Be a Leader, Not a Follower by William

Be a Leader, Not a Follower by William - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Not only do I feel that leadership skills are necessary for college success, I feel that they are necessary to be able to live a successful life once we receive our degree and enter the big world on our own. We have all had it drilled into our heads for so long, "Don't give in to peer-pressure," or in my personal situation, my father always tells my siblings and I, "Be a leader, not a follower." This simple phrase is something I have lived my life by, and plan to continue to do so as I enter college and beyond.

It is truly a remarkable expression. It is a challenge. A challenge to be the best you can be, and to make decisions because you feel they are right, not because others are telling you to do so. It is that decision to help the girl who dropped her books in the hallway, not walk past and laugh with all your friends. It is that decision to stay in for the evening studying in your dorm room instead of going to the big party two doors down, because you know you have a big exam the next day.

With college comes a lot of responsibility, and with responsibility comes a lot of peer-pressure and distractions. You need to be able to lead yourself in the right direction so that you can accomplish all that you plan to. You need to be able to say no to the things that may guide you in the wrong direction. Not only does this apply to high school or college, but it also applies to every day life.

It is a great feeling to know that not only have you pushed yourself in the right direction, but to know that you have helped others make good decisions as well. Look at some of our nation's greatest leaders, for example. Washington and Lincoln would have been nothing without their troops and loyal supporters. Vince Lombardi would have not been able to win the first Super Bowl without the men he had playing beneath him. The point is, a leader is nothing without the support from those they lead.

I hope to be a great leader, but even the greatest leaders listen. I understand that when I enter college, I will be studying beneath some of the most talented professors whom are very knowledgeable in the fields in which they teach. I plan to take full advantage of this opportunity, and to fill my brain with the knowledge in which they so kindly share. I'm excited to take this knowledge and use it in the real world to hopefully make it a better place, and I as a leader, challenge you to do the same.