Why Should I Apply to Scholarships?

Applying for scholarships is hard. It takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication. But it is a craft, like any other, that can be taught, learned, and mastered. The legend says that if you shout “THE DEBTLESS STUDENTS” three times at the full moon, you will increase your chances of winning your next application by 300%. Who knows? Maybe it’s worth a shot.

But why apply? If it is such a mountain to climb, why bother trying, knowing well that you might not reach the top? In this article, I will not provide so many answers. Rather, I will provide questions, which I hope can help you find your “why.”

Motivation and Discipline

Why do you need a “why” in your life? To answer this question, we must understand the difference between motivation and discipline. Motivation comes and goes; it is transient. You might wake up motivated in the morning, but this motivation can quickly fade away when you hit an obstacle. On the other hand, discipline is unwavering. Discipline provides the capacity to do things even if you don’t want to do them in the moment, and to do them consistently.

If you have followed our recent articles about habits, then you might have picked up on the idea that repeated habits are easier than big changes. Easier is the word, because changing our behavior sure isn’t easy in the end. To implement these habits and show consistency, you must rely on something other than motivation. This something else is discipline. Of course, it is easier said than done; the brain is an incredible tool to find excuses NOT to do the things we promised ourselves to do (chores, anyone?).

He Who Has a Why…

...Can bear with almost any how, said Nietzsche (a smart guy who once lived). In essence, what it means is that if you have a “why”, a greater purpose that underlies your actions, you will find more strength to face the adversities and obstacles that might get in your way. Recent times have shown us that having such a barrier against what life throws at us is extremely important. Your “why” is what keeps you going when everything around you is falling apart.

Being able to maintain that focus is an important skill that is valuable not only in your scholarships application, but for any venture you undertake.

Finding Your “Why”

As you are starting your scholarship journey, I suggest that you take the time to ask yourself the following questions. Really think it through, and take the time you need to answer them. The answers might not come quickly; it might be the result of a long thought process over several days. And sometimes, waiting a few days before coming back to the questions can help your unconscious work the problem without you even noticing, and you will find that you have gained clarity from actually not thinking about the problem.

1. What happens if you don’t win the scholarship money? How will life be different? What if you DO get the money?
2. What sets you apart from others in a way that would make you deserve a scholarship? Why are you worthy?
3. How much effort are you willing to put in without seeing results? Failure is part of the process, but how much can you handle?
4. Imagine the worst case scenario. Play it in your mind. Now, imagine the best case scenario. How are they different? Visualization is a powerful tool to use in order to gain an understanding of where we want to be in the future.
5. What are you willing to give up to apply for scholarships? The answer can be “nothing.” Just keep in mind that if you think of your day as a pie chart — you cannot add something without cutting somewhere else.
6. What do you want? What are your expectations? What do you hope to gain from the process?

This list is not exhaustive. You might come back in a few weeks and find that it has grown. Although this article was textually a shorter one, getting the most out of it will require some effort on your part. Take some time, let it sink in, and come back to answer to those questions!

Until next time,
Louis-Philippe