The Importance of Leadership for College Success by Alvin

The Importance of Leadership for College Success by Alvin - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

While there is no direct correlation with good grades or extra credits, leadership is undoubtedly important in order to achieve college success. That is because leadership is all about impact--on a student and on his or her community and peers. College is the ultimate test for young and ambitious high school graduates who are eager yet anxious to explore a new, self-directed lifestyle free from nagging mothers and necessary chores, but abundant with unpaid bills and responsibility. Ultimately, college serves as the rugged transition from young adult to adult and the glimpse at a life of full freedom; one that only you can control and set the future for. And that's where leadership comes in. Success in college doesn't equate perfect grades, wicked fraternity parties, or Division 1 sports. Success in college means finding what you love to do, discovering an identity in yourself, and expanding and exploring on your interests.

Accomplishing all this will arm yourselves with the necessary skills and knowledge needed for a bright future. In college, a leadership role, whether you're the captain of the football team, head of a group project, or President of the Ping-Pong Club, assumes great responsibility and builds a valuable set of skills that prepares college students for the future. These skills include communication, teamwork, negotiation, organization, time and financial management, and decision making and are not obtainable without the firsthand learning experience of a leadership position. In addition, assuming leadership in an activity or organization justifies a student's interest in a certain field or hobby, and can help a student find his or her self-identity.

Another big impact that leadership makes is one on the entire student body and community. By being a leader, you have the opportunity to change your college. Obviously, being a leader means that you command the respect and trust of others and that you have a position of influence. It is also your gateway to many opportunities for change and your megaphone that will make your voice be heard. A leadership role means that you can turn your words and opinions into action and that you can improve the student body with your brilliant visions. Being a leader also means that you can impact others by setting an example. One definition of leadership, given by Sonny Newman, CEO of EE Technologies, claims that "Leadership is influencing others by your character, humility and example. It is recognizable when others follow in word and deed without obligation or coercion." Through your character and attitude, others willingly follow your actions and lifestyle, so you can become a beneficial role model for people around you. Without even knowing it, you can change someone's life! The final way that leadership can impact others is through communication. A leader has to know how to deal with people and effectively handle various sorts of situations. This means that he or she must motivate and give advice to people in their group, as his or her words carry a great weight. A leader is someone who inspires others to become better and to bring out their true potential. A leader can take a team of average individuals and push them to do things that they have never done before and ultimately end with a group that is twice of what it was. Thus, a leader can affect the way a person thinks or acts and can push them to success and innovation.