For Mainul Munabbir, the journey was anything but straightforward. It was unplanned at times, uncertain in many moments, and yet deeply rewarding in the end. Today, that journey has led to an acceptance at Texas Tech University, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Interestingly, the excitement did not come immediately. “When I first got my acceptance letter, I was still unsure if I wanted to commit,” he admits. In fact, he barely knew about the university before applying. Instead of rushing into a decision, he took a step back. “I talked to a few current students and asked them why I should or should not choose this university.” The final decision came from a surprisingly simple place. “The ultimate reason I chose Tech was because it has a really nice campus.”

His SAT journey began long before he fully realised it. “I first heard about the SAT back in 2020 when one of my siblings was preparing for it,” he recalls. What started as curiosity slowly turned into something more serious. “I used to practice some basic Maths questions with him for fun.” But like many students balancing academics and extracurriculars, he drifted away from it. “I got busy with college and clubs and almost forgot about it.”

The turning point came unexpectedly. With HSC exams postponed and eventually cancelled in 2024, he decided to take the SAT seriously. “I started preparing in September, but at first I was completely confused. I did not know where and how to start.” His initial experience was discouraging. “I started with BlueBook and scored terribly.” But instead of giving up, he adapted. “Over time, I got used to the patterns and started doing alright.”

Interestingly, his actual performance surprised even him. “I scored better in my actual tests than my practice tests,” he says. His preparation relied on a mix of resources. “I mostly used BlueBook, Khan Academy, Princeton Review practice tests, Erica Meltzer’s book, College Panda, and a little bit of YouTube DSAT hacks.”

Unlike many structured preparation stories, his approach was flexible. “I did not prepare for the SAT alongside regular academic studies,” he explains. Instead, he used breaks to familiarise himself with the exam. “During Eid or Puja breaks, I would just practice a little to understand the test. The goal was to not feel completely lost when I actually started preparing.”

Like most test takers, he faced challenges, especially in the Reading and Writing section. “Even though my background was in English version, I was terrible at it,” he says honestly. “I could not focus when I was reading, and I would forget what I just read.” With limited time before the exam, he had to be strategic. “I tried to finish the easier questions quickly so I could spend more time on the ones I struggled with.” That simple adjustment made a difference. “Eventually, this strategy worked for me.”

Beyond the test itself, the application process brought its own confusion. “Nothing is organised,” he says. But he did not navigate it alone. “I had some friends who were also applying, and we worked together.” Online communities also played a role. He found answers through Facebook groups like BBB and SAT Bangladesh. “Almost all students from NCTB background had the same questions.”

To stay organised, he built his own system. “I had around five notes in my phone that I used to update regularly.” He tracked tasks, deadlines, and information carefully. “Making to do lists helped me keep everything on track.” When needed, he reached out directly. “I asked seniors and even mailed universities to clear my confusion.”

When it came to choosing a university, practicality played a major role. Although he had other offers, including one from Purdue, financial considerations shaped his final decision. “Texas Tech is cheaper than most universities and still pretty good,” he explains. Affordability became a key factor.

Scholarship opportunities made the decision even clearer. “If you get a scholarship above a certain amount, you can pay in-state tuition,” he says. For many international students, this significantly reduces costs. “I have friends who pay around 2,000 USD a year, which is even cheaper than some universities in Bangladesh.” For him, this made Texas Tech the most realistic option.

Moving abroad brought both excitement and responsibility. “I am excited about everything,” he says. From meeting new people to experiencing a new lifestyle, everything feels new. “I came here with just a backpack.” Yet, like many international students, he carries a quiet concern. “We do not want to end up as wasted potential.”

Family support, though not conventional, played an important role. “I did not tell my parents about the whole process,” he reveals. Only his siblings and close friends knew the details. “My family gave me options, but the decision was always mine.” That trust meant a lot. “I think that is the best kind of support I could ask for.”

Looking back, there are things he would change. “I would have studied harder for the Reading and Writing section,” he admits. He now understands the importance of reading habits. “A lot of people told me to read newspapers or articles, but I realised it too late.”

When asked for advice, he keeps it simple and honest. “I am not the right person to give advice,” he says, but still shares what worked for him. “Start from the basics. Use Khan Academy and other resources to understand the topics.” Most importantly, he emphasises mindset. “Have some fun during the process. There is nothing to be stressed about.” Despite the challenges, he values the experience. “The journey was harsh, but also rewarding. I met a lot of people and I still talk to them.”

As he begins this new phase, his goals are still evolving. “I want to graduate with the best possible result, get into research, and eventually go into academia,” he says. Beyond academics, he adds, “I want to travel more and maybe get more degrees just for fun.”

His story is not about a perfect plan. It is about figuring things out along the way, making mistakes, learning from them, and still moving forward. And for many students standing at the same starting point, that might be the most relatable lesson of all.