Study Plan Format for Canadian Scholarship Application

When it comes to scholarship applications, there is no one mold size to fit into. Even if you pick out every scholarship ever accepted, each of the entries would have a distinct writing style, as a personalized approach, narrating relevant details of the author’s past, and present, as well as future aspirations. This would confuse you over what the main ingredient is – the use of fancy words or the number of wins added to it or is it about how long the application is? The answer to this is the ‘uniqueness’ of the application, which is the first thing to consider when you sit down to work on your application.

Making your scholarship application essay unique would give the chances of its approval a powerful boost. To do this, you should have the ability to build your style of writing, as well as the ability to craftily pen down your own personal and relevant experiences, such that the judges can read and feel the emotions, and the need behind your essay – making you a strong scholarship applicant. Your application should be a reflection of who you are as a person and should highlight your individuality, as this is what makes scholarship applications distinguishable.

What is a Study Plan?

A study plan is a necessary document mandatory for a scholarship application, which displays and outlines the applicant’s aspirations, future career objectives, educational aims, scheduled study periods, and strategies to put into practice and to achieve said objectives. Another critical aspect of the study plan is time allocation toward study goals. The plan also needs to have a thorough account of what the application wishes to achieve post-study, and an additional document referred to as a motivational letter. This letter separately gives details on what the applicant’s goals are when it comes to studying abroad. A well-thought-out study plan improves the chances of being granted a scholarship. However, not every scholarship asks for a Study Plan Essay, only a handful do.

How Does One Write a Study Plan for a Scholarship?

Below are a few pointers that would give you a head-start in writing a study plan for the scholarship:

• Start with writing your full name, and educational background.
• Include information regarding the previous degree.
• Include academic achievements.
• Write your personal opinion regarding the host country’s culture.
• Specify the reasoning behind choosing the particular country to study in.
• Include learning objectives, and expectations, as well as the pathway, to fulfill them.
• Add your skills and a conclusion paragraph.

Individualize Each Sitting of the Scholarship Study Plan

To apply individualize or the personal element, each study session must have its own set of learning objectives. This then consists of creating your timetable for both busy and quiet weeks, which helps in passing exams, and would keep you ahead of the game. An example of this is studying ahead of time during less stressful weeks, to prepare for hectic test weeks. This type of study session formatting teaches discipline.

Set Reachable Deadlines for Yourself

For a study regime to be practical, sleep and rest are essential. This is because continuously studying for hours could lead to stress buildup, as well as anxiety. Unrealistic study plans for the scholarship will create a buzz of excitement that will quickly turn to worry, thus, it should include brief breaks after a certain amount of study time, leading to an increase in productivity and mental well-being. A tip to divide time is to study for 20 to 30 minutes straight and then take 15 to 20 minutes as a break. Maintaining a cycle like that can help with keeping stress and anxiety at an endurable level.

Given below are some points that will pave your way toward a perfect study plan for a scholarship. 

How to Generate a Study Plan for a Scholarship?

Step no. 1: The Drive of Scholarship Study Plan

To help you pinpoint your drive, purpose or objective, think about the following questions:

1. Why are you drawn toward the host country’s culture?
2. Why have chosen this specific country to study in?
3. What is your study plan?
4. What is your opinion regarding the host country’s academic institutes, and expectations regarding studying in these institutes?

Your study plan should incorporate the answers to the above questions, along with other necessary information. However, precision is needed to ensure that the plan remains readable to the admissions board.

Step no 2: Utilize a Time Chart in the Study Plan for Scholarship

To record your daily study time, a time-tracker is a good option as part of your study plan. This is because it assists the applicant in determining the best and worst times to concentrate on studies. To develop an effective time management strategy, notes should be taken during everyday tasks to have a record. This time chart will work in tandem with your learning objectives to provide them all with a period in your study plan for a scholarship.

Step no. 3: Put Reminders and Schedule Everything 

Consult your time chart to mark the dates that are accessible for study on your calendar. Highlighting these essential dates on the calendar will help you remember them, and make them stand out in your agenda. More so, you’ll keep yourself away from the anxiety of forgetting something important! A calm mind is needed to work through the writing plan.

Step no. 4: Existing Study Areas should be Highlighted and Noted Down

A hectic week necessitates a change in the study schedule. Additional study hours must always be added to the menu for a whole week full of examinations to study enough to pass the tests. And studying a few pages or a chapter before class can help you have a less chaotic week. This way you’ll know where to look and how to go about it further.

Step no. 5: Staying Put to Study Plan Deadlines is Vital 

A study plan, or a time chart is only beneficial if you properly adhere to it. Skipping one deadline will typically cause a domino effect, resulting in even more skips in the future and pushing you away from your study strategy. A wrecked study plan will cause stress and also other forms of mental well-being deterioration. Thus, sticking to a timetable is essential to stay focused and tension-free.

What Else is There to Do?

Here’s are some more points that you should consider your Study Plan Writing Process:

The essay statement you are asked to answer back to should be re-read to pinpoint key themes. Take the example of the following essay statement: ‘Where I have shown ethical leadership or creativity, and how it has produced a difference in my community or at workplace’. Some of the themes identified in this statement are leadership and serving the community. This is how essay statements should be understood.

• Comprehend the Meaning behind the Key Themes in the Essay Statement.

Once significant themes are acknowledged, each of these needs to be understood clearly so that the written context of your essay includes what is being asked for. For example, if you consider the above-mentioned theme of leadership, it has many meanings to be understood: the effect of leadership, the actions required to carry out leadership, and the outcomes, instead of just explaining places where you took charge in a situation. The more in-depth study you conduct for each theme, the better your ability to pen down your essay will be.

• Your Scholarship should make use of the keywords used in the scholarship statement. 

Using the scholarship statement keywords in your essay will demonstrate your commitment to responding to what was asked, thus references to key themes are essential in the scholarship essay.

• The start of your essay should be intriguing.

If you’re having trouble starting your scholarship application essay, consider using a quote or phrase related to your desired course, which links to the main body of your content. This will demonstrate a broader understanding of your topic and will assist in convincing the judges that it is a good investment to support you in your chosen study path.

• Comprehend the scholarship committee’s evaluation criteria.

Based on personal experience, I have highlighted what I believe are the primary factors considered by scholarship committee judges, to judge scholarship application essays on the following themes: leadership, and Community Servicing. These factors should be addressed, whether explicitly asked, or not.

Considering Leadership, these are the areas to be discussed: 

• The breadth and depth of the leader’s experience and accomplishments. What were the outcomes? During your time, were you able to build bigger a society?
• Explain why you decided to participate in the leadership experience. What sparked your interest in the first place, and how did the experience make you feel? This helps you to express your sincerity and enthusiasm.
• What were your challenges, and how did you overcome them? Scholarship committee judges are particularly moved by inspiring stories of endurance in the face of hardship. Inclusion of challenges, and how they were handled demonstrates leadership skills, such as the capacity to adjust to new conditions and the will to persevere.
• What did you discover? How have these experiences shaped you as a leader? Every event provides fresh lessons and possibilities for personal growth, and the finest leaders are modest enough to recognize this. Speaking about these lessons demonstrates that you have sincerely pondered on your experiences and understood what it means to be a leader. In other words, you understand that leadership is more than a prestigious title, like ‘president’.
• What does this have to do with the future? A scholarship is more than just a monetary prize; it is an investment in your future. So, if you want to continue participating in your specific leadership activity in the future, inform the judges.

Considering Community Servicing, these are the areas to be discussed: 

• How much time did you spend on the community service activity? The scholarship committee is inclined to look for applicants who have made a significant and long-term commitment to a community activity.
• Why was it significant to you? Is there joy in helping others? Possibility of forming ties with others? Having a real motive aids in the construction of a captivating essay.
• What was its value to the community? Consider this: What would be different for your community if you didn’t do what you do? It is very vital to demonstrate that you are aware of the deep-rooted issues in your community, and are actively taking part in solving them.
• What did you gain from giving back to the community? It is critical to demonstrate that you comprehend how giving results in gaining more in the end. show how lessons through community service altered your frame of mind, and benefited you, as well as whether you would like to continue such activities in the future, or not.

Take Away

Our ultimate share of guidance for writing a scholarship application essay is to demonstrate that you understand who you are. Look into your significant previous and present experiences that illustrate your strengths, and ask yourself, where do you want to be in the future? Write down every thought you think you can use in your essay. Use wisely chosen words to underline your passion, drive, and excitement, and remember to maintain a positive attitude, and firmly believe in all that you have accomplished and want to accomplish in the future. You need to be your number one fan, or else why would someone else believe in you?

Wishing you luck!