Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In honor of Earth Day, TST has some tips on conserving your time during your application process and resources for those committed to helping the earth.

Over the past 20 years we’ve seen a rise in environmentalists as climate change impacts many of us across the world. Whether you’ve taken the steps to reduce your single-use plastic or an electric vehicle is on your dream car list, conservation isn’t only applicable when it comes to mother nature.

Sometimes students overcomplicate scholarship applications. Many applications have generic asks such as transcripts, recommendations, personal statements and/or might include a unique writing prompt. If you are actively searching and applying for multiple scholarships save your time and work smarter.

For starters, check out the Toolkit Basics tab to get a checklist to remain organized when you have multiple deadlines. Taking these minor proactive steps will keep you ready for whenever a funding opportunity arises.

Next, who says you can’t recycle scholarship essays? Even if an application has a specific writing prompt they want to get to know you and your perspective. If you have a powerful personal statement, pull from that document. Its your words, just make sure whatever pieces you pull are applicable and relevant to what the application is requesting.

In my collegiate days, I’ve reused and pulled pieces out from past scholarship essays. Learn more about plagiarizing (and self-plagiarizing) here.

For those committed to battling climate change and preserving nature check out these scholarships are curated just for you!

Scholarships:

• Sport Fish Center

• Iowa Conservation Education Coalition

• Memorial Conservation Scholarship

• Soil & Water Conservation Society

• Sea of Change Foundation (FL resident)

• Women Divers Hall of Fame

• The Garden Club of America

• Soil Science Society of America

• Scholar’s App (various state-focused options)

• Florida Outdoors Writers

• Keesler Scholarship Fund (2021 application opening soon)

• World Wildlife Fund List

• Conservation Careers – Scholarship List (International student friendly)

• Going Merry – Earth Day Scholarship

•  National Environment Health Association

•  One Planet, many People: Scholarship Video Contest

Reduce your stress, recycle your essays and reuse only necessary and relevant information for each scholarship application. It’s one thing to recycle pieces of your work but it is a completely different ball game if you’re copying and pasting the same thing into 30 applications. Work smart but do not become lazy or complacent! Continue to reimagine the standard toward your debt-free journey and a sustainable lifestyle.