Love is All You Need by Jimmy

Love is All You Need by Jimmy - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

It is said commonly that love knows no bounds. This affiliation with happiness, joy, and progress in society is deemed the one “truth” that each of us hold. Each act of love transcends into other people’s lives. It is contagious in a way that is motivating yet necessary to thrive; thus, love is the core foundation of leadership. Showing the path for others through love and passion is one of the strongest ways to emulate leadership. Therefore, leadership is essential for succeeding in college, which is a high-pressure institution that requires both interdependence amongst peers and a new-found sense of independence.

Let’s start with facts: statistics from the Office of Student Involvement at the University of Central Florida (the school I attend) denotes that students who have “on-campus involvement” are four times less likely to drop out of college than students who do not get involved. As a campus peer mentor, I have witnessed students, those who are apathetic and unmotivated, have the misfortune of being sent home for not meeting school requirements. As well, it is easy to document student leaders - club officers, research partners, and teaching assistants (to name just a few) - achieving higher scholastic goals than they ever dreamed of, despite having more time dedicated to tasks outside the classroom. The habit or mindset of caring about one’s surroundings and possibilities generally puts one in the drivers’ seat for success, especially at such a tender age.

By demonstrating leadership, students network with peers and professionals of all backgrounds and social connections. The more one sticks his/her head out the window of opportunity, the more likely he/she will find a sense of belonging, positivity in college success, and employment in a career. Outstanding leadership acts also earn accolades for students, which can reflected upon in a resume, an interview, or when giving back and sharing learnings and personal journeys to others.

Without leadership, college students would not have the drive that solves problems, changes the world in such crazy ways, and keep their problem-solving spirit alive in face of global challenges. There is not one field of study where leadership is not recognized, because leadership reinforces ones values and character, which is crucial at a time of early independence for college students. To maintain such a rigor requires grit, which has been proven (specifically by Angela Lee Duckworth) to be the leading factor in success in education. Even Abraham Lincoln, often regarded as the greatest leader of all time, said that “commitment is what transforms a promise into reality”. Clearly, acting as a leader over and over again is a main ingredient for success at any institution.

I have concluded that to lead is to love. Much like leadership, showing love spreads values, character, and positivity, something that promotes productivity in and out of the classroom. What objectives for challenges can be solved without such a passion to lead, one that is always inspired by love? Innovation would be taken upon by someone else. Leadership is a revolving door, one that continuously reproduces new leaders. Fortunately, my University campus boasts quality, proven student resources, allowing students like me to flourish and lead others. Without the safety and love provided, it would be more difficult for student leaders like me to return the same. In order for one to be a successful leader, one must have a full heart and an open mind. Leadership even gets you more involved in various aspects of community, where we learn to love our diversity, history, and individual potential. To maintain such a status, one cannot give up the values and inspiration that creates the path for us to lead in the first place.