Staying on Track by Erika

Staying on Track by Erika - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

College is the first place for most people where there is no one to say when, where, and what a person should be doing. For most people until they get to college they do not have to think for themselves when it comes to making decisions. Their parents tell them what they can and can not do, teachers tell them what classes they should take, and peer pressure tells them how to act; however, in college students are allowed to make all of their decisions. They get to pick what classes they take, when and if they study, and with whom to be involved. College is one of the biggest tests of how people will do in the “real world”, and just like in the real world, leadership is required if the goal is success.

If you ask a group of people their definition of leadership, each person is going to give a different answer, but chances are they will have one thing in common, someone who has leadership qualities is in control of themselves and their situation in life. This is an extremely important trait to have, especially in college. Transitioning into college life is very difficult for many, they don’t know what to do, where to go, what to believe, or even who to believe, but this is when leadership plays an important role. Someone doesn’t have to be bossy, or rude to be a leader, just confident and in control. Good leaders are not easily persuaded, but when they are presented with a more appropriate proposal, they don’t hesitate to adjust to the new plan in order to maximize the project’s success rate. This same philosophy can be used in everyday life, and can help keep people on track in a very confusing time.

The biggest problem for college students is getting distracted from their studies, and becoming involved with disadvantageous activities, but if someone possesses leadership skills, they are less likely to be persuaded to sway from the path that they know will lead them to success. Leaders can also persuade others to follow their ways, and help them find their own path to success. Leadership skills are critical to have not just in college, but also throughout life. A leader is able to take control of a situation, enable a group to collaborate and produce the best possible outcome. A leader is self confident, but is willing to compromise for the good of the group. Leaders are also willing to venture out on their own when they realize that they have different goals than those of the group. All of these things traits would be beneficial to a college student when encountering the complications of college life.

Having the leadership skills during a students college career can be the difference maker when it comes to graduation. Knowing when to step up and take charge, when to change plans, and simply knowing when to walk away, even if it means walking alone, is a key to success. Being so young and inexperienced, as college students typically are, having a strong foundation in one’s leadership skills can be the difference between standing out and making a difference in the world or blending in with the crowd and living an ordinary life.