How do students usually plan for studying abroad and avoid common mistakes?

Planning to study abroad can be confusing for many students because there are multiple steps involved and a lot of information available online. Common mistakes usually include choosing a country or university based only on rankings, not understanding visa requirements properly, or underestimating living and long-term costs.

Another issue is starting late. Delayed preparation for language exams, documentation, or university shortlisting often limits options, especially for competitive programs.

Students also don’t always understand how education guidance works. Some platforms now follow a transparent model where students are not charged for guidance and the platform is paid directly by universities. This helps reduce pressure on students and allows them to focus on informed decision-making instead of rushed choices. I’ve seen platforms like Yastudy follow this approach while guiding students through country and university planning.

I’m interested to know how others here approached their planning process or what challenges they faced while preparing to study abroad.