We all experience disappointment in our lifetime. For some aspiring scholars, disappointment may arise when they did not manage to clinch the scholarship they’ve been vying for.

For those who’ve not been awarded scholarships, don’t be disheartened! Instead, employ these learning takeaways in your future endeavours:

Recognise That It’s Not Always Personal

The scholarship selection process is a rather stringent one. Scholarship providers typically have to sieve through a pool of candidates, and competition can be rather stiff when there are many promising talents in the running.

You may have performed relatively well at the Scholarship Assessment Centre and still not make the cut. Perhaps your peers outshone you, or you may not have been an ideal match for the organisation. Nevertheless, accept that certain setbacks are not tied to your talent and worth.

As Dalai Lama once said, “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” There will be numerous other opportunities for you to seize and achievements to unlock with your unique capabilities!

Identify What Success Means To You

Success is not a one-size-fits-all approach – everyone defines and measures it differently. While some draw satisfaction from achieving stellar grades, there are others who find joy in acquiring complex skills.

Not gaining a scholarship may feel like a major roadblock, but don’t let it deter you from pursuing goals that are closer to your heart.

If you are passionate about animals, you can always volunteer at animal shelters or join an animal-centric society in university. If you’d like to free your competitive spirit, join a student club of your interest and represent your school at national competitions!

Concentrate On The Process

From preparing essays to attending interviews, the pursuit to securing a scholarship can be challenging and nerve-racking. While it’s important to work towards a desirable outcome, you should also focus on how you get there.

When you only find fulfilment in the end product, every single moment leading up to it can seem like something you simply “endured”. Instead, learn and have fun while you’re en route to an important goal. Focus on the steps you’ve taken to improve yourself, and of course, try to make friends along the way!

Develop SMART Goals

Goal-setting is a key ingredient to success. Goals give you direction and focus, ensuring that you won’t lose sight of your purpose. While it’s good to set ambitious targets—like earning your first million by the age of 30—you can certainly start with small, tangible goals.

Keep your goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (SMART). For instance, if you aim to be more environmentally friendly, streamline your goal to include specific tasks, such as “deposit at least five plastic items into the recycling bin by the end of the week”.

Be sure to record your completed tasks and continue to build upon them. Soon, you’ll be able to see how much you’ve achieved!