How do I get started with writing my college essay?
Each time I sit down to write my college essay, I just stare at the blank screen and feel totally stuck. I know I should probably write about something meaningful to me, but I'm not sure what's interesting enough or what colleges are even looking for.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you finally get moving? I’m scared I’ll waste time writing about the wrong topic or that my essay won’t stand out. I want it to reflect my personality, but I also feel like there’s so much pressure to make it perfect.
What are some first steps to actually getting words on the page? Would it help to free-write or brainstorm random stories from my life, or should I just start with the Common App prompts?
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you finally get moving? I’m scared I’ll waste time writing about the wrong topic or that my essay won’t stand out. I want it to reflect my personality, but I also feel like there’s so much pressure to make it perfect.
What are some first steps to actually getting words on the page? Would it help to free-write or brainstorm random stories from my life, or should I just start with the Common App prompts?
2 weeks ago
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5 views
Anonymous
2 weeks ago
You’re definitely not alone—staring at a blank page is an almost universal first step in college essay writing! The important thing is to break through the pressure and start generating ideas before worrying about perfection.
Here’s a good way to start:
First, set aside the idea that your topic has to be the most extraordinary thing ever. What makes a story interesting is your genuine voice and personal insight, not necessarily the event itself. Sometimes the everyday moments—the shared joke over dinner, the challenge of a summer job, or even your reaction to a small setback—say the most about who you are.
Start by jotting down a list of moments from your life that you remember vividly. Try to cover different moods and settings: a time you felt proud, scared, challenged, embarrassed, excited, or inspired. These don’t have to be huge milestones; maybe you remember the feeling of fixing your bike for the first time, or helping a younger sibling handle frustration with homework. Aim for at least 10 moments, no matter how random they feel.
Once you have that list, pick one or two to explore through free-writing. Don’t worry about the Common App prompts yet—just spend 10-15 minutes describing the memory, how you felt, what you did, and what you learned or realized (even if it’s something small). The key is to write quickly and without judgment to loosen up your thinking. Later, you can see which stories spark the strongest emotions or ideas, and match them to a prompt.
For example, maybe you always made Sunday pancakes with your grandmother. Through that, you could explore cultural traditions, perseverance (if you messed up the recipe at first!), or the bond you built together—rather than just listing your love of cooking.
It’s also normal to need several tries before you find a narrative that clicks. Most successful essays come from drafts that start messy, get off-topic, or even flop. The important thing is to start writing, get something down, and then shape it later with feedback and revision.
In short: brainstorm memorable moments, free-write about a few, then see which stories help show your personality. Don’t worry about standing out yet; focus first on being honest and thoughtful. Once you get going, refining your message will be much easier!
Here’s a good way to start:
First, set aside the idea that your topic has to be the most extraordinary thing ever. What makes a story interesting is your genuine voice and personal insight, not necessarily the event itself. Sometimes the everyday moments—the shared joke over dinner, the challenge of a summer job, or even your reaction to a small setback—say the most about who you are.
Start by jotting down a list of moments from your life that you remember vividly. Try to cover different moods and settings: a time you felt proud, scared, challenged, embarrassed, excited, or inspired. These don’t have to be huge milestones; maybe you remember the feeling of fixing your bike for the first time, or helping a younger sibling handle frustration with homework. Aim for at least 10 moments, no matter how random they feel.
Once you have that list, pick one or two to explore through free-writing. Don’t worry about the Common App prompts yet—just spend 10-15 minutes describing the memory, how you felt, what you did, and what you learned or realized (even if it’s something small). The key is to write quickly and without judgment to loosen up your thinking. Later, you can see which stories spark the strongest emotions or ideas, and match them to a prompt.
For example, maybe you always made Sunday pancakes with your grandmother. Through that, you could explore cultural traditions, perseverance (if you messed up the recipe at first!), or the bond you built together—rather than just listing your love of cooking.
It’s also normal to need several tries before you find a narrative that clicks. Most successful essays come from drafts that start messy, get off-topic, or even flop. The important thing is to start writing, get something down, and then shape it later with feedback and revision.
In short: brainstorm memorable moments, free-write about a few, then see which stories help show your personality. Don’t worry about standing out yet; focus first on being honest and thoughtful. Once you get going, refining your message will be much easier!
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