life people need to develop professional skills. If you’re a final year student of a foreign study program and aiming to learn professional skills then you’re at the right spot. Have a look at the information shared below to successfully satisfy your potential employers with proficient skills.

Learn How to Work With a Team

In order to work in any workplace people need to develop the ability to work in a team. Nobody can work alone to fulfil the goals of an organisation. Therefore you will need to learn the best ways to deal with different people while achieving the common goal of an organization. If you want to meet all your workplace challenge successfully then you must work with a team. This is why employers today loves to hire individuals who can cooperate with others to accomplish business goals.

Develop Strong Communication Skills

It is important for people to have a strong command on verbal as well as written skills to communication with everyone in a well manner. Communication skills would not only assist you in writing a resume or cover letter but also allow you to communicate in the organisation every department appropriately. If you want to enhance the chances of getting hired then you must develop your communication skills to inspire your potential employer.

Use Computer & Internet

Nowadays more than 80% of offices are using computers to accomplish their workplace targets. If you want to be a part of 21st century modern workplace, then you must learn how to use computers to accomplish any task. According to a recent survey based report it is proved that people who have proficiency in computing easily get their first job. Thus ensure to learn computer from any friends or institution to impress your potential employer with information technology knowledge.

Stand Up To Meet Challenges

When a person enters in a professional world s/he needs to tackle a number of issues to be successful. Usually students face a number of issues in their academic semester so that they can accomplish workplace semesters successfully as well. If you love to encounter semester challenges easily then you can also accomplish your workplace goals successfully.

Increase Your Social Interaction

According to a recent survey outcome it is released that students who love to study alone, also enjoy working alone in an office. If you’re also ranked among individual who feel comfortable to work without speaking to anyone during large spans of time then you must increase your social interaction. This is because when you step in a professional world you have to work with a group of people to accomplish a specific target. Therefore enjoy occupying with others as much as possible to easily fit in large groups of professional people.

Add Information Absorption Skills

The second factor that you will need to consider to work with a peace of mind is the information absorption skills. This information absorption skill will allow you to absorb new information in a speedy manner. It is seen that people who have excellent information absorption skills always come up with the effective solutions easily and quickly without relying on others. If you want to be a part of a leading firm of your field, then you should improve your analytical skills.

Build Problem Solving Approach

Every person has different approaches to face different kind of challenges. Basically there are two types of problem solving approaches that are to think or feel. People who prefer to think rather than to feel always learn about the pros and cons of a decision from every possible angle before implementing it. While people who rely on their feeling, only consider how a decision will make them feel. Employers always promote employees who are better thinkers. So, if you’re aiming to work at the leading position then you have to think at 360 degrees before acting on anything.

Organise Yourself

Last but not the least, the way to organise every task is also an important factor to work in a professional world. It is not only the way we organize our work in a to-do list, but also the information we organised in our minds.  Our thought process plays a key role in how we work in a workplace. Whether you want to be a part of a popular firm, or you want to set up your own business, you will need to organise yourself completely to be successful person.

Don’t just read the information shared in the above passage instead shares it with your friends to raise their knowledge as well.

Jessica Barden is a proficient writer and content manager of a renowned academic cancelling firm. Currently, she is facilitating students who say her to write my essay at Writing Bunch to grow their career in the right direction with professional guidance.

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