If you are reading this, then you are definitely a student leader. I know this because you take initiative. As part of your school's Honor Society or Student Government, you are a member who cares. You log on to this website and try to help your chapter or council. You, by every definition, are a student leader.

As a student leader, you have attributes that are very valuable. You may be quiet, loud, expressive, or hidden, but as far as leadership goes, you've got it handled. Most council and honor society members are balancing other hobbies too, so those of you like that have even more valuable traits. Here's a hint for college and scholarship applications your senior year- Take Advantage of your abilities!

Many colleges love those very attributes that make you the leader you are. They want to tell people that they have the most successful graduates, and they know you will be one of them. They want YOU to go to their school. They want you, because of your skills as a leader, bad enough to give you scholarships. It is the best of both worlds: Doing what you love and getting money for it. Here's how you go about it-

1. Apply early to colleges (before October ends). By applying early enough, you can be considered for the most prestigious scholarships. As a student leader, you may have those coming.

2. Apply to any college you might like or consider, even if you don't know it yet. This will help you to keep your options open. You never know what you may want. For example, I half filled out the MSU application earlier in the school year and quit. I didn't think I'd ever want to go there, but today I saw it for the first time. It was amazing, and I just learned that I missed the big scholarship consideration deadline. BUMMER!

3. Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. You are a leader. Tell them everything you are involved in, every award, and every honor. I am sure they value those things just as much as your mom and dad do.

4. Do it, even if it's a pain. Go to every scholarship competition you are invited to. You may be just what they are looking for. Plus, you may surprise yourself with the results! With competitions, you are walking in with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Senior year can be taxing. It is stressful and hectic, but in the end it will be worth it. Why not try? Isn't that in the definition of leading?