Learning to Lead by Leah

Learning to Lead by Leah - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Leading may not come naturally to a lot of people, but everyone has a follower and a leader within them and it’s up to them to decide which one they will let define their actions. Followers may be content to mix in with the crowd, perhaps even setting their dreams aside so as not to feel secluded by their individuality. On the other hand, leaders must have the courage to step away from the crowd, embrace their individuality, and chase their dreams to make them a reality. Leading may be a daunting proposition, but as John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

Learning is a natural part of life. People are who they are today because of what they’ve learned in the past, and the people that they will continue to be or that they will become depends on what they will learn in the future. During their college years people can choose what they want to learn and embrace it whole-heartedly. It is a time filled with opportunities, experiences, and choices that each student can take and use to pave the road to their future. While learning is expected of every college student, leading has become a trait that is not always expected or required.

Some college students may be content with skating by or cruising through their college years to cross to the other side of that road in life, but the students that have the desire and motivation to excel will be the ones who truly get the most out of their college experience. The key to success is within every individual, but each one must make the choice to unlock the doors to their own future. If leading and learning are encouraged simultaneously, students will be able to reach even higher standards and to chase their dreams farther than even they thought possible.