The Evolution of Leadership Skills by Isabella

The Evolution of Leadership Skills by Isabella - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

High school is portrayed as an environment where the strong thrive and the weak don’t. Reminiscent of what Charles Darwin strongly believed in; survival of the fittest. In my experience, high school isn’t a John Hughes film, who you are in those four years does not seal your fate for the rest of your life. Leadership is deemed a positive skill, one that the strong possess. Leadership skills are necessary to fulfill life goals, but not necessarily to be successful in college. Those who possess leadership skills take initiative, don’t easily comply, as well stay motivated. The ‘weak’ in high school don’t have these qualities. Some are natural born leaders, but for most, these skills are obtained. College is the transition period from adolescence to adulthood. The next four years in college are crucial to gain positive attributes and shed negative ones. One doesn’t need to have an ample amount of favorable qualities to be successful in college, because college is where they are acquired and nurtured.

As a high school senior, it is reassuring knowing I can develop my character traits in this new phase of my life. As cliche as the idea of ‘finding yourself’ in college might be, I firmly believe it because I’ve witnessed it. When I was 7, my two brothers were freshman in college. Being twins, they were raised under the same circumstances. At 18, they parted ways to two very different colleges, in two different environments. After their four year, both were more confident, sure of themselves, and leaders. These traits also come with age, but college only amplified them. They were by no means ‘weak’ in high school, but they definitely weren’t the confident and charismatic leaders they were after.

I very much look forward to fostering my pre-existing leadership skills in college, as well as learning new ones. Leadership skills are essential to be successful, but for most, are secured in college. The newfound independence college provides a starting point for the rest of ones life.