![](https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0027/208494/SarbjeetSingh.jpg)
Sarbjeet Singh
2023 Premier’s Award winner, International Student of the Year, and 2023 International Student of the Year – Regional
Give yourself the chance to be recognised and inspire others
I highly recommend applying for this award to other international students and graduates. It is one of the most prestigious honours an international student can receive, offering a valuable platform to pursue your passions. The award connects you with leading professionals in the industry, empowering you to inspire many others. As a student, gaining recognition for your hard work is incredibly important, and this award allows you to showcase your achievements to the world. You never truly know if you are the right person for an award unless you take the plunge and apply. By putting yourself out there, you give yourself the chance to be recognized and inspire others.
Dedicate time to prepare and review your application
When preparing your application package, it's essential to dedicate ample time and regularly review your work. Treat your application like an important assignment with a strict deadline. Seek out a mentor or someone who can provide guidance and feedback to enhance your application. Additionally, gather as much evidence as possible to support your claims, such as photos, videos, blogs, or other relevant documentation. By following these steps, you can create a strong and compelling application.
Include all of your achievements and use evidence to bring your experiences to life
I began by writing down a list of my achievements and then organized them according to the questions they suited best. I shared almost everything I had accomplished throughout my student life, making sure my answers were connected like a story and flowed well together. It’s crucial to provide additional evidence to support your claims—whether it’s photos, videos, blogs, or other forms of documentation. This not only strengthens your application but also brings your experiences to life.
Divyangana Sharma
2021-22 Premier’s Award winner, International Student of the Year
Treat your application like an assignment, and work on it bit by bit
I treated my application as one of my assignments… I used to come back to it, so I used to give it a little bit of my day... and I used to draft it and I sent it to my mentor for her to review it. Otherwise I would’ve gotten lazy with it, I would’ve prioritised other things over it… it was really good to put that kind of pressure on [myself].
Don’t sell yourself short - everything you’ve achieved, no matter how small, is worth mentioning
We often think our smallest achievements are not worth mentioning, but you’d be surprised how that small thing that you’ve done has had a bigger impact on a community, on your family and your friends, at your uni or institution... so don’t be afraid to use those small achievements and hype them up.
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