Student Blog

3 min read

At APU, the Academic Merit Scholarship is often seen as something only the smartest and brightest students can achieve. I believed that too, especially after missing it by the tiniest margin more times than I’d like to admit.

Between intense competition (often needing a 4.0 just to lock it in), a minimum of 18 credits, and a narrow eligibility window from the second to sixth semester, it doesn’t take much to fall out of the race. One rough exam or one messy group project, and suddenly the pressure hits hard. For students who care about their GPA, whether for grad school, future jobs, or peace of mind (like me), it adds up fast.

After coming painfully close several times before finally earning it in my last eligible semester, I want to share what actually helped me get there. Because if I learned anything, it’s that knowledge is better when shared.

So let’s get to it!

1) Know your strengths and weaknesses

Here’s the thing: not all "hard" courses are hard in the same way. Understanding where you stand academically is crucial if you want to maintain a strong GPA. APU offers a wide range of courses, which means you can choose classes that align with how you learn best.

If you enjoy speaking up and presenting, courses that place a strong emphasis on participation and presentations may be a good fit for you. If you prefer independent study and exams (like me), courses that focus more on written assessments may work better, since grading tends to rely more on written evaluations.

2) Use the Syllabus wisely

I learned this one the hard way: don’t take courses blindly unless you want a semester full of stress and regret.

Another essential tool is the Syllabus, where you can search for courses by name or instructor. Using the keyword search option usually gives the broadest and most accurate results.

3) Learn how to adapt

One positive aspect of my time at APU as a more reclusive student in a presentation-heavy department like APM was that many pre-registered courses forced me to step out of my comfort zone. This was especially true when it came to public presentations and speaking up in class to earn participation points.

This growth helped not only academically but also during my tenure as president of one of the biggest clubs at APU, APU Times.

Always stay open to change. Don’t hesitate to take a good course just because it has many exams or heavy group work. Be open to learning, and as they say here, these courses will indeed "shape your world," but only if you are open to the experience.

4) Take initiative for your own growth

A common limiting mindset I see is thinking, "Why should I take extra steps in group work when I’ve already done my part?"

If you are aiming for a 4.0, bonus points are not optional. It’s about maximizing every advantage available to you.

The same applies to group work. If your group members are not proactive, take the lead. Group work grades affect your GPA too, so if others don’t step up, do it for yourself.

5) Have a support group

I didn’t achieve this scholarship on my own, and that matters.

Professors and friends supported me throughout the process, especially during semesters when I missed the cutoff by tiny GPA margins. APU’s close-knit community makes building those connections easier than you might think.

Make friends, register for courses together when possible, and form a support circle you can rely on. Many courses allow you to choose your own groups, and working with people you trust genuinely makes a difference.

6) Don’t give up!

And lastly, don’t give up. The journey doesn’t end until you reach your goal.

Getting a perfect GPA involves more luck than you might think. I hit the benchmark in a semester when I least expected it, while juggling an internship, serving as a core representative for two clubs, and working on one of the biggest cultural weeks at APU.

There were semesters when I believe my academic performance was stronger, but luck wasn’t on my side. If you keep your goals close to your heart and stay committed to your efforts, opportunities can emerge in unexpected ways. Even when things don’t go as planned, those experiences are never wasted.

If you continue moving forward without giving up, there may come a day when you are the one sharing your experience with this scholarship and supporting the next person on their journey.

Ganbatte!

Rahman Mir Mustaufiq

Hello, everyone! I'm Razin, a 4th year APM student. If you enjoy discussing Marxism or reading fictional novels, feel free to say hi when you see me on campus. I'm excited to promote APU through my SPA articles, especially through the perspective of all my peers!