My Soft Skills by Clementine

My Soft Skills by Clementine - February 2023 Scholarship Essay

In my opinion, soft skills like empathy, close listening and a growth mindset are really central to being a happy and successful person. The term “soft” is apropos, though, in the sense that many of these skills have to do with being open, rather than rigid, in your relationship to others. To me, the most valuable soft skill a person can have is an open mind. In any dynamic, whether it be with a peer, administrator, partner, or best friend, it's hard to grow a relationship when you are not open to the possibility of that dynamic being productive. Being open to the idea that first impressions may not give the whole picture can yield really productive relationships, often with people and ideas you might not have been privy to if you had decided at the get- go that they weren’t for you. Over and over again, I’ve found that I’ve learned from something or someone that doesn’t initially feel like the right fit. In fact, I read in the New York Times recently that the number one driver of student success is their attitude. In “The Key to Success in College is So Simple, It’s Almost Never Mentioned”, Jonathan Malesic writes that a “simple willingness to learn” and the belief that your abilities can grow are major factors that drive student success.

Ever since I was little, I have struggled with Math. I was diagnosed last year with Dyscalculia, which explained my many years of comprehension struggles in Math-oriented areas. However, my diagnosis did not change the fact that I had to continue with the subject. I was forced to grapple with content that I could barely process, yet I was being assessed on my understanding. However, with the help of my teachers, administrators, and parents, I was able to complete my studies with a sufficient grade. I found that my tenacity didn’t make me better at Math, honestly, but it did teach me that I have grit. Another example of how an open mind has positively impacted me is when I was in middle school. I attended a very small, alternative private school that was centered around the idea of being connected with nature. Every year, we had to go on three backpacking trips, something I often dreaded. I went in with an open mind, though, and it ended up opening a whole new world. I now need to get out in nature all the time, and I attribute this to the grueling backpacking trips we took. I completed tumultuous hikes with people that I call my best friends to this day, learned about the nature and terrain of the Pacific Northwest, and gained life skills I will continue to use until I grow old. If I hadn't had an open mind and willingness to experience new things, I likely wouldn't have ever found my love of nature.

Finally, in my opinion, part of a successful education is being well- rounded, and having a balance of academics and strong ties with friends. In all of my closest relationships, I aim to go into them with a mindset that I could learn something. Every person you meet has their own unique perspective, one that could expand your thinking in ways you can’t even imagine. I’m proud of my flexible mind, in a belief in my growth and am excited to see where college, along with these soft skills, take me.