Achieving Success in a Higher Education Environment by Kasey

Achieving Success in a Higher Education Environment by Kasey - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

A successful college experience can be attained by anyone who is willing to utilize their individual talents and forge a unique path into their desired career. Based upon my own brief experience in college, many students believe that they have to have incredible leadership skills to be as successful as they can be by the time graduation arrives. Leadership skills are not necessary for success in most places, especially college. College is the place to learn and grow within an environment including one's peers, instructors, and advisors. Success in college depends on an individual's thirst for knowledge and capability to strive to overcome the obstacles that day-to-day life presents. Teamwork and adaptability, I would say, are the most important skills necessary for college success.

Leadership skills do not make or break a student's college experience because leading is not everyone's calling, nor is it required by every career. All jobs and situations in life outside of and after college do, however, require an individual to be able to adapt and work as a team with their co-workers, boss, and even family. Passion for a subject or field of study is also a prevalent factor in driving a student to the peak of success. Without any interest, there can be no real success, even with the perfect GPA. If nothing is learned at the end of the day, there has been no success or improvement.

There are many people who are leaders, and there are many more who carry out the ground work with as much efficiency and hard work. While leadership skills can never hurt, they are most certainly not necessary. The only requirement for success is the need and aspiration to learn. Without that, college success is unachievable.