Leading in Confidence by Abigail

Leading in Confidence by Abigail - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Leadership is a quality that is necessary not only to succeed in college, but in all aspects of life. Many view leadership as holding a position of power or importance, but it does not always have to be that loud to hold significance. Leadership is necessary for college success because it helps motivate students, create lasting social connections, and gain confidence as they are faced with new challenges in the world.

The characteristic of leadership acts as a motivator for students to excel in all aspects of their lives. Leaders are seen as examples - a student who has no ambition or drive will not be seen as a leader and will gain no respect from their professors or peers. On the contrary, a student who is motivated and strives for excellence will gain more recognition and opportunities as a reward for their hard work. When one student strives for this excellence, they become an example for others and influence their peers to achieve all they can.

Throughout history, when a person stands out as a leader, they often increase in followers. Although this is not completely true in an educational setting, excellent leaders often gain more social connections. Humans by nature are drawn to strong people who know what they want and do all they can to achieve it. This does not mean that all leaders must be loud, commanding extroverts. Quiet leaders may lead by example and influence those around them without even realizing it. Whether a strong or a quiet leader, people want to be around hard workers. If students endeavor to do their best in college, they will meet many people that hold the same ambitions – this becomes helpful later in life both socially and in the career field.

Being a leader in college helps students gain much needed confidence. Whether it is becoming the President of a student organization, the captain of an intramural sports team, or simply being a senior example to the freshmen on campus, students gain confidence when they are placed in authority over someone else. Leadership in any form helps young adults consider the needs of others and helps with problem solving skills in difficult situations. Practicing leading others while still in school will help those students who, later in life, may become a boss, CEO, or employer. Leadership is a quality that should never be underestimated and is necessary for students to succeed in any capacity in college.