If you are considering applying for a scholarship then it can be an absolute nightmare if you do not know where to begin. You would have to trawl through books, articles and website in order to get the information that you need to be able to complete an application form without making one of the many mistakes that could get it discarded. And then there is the fact that you have to hype yourself up to get noticed amongst the thousands of other applicants... All in all, it can be an extremely stressful experience if you do not know what to expect before you begin to fill out the required forms. In truth, this makes research extremely necessary before you put pen to paper. This can ease the burden on you and save you from a few sleepless nights.

However, it is only after you have filled in the application form that the problems really start for you on a very personal level. Waiting for a letter that could make the difference between you going to college and not can take its toll on your health in the short term. It can be extremely stressful waiting for a letter that would mean so much more than simply having money in your bank account. Be prepared for sleepless nights and days in which you are unable to eat. Of course, this would only actually apply if you would face financial burden whilst at college without it, or maybe would not even be able to go at all. If you are financially secure and able to go to college as a result of your parents' income then you have nothing to worry about.

If this strain is taking its toll on you during the weeks waiting then could use your nervous energy for another purpose. Many individuals apply for the scholarship they want and need before even looking at others, but if you have not already looked at other opportunities that you may be eligible for then this is the time to do that. Why not use your nervous energy to scour scholarship and grant databases? There are hardship grants available to those who sit below the poverty line, and other similar grants designed for individuals that cannot afford an education without it. You could also get a job to save some money to put towards your college fund. The stress at this stage is actually manageable in comparison to the stress that would come if you were awarded the scholarship!

Stress can take a massive toll on your health so it is extremely important that you manage and channel the stress so that you actually work it off as you are going along. Focusing on working or a task that you have always meant to get around to but never had the chance, like volunteering somewhere or decorating your room, can actually be beneficial to your health as a result. This advice is all the more important when you are accepted for a scholarship and have to maintain the levels they expect in order to keep the scholarship.

The majority of scholarships are awarded for the term of your university course, depending on you maintaining a certain grade point average (GPA), which will almost certainly be a high one. Very few scholarships are awarded that allow you to fall below a 3.2. This does put you under immense pressure and can actually cause depression, anxiety and a variety of physical illnesses because you will be working so hard that your body will no doubt become run down. If you couple your academic work with the fact that you will probably have to get yourself a job to see you through and allow you to eat then you may have very little time on your hands for anything else, but you should always make time to relax. Relaxing allows your body to unwind and will keep you in far better health than any amount of lotions and potions ever would.

You must always look after yourself whilst at university. The amount of pressure put on students these days is immense, and a scholarship usually serves to apply even more pressure than is absolutely healthy. To succeed in college, you must look after your health and finding a way to manage your stress is the only way that is possible!