Not Learning - Leadership by Sarah
Sarahof Salisbury 's entry into Varsity Tutor's March 2015 scholarship contest
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Not Learning - Leadership by Sarah - March 2015 Scholarship Essay
One thing that we are taught from a very small age is how to learn. We are taught how to memorize things to pass a test and move on to “bigger and better things”. What very few are taught is how to be a good quality leader; something that once learned is a lifelong skill that can never be forgotten or lost.
Colleges can see a long list of things when application season begins, that really, anyone can have. Top schools get the same type of people all the time: high GPA and rank, excellent SAT score, clubs, sport(s), and volunteer work. Having leadership roles in the student organizations that one is involved with is important because it shows that they were actually involved - not just a passive member. When it comes to extracurricular, quality of involvement is more important than the number of activities you were involved with.
Anyone can attend a meeting or two and be able to list that they were involved with an organization on their resume, but it's more impressive to show that you were willing to step up, assume a leadership role, and show real dedicated effort and involvement with an activity/organization.
Leadership is not just good for getting into college, but it is good for helping the person to get through some of the complications that college can bring. One of the best things leadership can do is help a person to make quick decisions on something difficult. According to an article on the University of Baltimore’s website written by Professor Hossein Arsham, the first requisite of success is to possess the ability to focus your physical and mental energies on a particular decision without becoming discouraged. Leadership skills help you make critical decisions and set clear goals for your organization.
With the many positive outcome leadership can bring in college, why are we not teaching this from a younger age. Why are we so focused on learning something for a short time instead of learning skills for a lifetime?
