A lot of us have grown up with a dream of studying abroad. A lot of people believe it is an essential key to success. While that is not certain, the fact remains that thousands of Nigerians apply abroad each year and they need guidance and help.
Several companies offer these services for exorbitant fees and yet don't do the best for their clients. But here on this platform, i will try to the best of my ability to give advice on how this process can be undertaken with successful results.
You may ask: What makes you a good resource on this, but I will save that story for another blogpost.
For now, I will give you the starting tips for this process.
1. Have a Plan B: I know, this is not a very encouraging way to start giving out tips, but it is essential. By all means have faith but also be smart and understand that one, this might not currently be your destiny and life can chart a different course for you so you have to be able to have a back-up institution to attend in your home country.
2. Start early: It's summer now and if you are heading to SS3 next term, it's time to begin your search for schools that you would like to attend. Then get all your results ready from your school counselor and your letters of recommendation from your teachers. When Common App opens up in August, you should have an idea of what your application essay should look like and also be ready to write a few more for specific schools and scholarships.
On the other hand,if you're in any other class below SS3 or whatever your final year of high school is called in your school system, get involved in things you love, help out the community and do your best at academic work. Gain skills and build yourself to be the best version of you, not a college's ideal student so you still have a personality after getting in.
3. Know where you stand financially: Yes scholarships abound, but be smart and choose schools that you might possibly afford if a scholarship doesn't come through. If your situation is tough, then be proactive and download scholarship search apps, subscribe to emails about them and check the websites of the schools you're applying to for one. And don't think of any scholarship as too small. 10 $500 scholarships won on a website like Niche.com gives you $5000 which might be all you need to balance up your payments.
4. Have a life: Have other goals that you want to achieve. Don't get too hung up on this. it is an important aspect but it is one aspect of the multi-faceted person you are. Work on your whole persona.
More tips coming soon along with my story. Watch out.
-Terri Nwanma
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