For new players going into the game, it is vital to build a good reputation and rapport in case you want to apply for scholarships. Sponsors views your battle history and transactions in the blockchain. They take to consideration your behavior towards the game and most specially your battles. Once you're in, here are some best practices you should do as a Scholar:

As a new player, there are lots of things to take in regarding the game - rulesets, abilities, debilitations, etc. Take your time on studying them specially the Meta. In every card set introduction, there are certain strategies that overpowers the whole Splinterverse. For example, Eternal Tofu is the most OP card in the current meta. Almost every player bring this OP summoner in game due to its abilities and tactics.

It is now your task to either study how to utilize Eternal Tofu or how to counter it. One way of countering Eternal Tofu is the use of magic and ranged units. Avoid using melee and flying units as they will be neutralized by Thorns and Snare abilities. I made a post regarding Eternal Tofu's possible counter. It talks about the comparison of Immortalis and Tofu. You can read it here: https://peakd.com/hive-13323/@jabeesaints/sorry-tofu-but-immortalis-is-still-king

Scholars are given a card set to play with. For most scholarships, a full Chaos Legion set is either rented or delegated to a scholar account. As a scholar, you should widen your range of strategies and fully maximize the usage of the cards given to you. Strategies like Immortalis-Mycelic Slipspawn Back Sustain, Kelya-Wave Brood Back Sustain, All-Sneak Attacks, Possibilus Trample Special etc. are just few to add to your arsenal. To learn more strategies, you can watch others battle. Watch the epic battles in Top Battles and there, you can learn a lot.

You can also watch some Youtube and Twitch channels and receive some game advice. Here are some Youtube Channels you can watch and ask questions to during their livestreams:

Once you get the hang of it, build your own strategies. Surprise your enemies with tactics they never encountered before. A particular strategy might be named after you in the process. One particular strategy I do is whenever I get a new Soulbound card I think of the cards that will synergize with it. For example, Thanalorian Blade. With Execute, Opportunity, Trample and Lookout abilities, this card is good with other Opportunity units and units with Shatter or Corrosive Ward. In this way, your targets will be soften up for Thanalorian Blade to 'execute' it.

"Thou Shall Not Lose Streak" - this is the mantra I follow for my accounts specially my scholar account. Winning is important in increasing your Scholarship earnings. But so is avoiding lose streaks. When you feel titled and so anxious take a rest. Sometimes taking a quick breather will give you the win boost you need. Hug your pet dog, snuggle your pet cat, inhale and exhale, do things that will keep your cool.

As an additional tip, as part of HIVE ecosystem, write some posts about your Splinterlands battles. There are wide varieties of Web3 Social Media sites you can choose from:

Aside from receiving HIVE, you can express your thoughts about the game and people will give you some comments and advice. This will also widen your circle and let you learn about the HIVE ecosystem.

Being a scholar is only the beginning of being a Splinterlands player. As you collect cards and assets, you build your Splinterlands wisdom and skill. Don't stop at just being a scholar, you can also build your own account. Use your earnings to improve your deck. Nothing is more worthwhile than having your own cards to play on and your own assets to build on.