How do I brainstorm 'values' for my college essays like College Essay Guy suggests?

Thinking about 'values' for your essay can feel broad, but it can help a lot to approach this as what truly matters most to you—not what you think you should list, but what actually shapes your choices, friendships, or what you spend extra energy and attention on. Values are typically core principles or ideals that guide your behavior. Honesty and curiosity both count, but you’re right, if that’s all you say it can sound generic unless you connect them clearly to your life.

What helped many students is starting with specific memories or moments that made a big impact on them. Instead of just picking 'values' from a list, think of a time you made a tough decision, had a big conflict, or went out of your way for something or someone. Then ask: Why did I act that way? What was at stake for me? For example, maybe you once stood up for a friend when it was unpopular—maybe that points to loyalty, integrity, or courage as values. Or perhaps you’ve always been the person in your family who organizes events or fixes problems—that could hint at responsibility, leadership, or service.

Another way is to try listing out 5-10 moments you’re proud of or times you felt happiest, then jot down a word or two to describe why. For example: 'Studied late to master a coding challenge for robotics team — perseverance, curiosity.' Or, 'Helped neighbor teach English — empathy, generosity.'

Getting specific is key, even if you use a common value. Instead of just saying 'curiosity,' you can show how you spent weekends building tiny wind turbines in your garage, or 'community' could mean how you organized an after-school tutoring group for new students. The originality comes from your context, not just the word itself.

In summary:
- Start with your own experiences instead of a generic list.
- Use memories or actions to figure out which values consistently pop up.
- Don’t stress about whether they seem too basic; the signature is in your story, not the value label itself.

If you want a tangible exercise, try mapping out 3-5 moments of challenge, decision, or impact in your life and write a sentence about what mattered to you most, then circle the value that shows up. That’ll help your essay stay authentic and personal.