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A few weeks ago, I returned home from a work trip and I was eager to warm up my piano. It's a Korg Sp150s. Unfortunately, it had developed some faults. Majorly loud keys and unresponsive first octave keys.

I was disappointed and angry at the vendor as it wasn't even 8 months yet since I bought it. The most devastating thought was that I am yet to master the instrument. Work doesn't give me enough time.

Although I was strong-willed to reach out to the seller, I paused and really wanted to investigate the problem. Youtube, the ever-present friend in times of such trouble came to my aid and after a series of videos, I took the bold step.

My piano worked just fine after a very strenuous attempt at fixing it. It even cost me some money as well. However, I learnt three things.

That the problem was my fault. I exposed the piano to dust that had built up over time and clogged the panels.
That I would've ended up being harassed by the seller if that had been discovered much later
How to fix loud and mute keys on electronic pianos and how to renew the carbon deposits on the rubber contacts.
In the same way, we could learn new things when we have it in us to always fix problems than choosing to complain about situations that do not favour us or our expectations.

For growing young professionals like myself, having a Fix-It mindset will give us room to not just learn new things but also realise that facing a problem head-on may not be the best way to solve it.

In the world of education and career pursuit, it is of no doubt that studying in foreign countries such as the United Kingdom, United States of America and a few other countries in the European union is a perfect way to get high quality education. Most especially, for postgraduate students. Due to this fact, it has been a tougher battle getting admissions into the top schools in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and a few other top countries.

Most students get to apply and despite meeting up with all the demands of the admissions process, they still get denied at various stages of the admission process. The journey of any student into foreign countries universities can be summarized into four. These include;

· Application for admission offer

· Visa application

· Visa interview

· Travel & enrolment

These steps are all crucial, simple but in the process of applying for admission, even the procedures that seem right might actually be wrong. Hence, follow the following 5 MISTAKES THAT MAKE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR ADMISSION INTO UK UNIVERSITIES

1. STUDY GAP: Often times when people apply into schools for probably a postgraduate course, they tend to have had a few years distance between their last degree and the one they are applying for. In most cases, people do not take seriously the need to explain what they were doing for those number of years in their CV and some might even proceed with the application without indicating if they have had working experience during those years while making the application. The truth is that, if you can not account for your study gap, you most probably won’t get your admission

2. IELTS/WAEC: English language tests have turned out to be a nightmare for students as they are not just expensive but international English tests have proven to be difficult and students fail woefully most times. With the problem of making up to the band score in place, it would be heart warming to know that not all UK universities make international English tests such as IELTS and TOEFL compulsory. Some or rather say most universities in the UK take WAEC English language results, Duolingo and some even offer internal English language tests. A fatal mistake will be waiting to ace your IELTS before you make your application.

3. PASSPORTS: one key requirement for students looking at the possibility of studying in the UK is the international passport. Before you can be granted your study visa, you will be needing a document from the school as evidence of your admission and hosting into the country. This said document is to be issued to you by the school you applied to and the school will not give you this document unless you provide the details of your valid international passport. In most cases, students go ahead with university applications without knowing the right things to do at the right time. Not submitting your international passport details is a very fatal shot in the leg.

4. PREVIOUS VISA REFUSALS: some prospective students have been denied entry into certain countries in the past. These may not necessarily be in the UK but will definitely affect your opportunity to study in the UK. If you have previous Visa refusals, it may be hard to get a visa into the UK, but it is not impossible. The best way is to go through trusted University representatives/agents who will guide you through the process of your admission. The best bet is going through those agents who don’t charge you a dime for the process. (You may google them up).

5. CARELESSNESS AND FAKE DOCUMENTS: one grievous offence that may land you in trouble and permanent ban from the UK is the submission of doctored documents at any of your application stages. In times past students have submitted fake documents such as degree certificate, marriage certificates, transcripts, expired passports, doctored bank statements, etc. This has cost many a great deal of trouble not just with the schools but also with the UKVI. Another fatal mistake is not paying attention to the details of questions asked during your application. Avoid carelessness when putting up your info on the application websites or when submitting your details with agents.

Furthermore, ensure that your documents are in good shape and don’t try to use your generic intelligence all through the process. Double check every process, you don’t want to miss any dot on the I’s.

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