Start Somewhere by Angelica

Start Somewhere by Angelica - September 2014 Scholarship Essay

Estee Lauder once said, "I never dreamed of success. I worked for it." There may be a multitude of skills needed to succeed in college but, I believe just one skill is vital to succeeding. Not only is it needed for college success but it is also needed for future success. Which is why I believe that having determination is most important for college success.

According to Paul Graham, determination has many components. Determination consists of willfulness, self-discipline, and ambition. Willfulness is the refusal to step down in what you believe in. Some may say that willfulness is innate. I presume that I have stood strong for wanting to pursue in whatever I believe I could set my mind to. Without backing down. Strong will is complemented by self-discipline. Self-discipline is a learned trait. I give myself tough love for a reason. I believe that I learn more from my failure because, I would not succeed if I was not hard on myself. Self-discipline balances the willfulness in me giving me a real but hopeful perception. My mother always disciplined me but,she knew that she needed to give me room to grow as a person. Her discipline on me taught me about my vulnerable side and my tough side. Ambition is driven by willfulness and self-discipline. I think of myself as a realist, I put matters into perspective so I am aware of what I can and can not do. Ambition supports my views to achieve. Ambition gives me direction in what I move towards. Determination is a steps process.

Determination is a vital skill for college because of the many components that support the definition--firmness of purpose. I believe I become more determined as life becomes more difficult. I was born with willfulness, I learned self-discipline, and I combined my skills of willfulness and self-discipline to move towards the last step in determination. Ambition. My combination of the skills make up the most rewarding skill of all for, determination.