Let me share a small confession. Perfectionism has been my shadow for as long as I remember, until a paintbrush forced me to confront it.
A few years ago, I decided to try abstract art. The idea alone made me uncomfortable. I still remember my first session: a messy canvas, colours smearing past the edges, my hands covered in paint, and feeling utterly frustrated by the lack of straight lines. It took that moment for me to realise how tightly I held on to the need for things to turn out exactly right—in my work, my writing, and the expectations I placed on myself.
Then something unexpected happened. A brushstroke went “wrong”, and just before I was about to bin the whole thing, the “mistake” dried into something far more interesting than anything that I had planned! That moment was truly liberating. Bit by bit, I learnt to loosen my grip, stop correcting every corner, and allow the piece to unfold, creating my first true (and honest) masterpiece.
I know I’m not alone in this, and many students feel the same quiet pressure—the need to keep up a capable front, while hiding the constant fear that they’re “not good enough.” That’s why we’re calling out The Perfectionism Trap in this edition,
with the hope of helping those affected recognise the perfectionism mindset and offering practical tips to step back before it starts wearing them down.
And since we’re exploring uncomfortable, unspoken truths, let’s address another touchy subject that has been sitting quietly in the background: AI and personal statements. Everyone knows it’s being used. Everyone knows institutions are aware. In fact, the real question isn’t whether it’s right or wrong; it’s how to use these tools without losing your voice. This edition doesn’t give you a verdict; it gives you space to explore for yourself and understand where your line is.
With that said, this year’s Scholarship Guide is all about clarity and choice. Your clarity. Your choices. Your next chapter. Alongside the articles, scholar interviews, and the full list of scholarship opportunities, I hope these pages inspire reflection and guide you towards making thoughtful, confident (not perfect) decisions.