Is it a good idea to write my college essay about my experience with anxiety?

Question

I've been thinking a lot about what I want to write about for my main college essay, and anxiety is something that has really affected me during high school. I've heard mixed things—some people say it's too common and colleges will be tired of seeing it, while others say if it's authentic and shows growth it can work.

I don't want to come across as negative or like I'm just complaining, but dealing with anxiety has definitely shaped how I approach challenges, schoolwork, and relationships. Should I still consider this topic, or would it be better to write about something else? Any advice from people who've done this before would really help.

I'm feeling a bit lost and just want to make sure I'm making the best choice for my application.

Accepted Answer

Writing about your experience with anxiety can absolutely work for a college essay, but you're right to think carefully about how you approach it. The key is making sure your essay isn't just a list of struggles or general reflections on anxiety, but rather a story about you—how you've grown, and more importantly, how you respond to adversity.

Colleges are looking for self-awareness, resilience, and personal insight. If you choose to write about anxiety, you'll want to focus on specific moments that show your character evolving. For example, instead of talking broadly about feeling anxious in school, you might share a moment when anxiety almost stopped you from participating in class, but you found a small strategy that helped you speak up—then discuss how that experience led to bigger changes later on. Concrete actions and changes in mindset are what make these stories stand out.

It also helps to tie your story back to the present. Briefly show how this struggle has shaped your goals, relationships, or outlook moving forward. Instead of leaving the essay with "and now I still deal with it," you could end with "now, I mentor freshmen who struggle with nerves, helping them find community just as I did."

One thing to avoid is focusing too much on the anxiety itself or making it the core of your identity—colleges want to see you as more than your challenges. You want your voice and personality to shine through as someone who is proactive and self-reflective.

For example, a student once wrote about how her anxiety pushed her to create a school-wide mindfulness club. Rather than dwelling on her internal struggles, she showed her journey from private challenges to public leadership, demonstrating initiative and empathy.

If you feel this topic is truly defining for you and you can show specific ways you've grown or changed, go ahead with it! Just remember to center your essay on your actions, insights, and growth—not just the struggle itself.

If you want to brainstorm more angles or get feedback on a draft, that's definitely something you can seek out as well to make sure you're hitting the right note.

Is it a good idea to write my college essay about my experience with anxiety?

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