"Control" by Brianna

"Control" by Brianna - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

“This is a story about control. My control.” - Janet Jackson “Control”

This quote, taken from Janet Jackson’s “Control”, perfectly sums up what college is about: taking control of one’s own life. For most incoming freshmen, their first semester will be the first time they are in charge. They have the control to decide their schedules, their activities, their classes. It can be exhilarating, and terrifying. All of that freedom can be overwhelming, and without a certain mindset, one of a leader in control, it is too easy to flounder and lose oneself.

To many people, a variety of different characteristics are associated with the word “leader”. However, most of them will include the idea of a leader being the person in charge, the person in control. And to be in control, one must exercise leadership qualities.The freedom college provides allows people to shape their own lives, if they have the right tools.These tools that allow people to take charge are the same ones that allow leaders to lead: confidence, honesty, communication skills, dedication. These tools help one take control.

Leadership qualities are essential to one’s success in college. As college students with a new found freedom, people must replace the former constant authority or leader in their lives. With the absence of a person’s previous authority figures, this freedom creates a sink or swim environment in which students must adapt to find leadership qualities within themselves.

Again, college is a journey to take control of one’s life, and no one can do that better than a leader.