Reaching the top rung

With thousands of students competing for a place at their university of choice, it has certainly become inevitable that students need to devise unique ways to stand apart from the rest, without compromising on their academic performance.   

Here we look at some of the key things students should remember when thinking about university and college applications.  

The extra-curricular activities you choose should not just be something to add to your application, but it should be something that you enjoy doing or gain knowledge from.  

Instead of racing to be a better version of yourself that needs to fit into parameters set by universities, it is important to be the best version of yourself as defined by your uniqueness. 

You should start by identifying your interests and engaging in activities that will increase your knowledge and proficiency in your chosen area. Dance your heart out or play football till your body aches, or find that hidden talent by exploring a variety of activities. Do these activities for yourself and not to impress somebody else. When you are happy, you are on the track to inner peace and contentment, which is vital for a steady mental disposition, and in turn will help you in making even more academic progress. 

It is understandable that the pandemic has made life difficult for all of us, however, it did open a lot of doors which have provided opportunities to learn and evolve.  

There are many online courses that are easier to access – immerse yourself in one of those. Just remember not to just study for the sake of getting a certificate, but do so for gaining knowledge – after all knowledge is power. 

No matter what you do or don’t do, never allow your academic profile to suffer.

Ultimately, we decide to go to college to study and of course to improve our chances of employability in the future. Your academic results will continue to be key in gaining placement into the university and college programs of your choice.  

Make time to go for additional classes in order to boost those low performing areas. Invest your time and effort in improving yourself where you can. It will not only be beneficial for your academic records, but for your self-esteem and confidence. It will remind you that are capable of achieving beyond levels that you thought previously possible.  

Fully understand the program or field of study you want to follow in University or College.

Often students choose to pursue a subject area that they don’t fully understand or that they think they will like. Read all you can and get a strong understanding of the subject you think you want to pursue.  

Ask questions like – What kind of experience will I get? What kind of job will this lead to? What other specializations could this lead to?  

The other thing to do is to compare the same program across different universities and colleges. Comparison is key to understanding the differences between offerings. Read about the schools and universities and decide what suits you and your aspirations better. You can read about details of their programs and even topics that specific classes cover. This all will give you a better idea of what you can expect, and most importantly – is that something you see yourself doing in the future.  

Our team is always here to support you in making knowledgeable decisions about University and College.

At NIS, we want all of our students to gain acceptance into their university or college of choice. Our Academic Counseling team is available for face to face meetings, as well as through emails. We can help you set up your plan and give you directions, so you can focus on your progress and obtaining the results and experience you need to be successful in your application.   

My last piece of advice is to read.  

The power of reading is vastly underestimated by many and this is one of the biggest mistakes made by students in their race to get into top universities. A well-read student’s caliber and skill can easily be noticed and identified in the academic portfolio and so it is important that you make a habit of reading regularly in order to have your application stand out to universities and colleges.  

If Abraham Lincoln became president of the USA after studying under streetlights, you definitely have the ability to succeed with the incredible number of opportunities available to you. The world is your Oyster, and so seize them all. 

Shyamala Elango, Academic Counselor