Is writing my college essay about 'time' too broad of a topic?
I'm thinking about centering my college essay around the theme of time—how my perception of it has changed during high school, especially with the pandemic and balancing sports, academics, and family responsibilities. I have some ideas, like describing important moments where time felt slow or fast and what I learned from that. But I'm worried this might be too broad or generic. Has anyone else tried writing about something like this and made it more personal? Any tips on narrowing it down or making sure it stands out would be really appreciated. I'm kind of stuck on what angle to take so any advice would help.
4 months ago
•
11 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Focusing your college essay on the concept of 'time' can be risky if handled too broadly, but it has the potential to be engaging if you can ground it in very specific, personal experiences. Admissions officers want to see how you think, what matters to you, and how you’ve grown. A general reflection on time passing or how busy you felt won't stand out by itself.
Instead, try zooming in on a particular moment that changed your perception of time—a sharp memory rather than a vague summary. For example, maybe there was a night during the pandemic when you felt overwhelmed juggling homework and helping a sibling, and you realized you needed to re-prioritize what truly matters. Telling the story of that exact evening, with sensory details (what you heard, saw, felt), can anchor the idea of time in something real.
Think about a "turning point" or a single day that captures your dilemma. Maybe you missed a crucial soccer game to watch your younger brother while your parents worked, and that forced you to rethink what commitment really means. That single moment could illustrate your evolving relationship with time and responsibility much more powerfully than a general overview.
If you want to write about fleeting versus memorable moments, give specific examples. For instance: Describe what it was like waiting alone for important news, noticing every tick of the clock, and contrast that with the blur of adrenaline during a competition.
A helpful approach is to let the theme of time emerge naturally from a story, not as the main subject. Let your actions and reactions in key moments reflect your changed perspective. After sharing a detailed story, use a line or two at the end to tie in how your conception of time has shifted.
To sum up: Don’t make 'time' itself the topic. Use it as a lens for a meaningful story that’s deeply personal to you. The more you focus on one or two vivid experiences, the more memorable your essay will be.
Instead, try zooming in on a particular moment that changed your perception of time—a sharp memory rather than a vague summary. For example, maybe there was a night during the pandemic when you felt overwhelmed juggling homework and helping a sibling, and you realized you needed to re-prioritize what truly matters. Telling the story of that exact evening, with sensory details (what you heard, saw, felt), can anchor the idea of time in something real.
Think about a "turning point" or a single day that captures your dilemma. Maybe you missed a crucial soccer game to watch your younger brother while your parents worked, and that forced you to rethink what commitment really means. That single moment could illustrate your evolving relationship with time and responsibility much more powerfully than a general overview.
If you want to write about fleeting versus memorable moments, give specific examples. For instance: Describe what it was like waiting alone for important news, noticing every tick of the clock, and contrast that with the blur of adrenaline during a competition.
A helpful approach is to let the theme of time emerge naturally from a story, not as the main subject. Let your actions and reactions in key moments reflect your changed perspective. After sharing a detailed story, use a line or two at the end to tie in how your conception of time has shifted.
To sum up: Don’t make 'time' itself the topic. Use it as a lens for a meaningful story that’s deeply personal to you. The more you focus on one or two vivid experiences, the more memorable your essay will be.
Related Questions
Students also ask…
Camille Luong
Nomadic
Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating
5.0 (5 reviews)