For College and Beyond by Caitlin

For College and Beyond by Caitlin - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

When thinking of leadership, most picture a person taking charge. A “man with a plan” who is directing others towards a common goal. This is probably the most literal form of leadership, but it is not the only one. A leader is anybody who is brave enough to pave their own path in life, and is confident in their decisions even when there are dissenters. Both of these sets of skills are required for a successful college experience, and a successful life.

Classic leadership skills are very important in the modern world. The majority of 21st century education is centered about the ability to lead and work cooperatively in a group setting. In order to succeed in college, and then subsequently in the real world, one must be able to innovate new ideas and then implement them with the help of your peers. This more traditional sense of leadership will be practiced in college, but to truly excel you must already have experience in this field. College success is dependent in the initiative you are willing to take, and this can only take place with quality leadership skills.

For many, college is the first step in a truly independent life. You are living away from home I a place you have never been, and nearly every decision in your life is on your shoulder. From choices as grand as which classes you should take, to as miniscule as whether or not you should eat ice cream for every meal, it is all in your hands for the first time. This is when it is very important that you remain a strong leader. As you are making these life changing decisions, there will be people around you going through the exact same experience. Your new peers will try to convince you to follow their path, and some will be tempted to follow for that sense of security that comes with comradery. As others begin their life paths, it is important that you lead your own. No two people on the planet are the same, so there is no point on trying to follow somebody else as you establish the foundation for the rest of your life. This skill is important beyond college as well. You must remain the leader of your own life in order to achieve happiness in all of your endeavors. Even though this leadership is not as blatant as its counterpart, this practice is just as important.

Leadership is a required skill to excel in school and in life. You must be able to take charge to lead others, and take charge of yourself to define your own path. By embodying these two definitions, success is inevitable, for everyone.