Leadership skills are NOT necessary for college success by amber

Leadership skills are NOT necessary for college success by amber - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Leadership skills are not necessary for college success. In fact it is quite the contrary; college is about developing leadership skills, polishing rough edges and becoming the future leaders of this nation and even the world. The best college student is merely a follower with nothing more than leadership potential.
This is not to say leadership skills are not beneficial to one’s college success. However, it seems these skills get in the way when one of the greatest skills many students are lacking today is the ability to follow. One of the most relatable quotes reflecting this modern day attitude can be found in the movie ‘Avatar’ (2009) when Moat expressed to Jake in regards to teaching, “It is hard to fill a cup that is already full.” Coming from a generation of instant access and open opinions, listening to what someone has to say, hearing and processing it on a deeper level for future development and application, are the true desired skills which when properly cultivated at a young age create the best students and ultimately the greatest leaders.

Keeping this in mind, it is these same developing buds of leadership which get you into college in the first place. Without the desire to step away from the mundane, to do something more, be it a step up at work, a new career, or starting a business, taking those first steps to get into college, the student would never be in college to begin with. College isn’t for the faint of heart; only a few people get the family support as well as the drive and those without drive relying on nothing but others usually drop out by midterms.

Leadership skills are not necessary to be a college student; they have their benefits but to become the best college student you can be, they should be applied to endurance, longevity, and drive. When balanced with a dose of curiosity and a healthy perspective on one’s own place in the educational process at school, leadership skills do have their benefits.