The Definition of Leadership: Succeeding in College by Eleni

The Definition of Leadership: Succeeding in College by Eleni - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

The characteristics for a "college ready" student vary depending on the person one asks. Some might say that social skills make a student college ready and others might say that it is academics, or study habits, or any number of things. Some people argue that leadership skills are necessary for college success. Before one can adequately decide if this is the case one must define leadership.

People most often connect leadership skills with commanding a crowd, or taking control of a situation. Study habits require knowing material and the situation in which one learns best. Social skills involve communicating with others and often displaying an opinion or idea which can lead to further discussions. To do well academically one must use their resources, whether it is other people, the library, the internet, classes or even notes as tools to control their grade point average. Aren't these all in some way or another connected to dealing with others or controlling a situation, even if it is on a lower level?

Leadership skills are an important tool for college success whether they appear on a personal level or in a group setting. The thing about college is that it allows students to grow as leaders, further developing the skills they already possess. The same skills they use to study for a test, or work in a team setting, or even use socially can in some way be associated with leadership skills. Leadership skills are necessary for college success and success in general, but leadership skills do not always involve taking control of a group they can be as simple as taking the initiative to make a change in ones habits. Great leaders are not always just great speakers, but also great listeners. A person does not have to be a talkative person to be a great leader or to continue to grow their leadership skills throughout their college experience. Anyone who possesses the ambition to succeed, the ability to listen, or the desire to better themselves and others, possess leadership skills which will help them to succeed in college.