The purpose of historical inquiry is not simply to present facts but tosearch for an interpretation of the past. The reason I want to study History issimply that it combines the excitement of exploration and discovery with thesense of reward born from successfully confronting and making sense of complexand challenging problems.History is fascinating because society is constantlyevolving and as a result, the history must evolve with it. I seek enrolment ina program that not only maintains a superb reputation but that will also demandonly the highest quality effort from each of its students. I hope that you areable to give me the privilege of continuing my studies on the level demanded byyour prestigious institution. I have applied all my abilities and diligence togetting into Oxford. My aim has always been to excel in examinations, no matterhow demanding they were. I made sure I achieved straight. As in all aspects ofmy studies.From my strong performance in my A level history exam to my past workexperience, my background and qualifications have given me the skills to succeedin your program.Although school occupies most of my time, I have learnt therewards of contributing towards school life and have been head student for twoyears. I take pleasure in debating issues that are important to me, and as partof my contribution I set up a school debating society. This position hasimproved my leadership, organisational and communication skills and, given methe chance to combine my theoretical knowledge and my interpersonal skills tosuccessfully debate issues closely related to history. Outside of academics, Iam a keen sportsman, competitively playing hockey and football. Last year Iparticipated in the AA regional school athletics finals, achieving firstposition. My other passion is swimming, I have been a member of Warwickshireswimming club for nine years. One of my biggest achievements has been taking theCounty Champion title and crowned the record holder in the mens 200mbutterfly. My swimming practices have also given me the chance to complete mylife guard qualification, enabling me to gain work as a lifeguard. My swimmingability also helps with my interest in scuba diving. Last summer I volunteeredto assist with teaching scuba diving at a school in Italy. This experience wasextremely valuable, improving my communication skills and the appreciation ofdifferent cultures and backgrounds. For years, I have maintained a firmdevotion to history. All of my experiences, coupled with a strong academicbackground, will allow me to embrace studying history at OxfordUniversity. When I looked up leadership in the dictionary, it said that it wasthe capacity to lead and the act or instance of leading. These are two verybroad defnitions of leadership. Many people have different notions of what thisword actually means. When I was challenged to use different items to describewhat leadership actually is, I thought this was going to be a hard and obnoxioustask. What could I learn from comparing leadership to a stuffed animal or arubber chicken? But when I sat down to come up with a couple of answers, Irealized that leadership could be compared to almost anything a personwants.
All I know about leadership I learned from a calculator. A calculator canadd everything together to come up with the best answer. It can delet e what isunnecessary and only include what is important. It can solve any type ofproblem. These are all important equalities a leader has to have. A leader hasto be able to add all of the ideas together to make the best possible plan.Leaders have to know how to decipher the good and the bad out of an idea. Theyhave to be versatile and know how to deal with different types of issues.
All I know about leadership I learned from a ball. A ball is able to bounceback up after it is dropped. It is round and has no creases. A ball can bethrown back and forth to different people. All of these qualities are alsoleadership qualities. A leader has to be ready for every situation that isthrown at him or her. He or she has to be able to bounce back from any setbacksand never dwell on the past. Leaders have to exhibit many qualities and never beclosed-minded about a situation. A leader must be able to delegate when he orshe cannot get the work done. They have to trust everyone they lead to be ableto "catch the ball" and keep a project rolling.
This activity made me realize that being a leader is so much more than justhaving authority and having the ability to take control of a situation. A leaderhas to be trusting of all the people he or she leads and, leaders must be ableto combine ideas into one encompassing idea. They cannot sit in the backgroundand watch events happen; they have to jump in and be involved. They should notdelegate all their responsibilities away.
Leadership is more than what the dictionary says it is.
I learned through all of this that I have many of these qualities.
I have the ability to solve problems, lead through adversity, and beversatile. From answering this question, I realized that I could leadeffectively, even if my leadership style is different from other individuals.When I joined student council in my frst year of high school, I did not havethese qualities because I was never put into a situation where I had to lead. Iwas too reserved to try. When I tried, I learned that I could succeed in this. Idid not realize until I answered this question about leadership. I was neverable to see that being a leader is not just about taking control of a group andtelling everyone what to When I was a freshman, I thoughtleadership was this. I did not know that did not have to be forceful and strict.I stereotyped a leader then. Thisis where I went wrong. A leader is about beingyourself and never letting anyone change you. I thought I had to change to be agood leaderOnly when I expanded my comfort zone did I realize this was nottrueIt only took three years and a silly question/game to fgure this out.