Early in our careers, we often feel the need to say yes. Yes to extra hours. Yes to optional meetings. Yes to organizing surprise birthday parties for colleagues we’ve never met.

The list goes on.

And while those yesses can help ourselves and those around us, sometimes they can be a hindrance to our wider careers. So when we’re asked to complete tasks that feel are unmanageable, unsuitable or inappropriate, we need to know how to say no.

But in a culture of ‘yes first, questions later’, this is easier said than done. Here’s when, why and how to say no in the workplace. 

Why we say yes

According to a 2015 LinkedIn study, nearly 60 percent of millennials feel the need to say yes without a second thought. But why? Here are a few reasons.

Fear of turning down responsibility

We’re always looking to prove ourselves, especially when starting a new job. And refusing responsibility can feel like a backwards step.

Fear of disappointing others 

So much of the modern workplace relies on great teamwork. And we all want to feel valued and respected by our colleagues. Saying no can feel like a violation of team principles.

Established hierarchy  

It’s a long standing and much maligned feature of the workplace. Hierarchy. So ingrained is it into our psychology that we have an innate need to say yes to those higher up than us.

When to say no

Here’s the thing.

For the most part, saying yes demonstrates positivity and a willingness to engage but there are some occasions when it’s fine to say no.

If it conflicts with your values and beliefs

No task should force you to compromise your values and beliefs. Remember, if someone doesn’t respect your values, they don’t respect you.

If you’re not right for a role or responsibility

While our careers grow by challenging ourselves, there are some roles that are just too unsuitable. If it feels logistically or technically impossible for your skillset, there’s nothing wrong with turning it down.

If the task or the company might suffer

We all want to perform every task to the best of our ability. So if you feel a task will suffer as a result of your hectic schedule, saying ‘no’ can demonstrate good time management skills.

How to say no

Saying no may sound easy but in practice, it’s a lot harder. Here are a few tips to bear in mind.

Be polite

Though you’re saying no, it’s important to thank them for offering you the opportunity.

Be diplomatic

Calmly state your reasons for saying no or ask which other tasks you can put to one side to make way for this one. 

Offer an alternative

Simply saying no without offering a solution is unprofessional. So always be prepared to present an alternative option.

Why say no?

Research from the University of California suggests that struggling to say no can make us more prone to burnout, stress and even depression.

And finding a few choice moments to practice rejection demonstrates restraint, independent thinking and can paint you as a more rounded employee.

So while we’re told that saying yes will accelerate our careers, actually, the opposite may be true.

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Tasmania is Australia’s greatest kept secret, with beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise waters, stunning nature walks, a variety of flora and fauna, and overall some of the greatest views in the country. This state also has the cleanest air in the world, and who doesn’t enjoy breathing clean air?

The island state is quite a quiet spot to visit, with it being detached from the rest of the country and often forgotten about—but don’t be making that mistake. Tasmania is such a unique and beautiful place to visit that will surely have you with a full camera roll at the end of your trip. 

1. The cultural capital of Hobart

Your first stop in Tasmania has got to be the cultural hub of Hobart, with amazing views and so many corners of the city to enjoy. With a ton of art galleries to explore and some of the best coffee in Australia, I’m sure you’ll be happy hanging out here for a couple of days. 

Read about how to spend 72 hours in Hobart.

2. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park

One of the most famous views in Tasmania (and for good reason), Wineglass Bay offers some of the most amazing views and is meant to be one of the world’s finest white sand beaches. The view is spectacular from the top of Mt. Amos, and you can even take a scenic flight over the bay for an unforgettable experience. 

3. Port Arthur Historical Prison

Port Arthur is one of Tasmania’s most popular attractions, as a former prison whose remains can now be visited. It’s a truly unique experience to walk through this historical site and learn about the history of the building, which dates back to 1833.

4. Lavender Fields, Bridestowe Estate

The best time to visit the Lavender Fields is at the beginning of February, when the lavender is in full bloom and radiating with color. It’s extremely cool to see the contrast of the purple with the landscape of greenery in the background, and of course a great photo-op.

5. Bingalong Bay, St. Helens

Bingalong Bay is one of the most amazing beaches on the island without a million flocks of tourists, and is easily accessible for every traveler. So if you’re in for a day of relaxation without any distractions, this is the spot for you.

6. The Hazards Beach, Freycinet National Park

Ugh, not another beach. Sorry to say, but another gorgeous beach to add to the itinerary is the spectacular Hazards beach, a remote spot with mountain views in the distance. It’s one of the best spots in the country to catch the sunset, or to stay for the entire day!

7. Bruny Island

If the rest of Tasmania didn’t offer enough coastal views for you, Bruny Island surely will. Separated from the mainland, the island offers amazing beaches, surfing, an historic lighthouse, wineries, as well as the famous Natural Rock Arch that you can walk underneath.

8. Cradle Mountain National Park

This is an iconic Tasmanian destination, and it’s easy to see why. The area is rich in vegetation, crystal clear lakes, and of course, spectacular mountain views. There is a seven-hour hiking route for the more experienced climber, as well as a viewpoint from the foothills for those just wanting to sit back and enjoy the views.

9. Little Blue Lake

I’m pretty confident the water in this lake is actually Kool-Aid. The strikingly blue color of this lake is what makes it so popular amoung visitors, and it’s almost blinding with its brightness. Swimming here isn’t recommended, but it’s a great starting point for the hike up to Mt Cameron, as well as Mt William National Park close by.

10. Russell Falls

Concluding our look at the 10 must-see sights in Tasmania is the breath-taking Russell Falls, one of Tasmania’s most treasured and photographed places. The falls can be reached by an east track and will surely delight everyone who visits.

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2019 has gracefully entered our doors, which also means that we’re not too far from the 2019 release of the QS Best Student Cities. As we recover from the dreaded Christmas withdrawal symptoms and slowly warm up to the new year, we take a look back at 2018’s best student cities – and a look back it is indeed.

Since the ranking boasts a global diversity that includes cities from Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia, history enthusiasts and curious university applicants alike might be thrilled to discover the many surprising historical facts that lurk throughout these popular student cities.

Read on to find out more…

10. When the first king of the Joseon dynasty relocated the capital from Kaesong to Hanyang (modern-day Seoul), he moved his entire court (including several palaces and a great big wall) to the new capital

Ranked as the 10^th best student city in 2018, South Korea’s capital Seoul combines a noisy and exciting metropolitan life with world-class academia, harboring a total of 18 internationally ranked universities.

Seoul has a long and wide history which can be traced all the way back to 18 B.C., when it was founded by the Baekje – one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Korea witnessed many invasions and settlements over the course of its existence. One that would change the course of much of the country’s history is the Joseon dynasty, which came to power in 1392 when military general Yi Song-gye overthrew the Koryo king and ended more than four centuries of an already-weakened dynasty. Two years later, in 1394, the new king made his move to establish a new capital for the kingdom; he moved it from Kaesong to modern-day Seoul (called Hanyang at the time), moving his entire court along with it – which included shrines, palaces, hundreds of thousands of workers, and a heavily fortified wall! Wow, talk about a literal move.  

9. The world’s first pacemaker was invented in Sydney

As the ninth best student city in 2018, sunny Sydney in Australia is home to several internationally-ranked universities, including the third-highest ranked in the country, the University of Sydney (42^nd). As a well-loved cultural hub, it exudes a cheery disposition that’s popular among residents and tourists alike, offering a considerable amount of sunshine and glistening gold and sapphire beaches.

The history of Sydney begins in prehistoric times when Australian Aborigines first occupied the district. However, it wasn’t until the period between 1788 and 1900 that the city became the capital of the British colony of New South Wales. It’s no surprise then, that many events took place over the city’s long history; one which stands out the most is the fact regarding a certain medical device, invented by a certain medical pioneer, in a certain Australian city…

The implanted cardiac pacemaker, a medical device which for decades has been used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, was more famously than not invented by American engineer and pioneering inventor Wilson Greatbatch – reportedly accidentally – in the barn behind his house in 1958. However, not much public credit is given to the inventor of the very first pacemaker in 1926, which was first invented in Sydney at the Crown Street Women’s Hospital by anaesthetist Dr Mark Lidwill. The story goes that after the birth of a stillborn baby, the pacemaker was used by Dr Lidwill to successfully revive the baby, whose heart continued beating after 10 minutes. Despite such an achievement however, Dr Lidwill refused to be recognized for his invention of the pacemaker, opting to remain anonymous to avoid public controversy.

8. Prehistoric pile dwellings stand till this day in Zurich

A cheerful city in Switzerland, Zurich is also the eighth best student city in 2018 – and for good reason. Having gained notable acclaim as the largest city of one of the happiest countries in the world, Zurich boasts a distinct level of orderliness and charges its citizens low taxes, hence its reputation as one of the cleanest, safest and most prosperous cities in Europe.

Aesthetically speaking, Zurich is home to some of the world's most spectacular green sceneries, combining a stunning mix of lakes, medieval buildings, serene country cottages and the breath-taking Swiss Alps. To add to that, the city has also preserved very ancient structures – among these, and which stand out the most, are the fascinating prehistoric pile dwellings scattered around the Alps. The story behind these dwellings is an interesting one: built somewhere around 5,000 and 500 B.C. (during the Neolithic and Bronze Age in Alpine Europe), they continue to symbolize an era that has long been lost in the passage of time, and as of 2011, were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were originally built on piles upon adjacent marshy land to protect against occasional flooding, however, due to the passing of time and the eventual growth of the surrounding lakes, many of these piles now lay underwater, leading current onlookers to falsely believe that the prehistoric settlements have always been set this way.   

7. Smoking was banned on the streets of Berlin in ancient 1848

With Germany’s fast-growing popularity as a study destination, its famed capital city Berlin enjoys a respected position in the top 10 best student cities of 2018, ranking seventh overall. Harboring some of Germany’s most prestigious universities – which also rank highly internationally – the city preserves major sources of attraction for all-things-urban, and has a substantial amount to offer curious history buffs as well as art enthusiasts and aspiring business moguls. Additionally, you’ll be thrilled to discover that all undergraduate degrees (and even some postgraduate programs) are free at public universities here, even for international students.

Since its foundation in the 13^th century, Berlin has undoubtedly had the lion’s share of major historical achievements and traumas, having witnessed the rise and fall of the German Empire between the 19^th and early 20^th century, its own division by Western Powers shortly after World War II, and the infamous Berlin Crisis between the late 60s and early 80s – to name a few. What many may not be aware of, however, is the city’s wise and rather premature banning of smoking in its streets – all the way back in 1848. The ban is now nationwide in Germany, with only certain bars and clubs permitting it.

My, if only all the world’s major cities would take heed…

6. In Munich, you will find the world’s oldest cinema

Another German city, Munich has managed to climb an impressive three places in the latest edition of the QS Best Student Cities, overtaking capital city Berlin to rank sixth. With its two internationally ranked universities both placing in the world’s top 100, Munich ranks among the best in the world for the desirability indicator due to its ease of navigation, friendliness, and most notably, affordability. As is the case with Berlin, tuition fees are non-existent at public universities here (regardless of nationality), adding much to its appeal for students worldwide.

Munich was founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony and of Bavaria near a settlement called Munichen, which was established during the Carolingian era. In 1506, it became the capital of the dukedom, and has since continued to harbor centuries of captivating history. Having always had a distinctive flair for the arts and politics, Munich today offers a vast selection of tourist attractions and sites of intrigue, including the world’s oldest cinema. Dubbed the Neues Kino Gabriel, the Gabriel Filmtheater has been in existence since 1906 – just about beating the world-record breaker Pionier Cinema in Poland, which was established in 1907 and has since been enjoyed by many.  

5. Once upon a time, Le Marais in Paris was a swamp

Paris, the romantic capital of France and the famed City of Lights claimed first place in 2018’s best student cities ranking for a remarkable four consecutive years. Now placing fifth, the city is home to more than a dozen internationally ranked universities, boasting more world-leading institutions than almost any other city in the world (except Seoul and London). Here, tuition fees are also relatively low, meaning that despite the contrasting high living costs, students can still manage to enjoy more of the slightly costly traditional pleasures of this iconic city than they may expect.

Throughout Paris’ extraordinary 2,000-year-old history, you can guarantee you’ll find an overflow of historical goodies, waiting to be discovered and explored. Founded towards the end of the third century B.C., the city was established by the Gauls who were called Parisii (hint hint). Many centuries later, in 52 B.C., the territory was conquered by Julias Caesar’s legions and founded the Roman city Lutetia. During the second century A.D., Christianity was introduced, and around 300 years later, in the fifth century, the Franks arrived, putting an end to Roman rule and eventually establishing Paris as the capital of the Kingdom in 508.

If you’ve ever paid a visit to Paris, then you’ve most likely taken a walk through Le Marais; a splendid historic shopping district within the center of the city, which displays extraordinary buildings and architectural gems of much historic significance – it’s also Paris’ ultimate center for LGBTQs. The name given to the district literally translates to ‘The Swamp’, which is obviously a far cry from its reputation today and relatively recent past as a well-known abode for the French nobility. The truth is, prior to the middle ages, Le Marais was once just a marshy landscape on the banks of the Seine. Sometime around the mid-13^th century, it became an agricultural field, though it didn’t gain the characteristic urban identity it enjoys today until the 17^th and 18^th centuries.  

4. Montréal wouldn’t exist today…if it wasn’t for a dog.

In 2017, Montréal in Canada topped the rankings as the number one student city in the world. The following year however, the city dropped three places to rank fourth – nonetheless, this has had no effect on its reputation as a well-loved student city and as Canada’s French-speaking ‘cultural capital’. Being multicultural and multilinguistic, Montréal is a fine melting pot of social variation and wide-ranging ethos, and currently hosts a few of the world’s leading universities.

Montréal certainly boasts quite an extraordinary timeline, which begins about 8,000 years ago. However, throughout its long existence, not many historical facts are able to grab our attention as much as the rather surprising story behind the Raphaël Lambert Closse statue. In early spring of 1644, the Iroquois (a powerful League of five to six Native American tribes) launched an attack on Montréal, which was then the French settlement of Ville-Marie. Consequently, a trained dog named Pilote, along with her puppies, alerted proto-Montréal’s leaders, prompting them to foil the attack. Pilote is honored till this day at the Raphaël Lambert Closse statue, by the Maisonneuve Monument.

3. Melbourne was the richest city in the world

Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne climbed to third place in the 2018 edition of the QS Best Student Cities. Melbourne is a vastly attractive study destination, mainly due to its highly diverse student communities – a feature that’s officially presented through the city’s very high score (and the highest in the entire ranking) for student mix. Melbourne is also home to several high-ranking universities, offering one of the most student-friendly environments.

Few people may be aware of Melbourne’s past of once being the wealthiest city in the world. Between 1851 and 1896, a staggering total of around 1,898,391 kg (61,034,682 oz) of gold was mined in Victoria. The specific period historians dubbed as ‘the Victorian gold rush’ however, was between 1851 and the late 1860s, when thousands of Australians and migrants rushed to the gold fields to seek their fortunes. Earlier during this period in the 1850s, the gold exported to Britain even helped to pay off foreign debts and establish the very basis of the Empire’s great economic boom that would occur later in the century.     

2. Tokyo was originally a small fishing village called Edo

Japan’s capital Tokyo rose five places in 2018 to rank as the second best student city in the world, scoring well for desirability whilst consistently ranking as one of the best globally for the employer activity indicator. Tokyo is currently home to 14 internationally ranked universities, many of which enjoy a spot in the world’s top 500.   

Surprisingly, the city of Tokyo hasn’t been around for as long as most of the cities on this list. Originally named Edo, today’s high-tech metropolitan city was merely a small fishing village fortified by the Edo clan in the first decade of the 13^th century, with Kyoto serving as Japan’s capital for more than a thousand years. In 1603, when Tokugawa leyasu founded the Tokugawa Shogunate here, the city began to flourish and by the mid-eighteenth century, expanded into a vast city with a population averaging over a million.

1. London’s Aldgate Station was built upon one of the largest 17^th century plague pits

Reigning supreme over the Best Student Cities ranking in 2018, the UK capital overtook Montréal to rank as the number one city for students for the first time. Despite its notoriously expensive tuition fees and living costs, London has managed to acquire a very high desirability among university students, mostly thanks to the capital’s internationally renowned academic and professional standing, and partly because of its exciting cultural mix and historical intrigues.

London’s existence traces back to 50 A.D., when it was founded by Roman rulers, who called it ‘Londinium’. By the third century, Londinium (then a town) had a growing population of around 50,000 – a figure which vastly lays claim to the impact of Londinium’s major port.

With such a prominent name in history, the amount of mind-blowing historical intrigues preserved by the UK capital may be anything but surprising. One that will certainly send a cold chill running down your spine is the fact that Aldgate Station was built on one of the largest plague pits, where over 1,000 Black Death victims were buried in 1665…so next time you’re at Aldgate Station, be sure to remind yourself that you’re casually standing on a 17^th century mass grave…yikes.       

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Rottnest Island, located a 30-minute boat ride from the city of Perth, Australia, is pretty much the closest thing you can find to complete paradise. For the locals of Perth, the island is just another reason why they will boast that the west coast of Australia is truly the best, with weekend trips to this slice of paradise being the norm.

While people come here searching for quokkas, this spot has truly so much more to offer than a selfie with a furry friend. I guarantee you will be in awe the second you step foot onto this island, with dozens of picturesque beaches, epic snorkeling spots, whale-watching, great biking trails, and overall the best place to spend a Sunday afternoon.

1. Visit one of the many beaches

With a total of 63 beaches, you’ll need a few visits to this island to hit them all. The amazing thing about having so many options is that the beaches are never overcrowded, with some of them being completely empty, and therefore all to yourself.

2. Grab your snorkel and explore the underwater world

There are so many amazing spots to snorkel around the island, including Salmon Bay, Fish Hook Bay, Kitson Point, Little Armstrong Bay, and many more. You can pretty much snorkel at any spot on the island and you’ll be sure to spot something. Snorkels can be rented at the same place where you rent your bike for the day.

3. See the island by bike

Why take the shuttle bus around the island when you can get some fresh air and exercise and bike around it? The island doesn’t allow any cars, so it’s pretty much the perfect spot to bike without any distractions. And better yet, you can stop whenever you want to stop without being on a bus schedule.

4. Go whale watching

The island is the perfect location to see both humpback and southern right whales as they migrate along the west coast, especially from late August to November. You can spot them at the West End Boardwalk, accessible by bike or the island bus.

5. Visit the aqua park

Think aqua parks are just for kids? You’d be mistaken. This place has inflatable floating rides, rock climbing walls, and an obstacle course to prance around in. The little kid will come out of anyone who visits this park.

6. Cool off with a pint

There are a few spots on the island where you can grab a drink, snack, or ice cream cone, with the most popular being Hotel Rottnest, the perfect spot to grab a drink with an amazing view of the water. You can also stay overnight here (and why wouldn’t you?).

7. Take a boat tour

There is a Discovery Bus Tour that loops around the island in 90 minutes, where you can sit back, relax, and learn about the island’s culture and history. And let’s be honest, it’s just another way to experience the beauty of Rottnest, in all its glory.

8. Rent a paddleboard

The island is the perfect spot to grab a paddleboard and spend the day out in the water, with calm waters and minimal waves making for a serene experience.

9. Take in the view…from 15,000 feet

Ever wanted to skydive? Well, this is pretty much the perfect location to do so, with stunning turquoise waters and a beach as your landing spot. You will be in awe all the way down, forgetting that you just jumped 15,000 feet out of a plane.

10. And of course…meet a quokka

Even though there’s more to the island than quokkas, it’s an absolute must to go quokka spotting in order to see some of these native creatures. These tiny animals have no fear of humans and will often come right up to you, and they’re pretty much the most photogenic creature in the world.

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Sponsored by the City of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is ranked 25^th in the QS Best Student Cities 2018, and is considered one of the best Latin cities for international students live and study.

With low living costs and the choice of 40 public and private universities, it’s no wonder that in 2017, 61,100 international students moved to the vibrant city.

If you’re looking to broaden your academic horizons, substantially improve your Spanish speaking skills, and experience a dynamic and arty international setting, read on to find out about some of the amazing master’s degrees you can do in Buenos Aires. 

Master in Economic and Financial Risk Management - Universidad de Buenos Aires

Follow in the footsteps of five Nobel Prize winners and study at the University of Buenos Aires. Well known for its academic excellence, UBA has almost 500 postgraduate courses across 13 departments.

The University of Buenos Aires offers a two year Master in Economic and Financial Risk Management program, where you can expect to obtain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of risk management models surrounding the highly competitive field of international finances and economics.

As well as being one of the largest, oldest and most prestigious institutions in the word, UBA is ranked 73^rd in the QS World University Rankings® 2019, making it the best university in Ibero-America. The university is also ranked ninth in the QS Latin America University Rankings 2018.

If you’re interested in studying at the University of Buenos Aires, you should contact the relevant postgraduate school that you’re interested in. You can also find out more about how to apply, the necessary admission requirements, the cost of tuition fees and more, here.

Master in Business Administration (MBA) - IAE Universidad Austral

Ranked 42^nd in the QS Top 50 Under 50 2019, the IAE Business School offers a full-time MBA, and is one of only 76 business schools in the world that’s accredited with the “Triple Crown” from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.

Students enrolled in the program can expect an intensive learning experience in a multi-national environment. Focusing on innovation, collaboration and personal growth, students are guided into the world of global business and are advised on the challenges that come with it.

There’s a lot of ‘hands on’ experience too with consulting projects, novel business ventures and more, so you’ll definitely gain genuine practice in how to apply everything that you’ve learnt in your lectures to reality. 

The full-time MBA program is 11 months long for anyone aged 24 and above, with three years’ work experience. IAE Business School offers a number of scholarships and financial assistance for its MBA students. For more information about the admission process, click here.

Master in Strategic and Technological Management - Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires

Fancy enrolling in a master’s where you can travel abroad (again) as part of the curriculum? Look no further, as the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology offers a Master in Strategic and Technological Management program.

The Master in Strategic and Technological Management program ensures students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to transform technological innovation into business innovation, covering topics such as: foundations of business management, technological innovation and strategic address.

What’s more is that in the first year of the program, you’ll be able to travel to the EOI Business School in Spain’s sunny capital, Madrid. You’ll visit companies, businesses and organizations and attend conferences with Spanish experts and businessmen.

And despite being a considerably small university, the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology is regarded as one of the best engineering schools in Latin America. For more information about the Master in Strategic and Technological Management at the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology, click here.

Master in Management and Analytics - Universidad Torcuato Di Tella

Ranked second in Argentina, and 24th in Latin America in the latest QS Latin America Rankings 2019, Torcuato Di Tella University is offering a new master’s program starting March 2019. The Master in Management and Analytics is a professional development program designed to advance students’ knowledge in marketing, finance, operations and general management.

You’ll also be encouraged to take part in the academic exchange which is beneficial to both your academic and professional development. These exchange opportunities can take you almost anywhere in the world, from Copenhagen to London, to Milan.

To find out more about the Master in Management and Analytics at Torcuato Di Tella University, visit their website.

Master in Design Management - Universidad de Palermo

Established in 1986, the University of Palermo is ranked 420^th in the QS World University Rankings® 2019, and 26^th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018: Art & Design.

The University of Palermo’s Master of Design Management program provides its students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of complex design projects which can be applied to authentic companies, businesses and organizations. 

The program can be completed in either two years, or one and a half years as part of a more intensive course – it’s entirely up to you! You can find out more information here, about the Master in Design Management program at the University of Palermo.

Be sure to learn the lingo

Spanish is the dominant language in Buenos Aires, so having good working knowledge of the language is essential if you’re thinking about studying in the Argentinian capital.

Study abroad in Buenos Aires

Want to find out more about studying in Buenos Aires? Click here, where you can discover how to get discounts on airport transfers, a free SIM card and a free travel card, as well as special rates for accommodation in the city! 

Going to university can be an amazing experience, giving you boosted career prospects, friends memories and life skills. But should you still go to university if you’re not completely sure of what you want to study? Watch the video above to hear what people said.

What do you think? Is it worth going to university anyway for the degree, or is it more important to be sure you’re invested in your subject first? Let us know in the comments below, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos.

Video by Pavel Petrov for TopUniversities.com.

QS offers US$7 million worth of scholarships to talented students every year, allowing some of the world’s brightest minds to pursue their dream education.

To find out more about the range of scholarships offered by QS, we spoke to one of the members of our scholarships committee – a select group of individuals responsible for sifting through applications and finding ideal candidates. She shared her tips on how you can make a scholarship application stand out.

(Don’t forget: to be eligible for a QS scholarship you need to attend one of our events around the world. Sign up here.)

What do you enjoy the most about being part of the QS scholarships committee?

I’ve read through thousands of essays from amazingly talented candidates and have come across some outstanding applications. Selecting the best ones can be challenging and time-consuming, but it`s like digging for gold – you never know when you’ll find something exceptional.

It also gives me an immense feeling of pride to be part of QS’s effort to make a change in people’s lives and help them reach a dream that might never come true without QS’s financial help.

Is it a big responsibility as well?

Yes, it is. I do feel that my decision influences people`s lives, but you must know that at least two other people read through all the essays in the pre-selection phase and an additional three people read the essays before the winner is selected. We all take the selection process very seriously and strictly follow the guidelines.

What are the first things you consider when looking at a scholarship essay?

When you open a document the first thing you notice is the layout and how it’s presented. All the QS scholarships require you to write an essay and we ask applicants to put their name, the title of the scholarship and the QS event they attended at the beginning of the essay. If this information is missing, the applicant has less chance of winning the scholarship.

The best essays always have good structure, starting with an introduction, where they tell us why they’re writing the essay and elaborate on the topic they will write about. Then comes the main body, where they answer the essay question and finally the conclusion. We also look at the word limit and discard applications that are way too long or too short.

In terms of content what should an applicant focus on?

We mainly expect them to answer the essay question. We want to see that the applicant understood the question and is focused on answering it, sticking to the topic from the beginning until the end.

We like to see the keywords appearing in the text, as this means we’re reading an essay meant to answer our question and it`s not a reused essay for another scholarship or a motivation letter for a university application. It`s crucial to have good grammar and spelling, but it`s also important that the essay reads well and is easy to understand.

How can an applicant stand out?

QS’s aim with these scholarships is to help talented people reach further in their life and career with the help of education. We are looking for individuals who have great potential and are willing to study and work hard to reach their aims.

Writing the essay is their chance to show us how talented and competent they are. We’re looking for people QS can be proud of and have the potential to make a difference.

Can you give us an example?

Sure. Let’s say you’re applying for the leadership scholarship and you need to write about your leadership experience. Don’t just write that you have worked at a bank as a team leader and you have done your job well and completed a project. We want to see real leadership – how you`ve empowered and inspired others, stepped outside your comfort zone and motivated others to follow you to reach a goal. Write about something you didn`t have to do, but that you did with passion and dedication.

Do you have any final advice for the applicants?

The most important thing is to thoroughly read through the eligibility criteria and only apply if you fulfil all the requirements. Before writing the essay, I would recommend you genuinely think about your aim, what you want to reach with the essay and why you’re writing it.

Be true to yourself too. If your personality is shining through the lines we read, you’re more likely to be selected. Finally, believe in yourself! There is always a winner and it could be you.