Testimonials

After graduating from an American University and moving to the UK, there were several things done differently that made it harder to get a job offer. I was then in the position of sending out hundreds of applications and although I managed to secure several interviews, I still struggled with a full job offer and started to feel quite disheartened. This brought me to Nayanee and she refreshed my CV while walking me through what changes she recommended and why. I noticed an almost immediate effect in my job search and felt a lot more confident. Additionally, Nayanee helped search for interesting job roles that I did not come across that were well suited to my aspirations on a weekly basis – which I know from experience is very time consuming! If I needed any help outside of our regularly scheduled weekly meetings, Nayanee always managed to fit me into her very busy schedule to give me peace of mind. Another huge impact Nayanee had on my job search was a LinkedIn profile refresh, where she walked me through all the ways I could make my profile look more professional, that also clearly communicated my strengths and experience. As a graduate I really appreciated everything Nayanee did for me and if there are any graduates reading this who are in a similar position to me, I could not recommend Nayanee highly enough. She has impeccable knowledge about the UK employment and University environment and I am confident that she could help anyone looking for guidance in this subject area.

Note: Following several sessions of career coaching and support with interviews, Thomas gained a graduate job offer following his MSc at Chubb Security one of the largest global providers of security and insurance. Before this he gained employed at Clinigen. We also supported him with academic tutoring for his MSc where he achieved a Merit.

Nayanee has been collaborating with me since last year, right after my AS results came out. She has even helped me before that with the Morrisby test, so that I get a rough idea, as to what my capabilities are and what I should think of, when selecting my degree programme. Ever since my AS results, she has advised me and guided me on what my next steps should be. We started working on my UCAS application form, and she recommended universities based on predicted grades and the results I already had. She made it very personal and understood what my needs were and the passions I had when finding a university and course that suited me. She has always been accessible and only a phone call away. She went out of her way to understand more about the courses that interested me and even mustered the support of those who are currently doing that programme or related to that programmed to give insights, so that I was able to make the correct decision. She has helped me to navigate through the uncertainties and unknowns covid-19 has placed before us, in selecting a university for entry in 2020.

UK & USA University Applications 2020 Entry

Economics – London School of Economics 2020 Entry

Biomedical Engineering – Imperial College 2018 Entry

UK University Applications 2020 Entry

Academic Coaching (IB 2020)

Biological Sciences 2020 Entry – Received offers from Russell Group universities Exeter, York, Cardiff; also Surrey & Kent.

Smarter Lives gave me excellent advice through my entire application process: from what to look for in a university to how to get to a point where I could receive an offer. Nayanee showed me how to effectively craft my personal statement using activities and books, some of which she helped me find to enhance my application. She always had several resources at hand, answers to all of my questions and a lot of knowledge about the UK and US application processes. She also offered a lot of academic support every week with the IB Diploma Programme. The proof is in the pudding: thanks to Smarter Lives, I received offers from all 5 of my UCAS choices. Thank you Nayanee!

US University Applications –  2020 Entry 

University Choices, Essay Guidance – Common App and Texas Apply 

When I began the application process for universities, to be honest, I was quite lost. I was not sure of what I wanted in a university experience, it was all kind of jumbled. However, as soon as I began working with Smarter Lives I was shown a number of resources to help me organize my thoughts. Smarter Lives helped me find the right universities, but it didn’t stop there. Throughout my application process, I had to write 5 essays/short answer questions, in addition to the common application essay. While it was on me to write these and use my original ideas for them, it was Smarter Lives that I helped me organize these thoughts into coherent messages. Additionally, I believe if it wasn’t for Smarter Lives I would not have been able to get into 5 university choices. I am so grateful to Smarter Lives for their help throughout this process.

UCAS applications and statements

Medicine (Kings College), Accounting & Finance (Edinburgh), Fashion Marketing (University of the Arts, London)

Nayanee gave us invaluable help with our children’s university applications, Our daughter is now a successful 5th year Medical student at Kings College London and our son obtained several offers to Russell Group universities in 2017 to study Accounting and Finance – he is now at Edinburgh University. Our younger daughter has received offers to Southampton and UAL for Fashion Marketing – her top choices; which we are thrilled about. Nayanee is extremely well informed about schools and colleges and has very good personal contacts with experts in many fields especially in medical/engineering and business. She was excellent at talking to our children and helping them decide the best way forward along with helping them with UCAS statements. I am hugely grateful to her – We think she is absolutely fantastic!

UCAS Statement and University and Courses Research, LNAT Admissions Test advice

2019 entry (Law), Russell Group, Career Coaching for Law Internships

Nayanee assisted with my son with university consultancy – from degree choices, university choices, personal statement help, and finally supervising his UCAS application up until the submission date.

Her research and the accompanying reports are very thorough and detailed, which made the decision making on degree choices, university choices and college choices a lot easier.

For the university application support, Nayanee also provided my son with advice on extra curricular activities that my son should be taking part in during the admission cycle. These include advice on essay competitions, extra academic reading suitable for the degree he was applying for, and relevant work experience. Throughout Year 12 and Year 13, Nayanee was always available at the other end of the line holding our hands until the submission deadline. Nayanee would also call to catch up on the application results and advice accordingly on the plan going forward.

My son has is now a happy 2nd year Law undergraduate at the University of Exeter.

Update: Career Coaching including help with CV presentation has with securing internship experiences with 2 top London Law Firms.

A Level Subject Choices and Higher Education Choices (Year 11)

2021 Entry (Sciences)

Nayanee assisted my daughter with A level options and degree choices which included university selections. Her approach is very personal and customised to my daughters strengths and aptitude. My daughter came away from her first consultation with a narrowed down list of two possible degree subject choices – which in my opinion is quite a feat and a final profile of her A level options. Nayanee has also provided a report for my daughter following her first consultation with research on university choices and courses.

 Update: UCAS Applications and guidance is now underway for Biology applications to Oxford and top universities in 2020.

Independent Secondary Schools (Boarding Schools) Entry – Eton College & Harrow Scholarship 

Pre-Entry Assessments (Aptitude Tests) and scholarship guidance  

Nayanee assisted me with my son’s preparation for secondary school’s entrance assessments. Nayanee has a detailed knowledge of the type of online and paper assessments he was to take and was able to source similar online and paper tests for my son to practise with. Nayanee was also able to give my son a couple of tutorials on these tests. My son successfully gained an entry to senior school of his choice.

UK UCAS application & Statement, USA University Applications

Fine Art (2019 Entry)

When I wasn’t admitted into any of my top choice schools in 2018, I made the decision to undertake a gap year and reapply to universities. During this time, I visited university fairs, gained relevant work experience and learned more about the university application process. With the help of Nayanee, I have now been offered places at all my top choice universities across the US and UK. I have also been offered merit scholarships including to my top choice Parson’s School of Design (New School).

From the start to finish, Nayanee provided me with honest advice to strengthen my UK applications and her knowledge of universities beyond the UK was essential to improving my understanding of the US admissions process and the quality of my applications. Even helping me secure an internship earlier this year. I cannot thank her enough for her support throughout my gap year. I highly recommend Nayanee.

Smarter Lives Update: 3 scholarships offered for US universities: Pace University, Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) and Parsons College of Design (The New School). UK offers included Central St Martins (UAL) – London’s top art school.

Samuel will attend the Foundation Year at Central St Martins (UAL) and plans to attend Parson’s School in 2020 for Fine Art degree.

UK University Applications & USA University Applications via Common App

Fine Art 2019 Entry

When my son decided to take a gap year I was really worried about his future. It was then when I decided to find a college Counsellor and Nayanee came into our lives. She guided my son in an excellent way along the UCAS process and college applications in the US. She was very well informed about colleges, scholarships and opportunities.
Honestly, we needed the assistance of a professional coach and Nayanee was perfect.
I highly recommend the services of Smarter Lives.

Career Psychometrics Workshop, Sri Lanka

Psychometrics for sixth form subject selection

My daughter and I primarily sought Nayanee Silva’s help to guide her subject selection for ALs. But that is not all we received. We met her to have feedback on a report Nayanee had generated from the Morrisby Psychometrics Test my daughter had previously done through Smarter Lives. During the session Nayanee analysed the report even more thoroughly, advising her how to play to her strengths and personality. She pointed to various undergraduate degree options – many of which we had never really explored before – university choices, information on scholarships, future career guidance – in short, a lot of food for thought with relevant weblinks to look through at leisure! Many thanks Nayanee for all the help!!

Career Coaching for Summer Internship

EY intern (Chartered Accountancy/Assurance Dept, Reading Office) and Graduate Scheme offer

Nayanee at Smarter Lives was essential to my process of finding a summer internship.
Through weekly calls and frequent emails, she guided me along the entire application experience from touching up my CV and helping me to craft individual targeted cover letters to selecting relevant summer opportunities from desirable companies.
She gave me a range of relevant opportunities to pick from, and gave advice on every application. For successful applications, she was able to advise on any psychometric tests that the company employs, directing me to resources where I could practice questions for each type of test, proving very helpful for the real tests.
For one of my applications, I progressed through to a telephone interview after the psychometric tests. For this, she gave me advice on what to expect and suggested a range of questions and topics to consider responses to in preparation. Her advice proved successful, and I was invited to an assessment centre shortly after. Again for this I was given resources to teach me what to expect from the assessments, including tests to practice and multiple websites and topics to research in preparation for the tasks to be completed at the centre.
I’ve just been offered the internship due to positive feedback from every stage of the assessment centre, and I would not have either known about the opportunity nor been able to make such a strong application without the help and constant support of Nayanee.

*A place on the graduate scheme was offered following completion of the internship.*

UCAS applications and statement (UK), Common Application process for US universities

Business & Management related courses

When it comes to deciding on the right place to go for the next four years of your life, it’s crucial to have the assistance of a professional coach. It’s a relief to know Nayanee from Smarter Lives during this moment our teenager will choose a university among thousands in UK, US, France. Nayanee has an excellent grasp of the universities application process with many ideas to choose the right one that could fit. She has made several investigations and communications with universities, the result is that our son has received all 5 offers on his UCAS choices and so far had 2 offers from his US choices, awaiting responses from 2 more.
I highly recommend the service from Smarter Lives around me. Nayanee, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart to bring your great support during this stressful period.

Masterclass on Higher Education & University Entry (Sri Lanka)

Higher Education Seminar

As a high school graduate taking a gap year, unaware of my options – going to the Smarter Lives Masterclass on Higher Education & University Entry gave me a new insight into my university application and options.
I had already applied, but intended to take a gap year as I was not completely sure about what my plans were. I was keen on learning more about where I could apply based on what I planned to do, as I had finally decided on Journalism and Digital Media. The seminar provided me with the steps needed to finalize my choice of university with regards to my course content, accreditation and assessment methods.
The latter part of the class included a talk by a university student that further encouraged me to broaden my mind when looking at extra-curriculars and choices to make when in university.
Overall, the class helped both me and my parents understand the process thoroughly and also gave me information I needed to apply for scholarships later on.

Business Coaching for Start-up

 Mentoring and business advice

Since quitting my full time job in the charity sector I was drawn to starting something of my own but I lacked confidence and I felt unsure of the idea and this where Nayanee stepped in. With every weekly call, she bolstered my confidence, helped me set goals, and was available for questions no matter how stupid they were. Within a matter of weeks of being coached, I launched my site mamabuys dot co dot uk and I thank her for her support throughout. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely road, so it is great to have someone I can discuss ideas with, ask for help in areas I don’t have much knowledge or skills in, and to have a weekly chat about the general challenges/progress in my business. Nayanee is at once a coach and an exemplary mum I can look upto because she has successfully juggled work/ her own businesses with raising her sons who are two accomplished young men now. I am grateful for her role as my business coach and highly recommend her to other entrepreneurs who need support to get their business off the ground.

Career Coaching –  Masters Degree, Graduate Scheme Applications

 Graduate Scheme  – XPO Logistics 

After graduating from university, I had little idea as to where I wanted to proceed, thanks to Nayanee and Smarter Lives I set forward a plan to complete a master’s degree and get a job in a relevant field. Nayanee helped me not only find a university that would accept such a late entrant but also fit my level of academics. After that, she worked with me to find a graduate job for the following year by looking for job openings that were not only matching my interests and skills but would help me develop new skills. When taking psychometrics, she provided me with practice tests, so I always knew what to expect and also advice for interviews and how to respond to possible questions. I have now been offered a job that starts in September that I would not have if not for the help of Nayanee.

Seminar on Change Management – Silvermill Group, Sri Lanka

Business Seminar, October 2018

Mrs Nayanee Silva’s presentation on Changed Management was brilliant and very timely. Silvermill Group had to implement Change Management to review products that are profitable and introduce management practices that would help the company stay competitive in a challenging market place.

This talk preceded the implementation of a new Performance Management system. Nayanee’s presentation to the Head Office staff – managers, factory workers and engineers took real world examples of companies that had successfully implemented change and contrasted these with those that had ignored change. She was able to present suggestions for management and workforce to work together in a positive and proactive way in a manufacturing environment.

We appreciated her insights from her business experience and requested the material for review after the talk and for those who could not attend. We have invited her to coach managers in 2019 towards effective staff/ performance management.