Perspectives on transferring to university

Success means achieving something unique through the efforts of an individual -- even in the face of adversity. Success isn't measured by heights attained, but by obstacles overcome. I understand this sort of success as the very essence of individualism. Failure in these terms means conforming to the dictates of convention and never attempting to do anything that is independent or unique. Therefore success is not necessarily defined by the applause of society, but rather by the intrinsic worth of that success when it meets the highest standards of individual striving. As is often the case, achieving true success sometimes means going against conventions and in forgoing societal or egotistical rewards. In order to attain success one has to sometimes sacrifice immediate gratification.

Experience has taught me that a positive attitude is a matter of personal choice and a vital ingredient to achieving success. Who and what we are today is as a direct result of the choices we made yesterday -- while the outcome of future endeavors is wholly dependent on the choices we make today. To succeed in life one must confront problems as challenges and opportunities. Thus, the measure of success is, from my point-of-view, the degree to which one follows what seems right and correct to oneself, without deviation. An example of the concept of success that I an referring to can be found in the character of Howard Roark in Ayan Rand's Novel The Fountainhead.

The essential conflict in The Fountainhead is between individualism and collectivism. The figure of Roark is a symbol of the creative individual in opposition to the collectivism of the masses. In other words, the author was proposing a philosophy similar to the idea of success suggested above, which emphasized that the creative person needs to be separate and non- conformist relative to the needs and demands of the collective society. This sense of conviction and direction is necessary in order to achieve "greatness" and to truly be an individual. This is also important for society, as Rand sees it.

Individualism regards man - every man or women - as an independent, sovereign entity who possesses an inalienable right to his own life; a right derived from his nature as a rational being. Individualism holds that a civilized society, or any form of association, cooperation or peaceful coexistence among human beings, can be achieved only on the basis of the recognition of individual rights - and that a group, as such, has no rights other than the individual rights of its members. (From: Racism, The Virtue of Selfishness, by Ayn Rand, C. 1964.) (AYN RAND & OBJECTIVISM DEFINE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS)

Collectivism on the other hand refers to the opposite view of society. This view emphasizes that the collective or group is more important than the individual. "Collectivism is the theory that the group (the collective) has primacy over the individual." (ibid)

This theory affects the conduct of the characters in the novel. Roark is continually in conflict with the demands of society and with those who would like him to conform. He refuses to take part in any project that does not meet his standards. Both Keating and Wynand are to different degrees slaves to society, either through greed and materialism or through weakness. Dominique is also in conflict with society and against the collective nature that she sees around her. All the characters take part in the attempt, epitomized by the main characters, to achieve individuality in a society that demands conformity to the collective.

The attitude expressed in the work and represented in the character of Roark goes some way to expressing my concept of true success. Achieving success is often a difficult path and this difficulty is often created by the opposition to new and innovative ideas from society. Neither does success necessary mean immediate reward or even praise from one's peers. Success is about the heart. It is about following that which is correct in the individual heart -- and not allowing others to lead you astray.