get a scholarship

How I did it: I have gained a progression scholarship that will stretch over 2 years (worth £6000 - which covers my tuition fees) provided I maintain high grades.

Firstly I kept quiet about this goal. The only people who knew about it were people very close to me (and you wonderful 43things strangers!) and not on my course. I didn't want to carry the public persona of someone working towards a scholarship because I felt it would invoke jealousy and competition. I wanted to be part of a group and not differentiate or isolate myself.

Circumstances may be different for you. The pressure of having to save face might even inspire you or you may be surrounded by lovely supportive people.

In terms of studying: I have learnt much on my journey ;)

1. Understand what course leaders want from you. I followed my lecture notes closely and read chapters, wrote notes relating to these.

2. Get your hands on past papers. The same or very similar questions may come up year after year. Prepare to answer these.

3. When writing essays, understand that there is a basic structure of 'introduction' 'main body' and 'conclusion' to be upheld.

I study psychology.. after one year of it the magic formula seems to be:
<> 'Introduction' - of main theories
<> 'Main Body' - start with least relevant/oldest theory, provide evidence for it, critique it, repeat for other theories =>
<> 'Conclusion' - Grouped critique of least relevant theories and an amalgation of most relevant theories with a great deal of evidence.

In terms of helping other people on your course:
'Helping' is different from 'doing their work for them'.
Writing essays and reports and gaining good grades for them requires innovative ideas, if you let anyone else use your ideas or if you take another person's ideas (please don't.. seriously.. it's lame) that is plagiarism. Don't risk your chance of gaining a scholarship. If someone asks you if you've done a piece of work and can they look over it tell him/her that you haven't done it yet OR state that you don't want to be done for plagiarism. If you can help a person by pointing him/her in the right direction that's cool, but copying work isn't. Receive help and get help, but never steal ideas.

When working towards a scholarship, face the fact that your social life will take a kicking. I'm not a crazy party animal type anyway, so I didn't really care - but sort out your priorities so that working for a scholarship comes pretty close to the top.

It helped me to think of my studies as 'job'. Whilst others on my course had part-time jobs and bought Ipods and new phones and a stylish persona, my focus was always my studies. Study in order to earn your scholarship and it will inspire you to achieve your career goals. The material things your friends have are short term distractions, studying will bring you more.

Best of luck

Sep 23, 06:09AM PDT | 1 comment | 5 cheers