HOW TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS IN NIGERIA

WOW! Wow!! Wow!!! It’s so great to be a winner; so wonderful and exciting to win a scholarship! Isn’t it? Of course, it is; you then become a “big guy/girl”. I can understand that a lot of students do apply for and sit for scholarships exams very often and yet don’t get to be successful winning any. Well, take heart my dear, it does happen. Personally, I don’t really like the phrase “how to...” it sounds quite “scammalous” to me. I’d prefer the title “winning scholarships...” or doing this or that and not really how to do them. (Well, that’s by the way) In this column, I will be giving you useful tips and hints on how you can win the scholarships you apply for, to study here in Nigeria (and even abroad!). First of all, why do you need this scholarship? A lot of students, whose parents/guardians can comfortably and conveniently pay their fees, are some times the ones who apply for and win these scholarships. Many of them use the money for “flexing things”. I am not in any way against some students applying for them; for wise students, they use the grant for “investments”. Also, winning a scholarship is like a prayer answered for some indigent students for whom these scholarships, I suppose, were originally meant for.        

Now, let us get to work! I will be writing more from an individualistic viewpoint; by God’s grace, I am a scholarship recipient as well –Agbami 2012 Scholarship Award of #100,000 per session. How then did this happen? First of all, you must understand that information rules the world (and truly it does!). I could not have applied if I didn’t know that such a thing existed. Some students make the mistake of waiting for the information only from the radio, newspaper, television, peers, etc. Note this: good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who work for it! Numerous reputable companies in Nigeria usually make provisions of scholarship awards as part of their social responsibility. Your ability to get updates on time is very necessary. Don’t waste your time! You should rather subscribe to websites –such as Nairacareer, Scholarship Resource, myschoolcomm.com, etc- to receive latest updates and information on these scholarships, based on your requirements, STRAIGHT TO YOUR MAILBOX! This is not a cure-all actually; you still have to keep your ears to the ground (and your eyes on the net and notices). There are some “smart” guys around also who could help you find what you are looking for; it wouldn’t be outlandish to patronize them (at a little pay sometimes). Well, thanks that now such information is quite very accessible by many cause it spreads like WILDFIRE on campus.

When you have got the information you want, it is your duty to provide ALL necessary documents required of you by your host (both originals and photocopies) during the application, and keep them safe. Try to register much earlier before the deadline; I don’t really know why, but just try. By this time, you don’t need anyone to tell you that you must prepare real hard –READ! (i.e. if you are short-listed). What then should you read? Most scholarship exams are usually IQ questions, demanding to know your ability to reason and take decisions within a limited time. As a result, you need to add to your kit books on (especially) GMAT and GRE questions involving Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and even ABSTRACT Reasoning! Also, you have to be versatile; try to be current in the affairs of life for questions could as well come from current affairs.

Don’t overwork yourself! You are going for an exam, and so you need to be healthy. Eat good food, rest well the night before the exam, and feel confident and hopeful as you go out to write the exam. Make sure you have all required documents with you, be at the exam centre minutes before the exact time and never be afraid of those supervisors and machines (yes, most scholarship exams are written with computers). Do not also be carried away by the “confused” looks on fellow candidates. Be focused, as well as relate well with others after the exam to get more info regarding the results and updates.  Don’t play around! Skip those questions you consider are wacky and answer the ones familiar to you. If there is still time, go back and try to answer those you skipped. Remember to read the instructions carefully!

Finally, in fact, actually, you should not neglect the God-factor. To be frank with you, I never really prepared hard and yet I won! Grace differs. Commit everything that day in prayers to God (I don’t intend to sound religious, but that’s the truth!)

Now you get going and are on your way to making your dreams come true. Good luck!!!

(Thanks for all the comments in the last edition; by God’s grace, I am PLUS 1 today! Join me celebrate. God bless us all!)

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