How do you brainstorm ideas for your college essay when you're feeling stuck?
Lately, I've been sitting in front of a blank Google Doc trying to come up with a good topic for my college essay. Everything I think of seems too boring or not meaningful enough. How do you get started when it feels like all your ideas are either too generic or don’t say enough about who you are?
I feel like I haven't had a super dramatic event in my life, so I'm not sure what direction to go in. Do people just write about regular activities and somehow make them sound deep, or is there some brainstorming trick I’m missing to get yourself unstuck?
If anyone has suggestions on what worked for them or specific exercises to try, I’d really appreciate it.
I feel like I haven't had a super dramatic event in my life, so I'm not sure what direction to go in. Do people just write about regular activities and somehow make them sound deep, or is there some brainstorming trick I’m missing to get yourself unstuck?
If anyone has suggestions on what worked for them or specific exercises to try, I’d really appreciate it.
6 months ago
•
25 views
Roger Lopez
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Feeling stuck is actually a really common part of starting your college essay, and you definitely aren't alone. A lot of people think their life needs to have some giant, dramatic moment to be worth writing about, but honestly, many great essays come from exploring everyday experiences with a personal angle.
One helpful way to brainstorm is to step back from the idea of finding the 'most interesting' story. Instead, think about small moments or habits that reveal something real about you. For example, have you ever had a weekly ritual with a friend or family member? Did you ever have a moment when your routine got disrupted and you learned something unexpected?
Try this exercise: set a timer for 5 minutes and free-write answers to specific prompts like, 'Describe a moment when you felt out of place,' 'Write about something in your room that means more to you than it might to anyone else,' or 'Explain a challenge you faced that would sound insignificant to others, but felt big to you.' Don’t judge your answers while you write—just get details down. Sometimes, the little things you almost forget about can actually reveal a lot about who you are.
If you're not sure what's meaningful, ask someone close to you what stands out about you. Sometimes friends or family can recall stories or traits you overlook.
Remember, it's less about the grandeur of the event and more about your perspective and what you've learned. Regular activities are totally fine—they just need your voice and honest reflection. Start small, don't pressure yourself to find 'the' perfect moment right away, and let yourself play with a few ideas before deciding what to develop.
One helpful way to brainstorm is to step back from the idea of finding the 'most interesting' story. Instead, think about small moments or habits that reveal something real about you. For example, have you ever had a weekly ritual with a friend or family member? Did you ever have a moment when your routine got disrupted and you learned something unexpected?
Try this exercise: set a timer for 5 minutes and free-write answers to specific prompts like, 'Describe a moment when you felt out of place,' 'Write about something in your room that means more to you than it might to anyone else,' or 'Explain a challenge you faced that would sound insignificant to others, but felt big to you.' Don’t judge your answers while you write—just get details down. Sometimes, the little things you almost forget about can actually reveal a lot about who you are.
If you're not sure what's meaningful, ask someone close to you what stands out about you. Sometimes friends or family can recall stories or traits you overlook.
Remember, it's less about the grandeur of the event and more about your perspective and what you've learned. Regular activities are totally fine—they just need your voice and honest reflection. Start small, don't pressure yourself to find 'the' perfect moment right away, and let yourself play with a few ideas before deciding what to develop.
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Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years