I often see people asking for very vague and general questions, I have done XYZ graduation and looking for MS/Ph.D. in such and such from ABC Country, etc. or how to apply for ABC scholarship and so on. I share some smart internet-based tools to make the best use of such resources and HELP YOUR OWNSELF because only when you will help yourself, others will step up to guide and support you to take you above the line. No one has enough time and probably not enough resources to call/message/comment to all such people and guide them from scratch to 100%. I have done this though sometimes but it is a very inefficient way of learning and improving your lives. Without being internet smart and thus having adequate knowledge of how to go about scholarships etc. things you will struggle at many stages in the future where no one will be able to help you. Filing applications, finding the best universities and scholarships, getting to know about interviewers, etc. Once I was inboxed by a potential applicant who didn’t even know how to use Facebook basics, moderate use is good but at least learn the needs of the time. Modern-day demands complete professionals who are not only well-versed in their respective fields but are also adequately good in other important overlapping areas of knowledge, which also includes being smart with internet use.

TIPS:

Here are few such smart tools and tips:

1. Using Facebook groups and pages effectively, learn how to search for keywords in groups from the SEARCH BAR. It can save you from a lot of trouble, you can search for files, previous similar queries and even the kind of people who may be able to help you.

2. Use Facebook to search for people such as interviewers for different scholarships and other people who may help you with your queries, use GENERAL SEARCH BAR and type terms such as “SOHAIB ERASMUS MASTER” and you will get some relevant results. If you want to ask about groups, type “FULBRIGHT PAKISTAN” or “ERASMUS PAKISTAN” etc. and you will get similar pages and groups and maybe some profiles with good posts and files.

3. Hard but useful, scroll through files section of various relevant groups, even some of them will be old but may help you in getting some clues as to how to proceed or what to ask from relevant people that you may have missed altogether without reading them. Some new confusions can lead to new questions to ask.

4. Use Quora website a lot, just type on google questions like, “BEST HR program in the US” or “HOW PEOPLE SCORE  310 or 340 IN GRE” and add word “QUORA” after that, it has a huge collection of very effective questions and answers. Even some partially relevant and old answers can provide you with links where you may find new answers

5. Use LINKEDIN to good effect, find profiles of interviewers and maybe professors, etc., read what they have done and are doing to smartly manage your interview questions and to get an idea about what they care for more.

6. Use GOOGLE search effectively, search for whatever from scratch you are starting, such as rather than asking I am new to group guide me about MS from Australia, better to first work on GOOGLE, type best XYZ programs in AUSTRALIA, best ranking websites for AUSTRALIA, MS FINANCE scholarships AUSTRALIA and thousands of such questions have already been asked. Read at least 5-10 relevant links before you get some idea and then slowly move to specific questions.

7. Look for rankings in QS WORLD RANKING WEBSITE and for the US only use US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT and also google for more such sources.

8. Asking about GRE/IELTS/TOEFL there are millions of things, so get to Quora, etc., watch some good YOUTUBE videos to get to know about basics and narrow down your search. Read the official sites of academic degree program/tests first carefully and completely before jumping onto material and preparations. I know many people who have scored low on GRE etc. and they don’t even know how AWA scored, what is exactly meant by MEDIUM difficulty section, so if you have casual attitude there is no chance to win big.

9. Always sharpen the axe before cutting the tree, get the basics done, attention to detail is the hallmark of super successful people, I always extract all information before getting to attempt something, so whatever I have done or I am doing you can ask any and every question.

10. How many of you know why we use the CHARTERED word in CA? “Honors” in BS degrees, why is Ph.D. called being doctor of philosophy? Why there is no BBA degree in the USA? Why prestigious MBAs are often paid more than PhDs normally? Why there are easy questions on the HARD section of GRE? Why are rankings not the exact indicator of the worth of degrees often? What to look for before joining a country merely for the scholarship? What factors to look for while selecting a field of major? What is the exact difference between academic and professional degrees? THINK and up next be internet wise. Many smart people fail not because they lack knowledge and skills but because they lack the key factor, called attitude and the ability to use talent to good effect.

Muhammad Sohaib Niazi (Erasmus+ MS Scholar)