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

Planning to study abroad can be challenging for many students because the process involves multiple steps and a lot of information from different sources. Common mistakes often include choosing a country or university based only on rankings, not fully understanding visa requirements, or underestimating living and long-term costs.

Another issue is delayed preparation. Starting late with language exams, documentation, or university shortlisting can significantly limit options, especially for competitive programs.

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

I’m interested to know how others approached their study abroad planning and what challenges they faced during the process.