How effective are College Essay Guy's essay brainstorming exercises?
I've been trying to start my college essays, but I keep getting stuck on finding a personal story worth telling. I've seen a lot of people recommend the brainstorming activities from College Essay Guy, but I’m not sure if they’d actually help me come up with something unique.
Has anyone here used his brainstorming techniques? Did it help you get past writer’s block, or did you end up going in a different direction? I sometimes worry my life isn't 'interesting' enough for a standout essay and am hoping these exercises might help uncover something good.
Would love to hear success stories or tips on how to get the most out of his prompts!
Has anyone here used his brainstorming techniques? Did it help you get past writer’s block, or did you end up going in a different direction? I sometimes worry my life isn't 'interesting' enough for a standout essay and am hoping these exercises might help uncover something good.
Would love to hear success stories or tips on how to get the most out of his prompts!
7 months ago
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41 views
Anonymous
7 months ago
College Essay Guy's brainstorming exercises are pretty popular for good reason—they're practical, easy to follow, and do a solid job of helping students dig deeper into their experiences. A lot of students feel stuck thinking they need a one-in-a-million story, but these exercises are designed to show you that even everyday moments can be meaningful if you explore them thoughtfully.
For example, the "Essence Objects" exercise asks you to list small, specific objects that are meaningful to you—like an old recipe card, your favorite mug, or even a worn-out pair of headphones. These objects can spark memories and insights you might not have considered before. A student I know used this to write about her dad’s toolbox as a symbol for their relationship, which opened up a unique essay topic that felt truly personal to her.
The "Values Exercise" helps you figure out what matters most to you, which can guide you toward stories that are authentic and reflective of your real self. Not every brainstormed idea leads directly to the final essay, but the process gets you thinking creatively and pushes past writer’s block. At the very least, you’ll have a list of possible topics to choose from, which is way better than starting from scratch and staring at a blank page.
If you want to get the most out of these prompts, take your time with them. Don’t rush—sometimes it helps to talk through your answers with a friend or jot down notes over several days. Even if your life feels "normal," these exercises are great at helping you see the unique details in your own experiences.
Try to be honest and specific in your responses, and don’t be afraid to explore things that initially seem unremarkable. Often, those small moments or seemingly "boring" topics, when unpacked with detail, turn out to be the most memorable essays. For example, instead of writing a generic essay about loving science, one student used the "What’s Your Superpower?" prompt to write about being the go-to family tech fixer—and ended up connecting this to problem-solving skills and patience, which resonated strongly with admissions officers.
Overall, these exercises are worth your time and can definitely help you uncover something meaningful and unique if you commit to them.
For example, the "Essence Objects" exercise asks you to list small, specific objects that are meaningful to you—like an old recipe card, your favorite mug, or even a worn-out pair of headphones. These objects can spark memories and insights you might not have considered before. A student I know used this to write about her dad’s toolbox as a symbol for their relationship, which opened up a unique essay topic that felt truly personal to her.
The "Values Exercise" helps you figure out what matters most to you, which can guide you toward stories that are authentic and reflective of your real self. Not every brainstormed idea leads directly to the final essay, but the process gets you thinking creatively and pushes past writer’s block. At the very least, you’ll have a list of possible topics to choose from, which is way better than starting from scratch and staring at a blank page.
If you want to get the most out of these prompts, take your time with them. Don’t rush—sometimes it helps to talk through your answers with a friend or jot down notes over several days. Even if your life feels "normal," these exercises are great at helping you see the unique details in your own experiences.
Try to be honest and specific in your responses, and don’t be afraid to explore things that initially seem unremarkable. Often, those small moments or seemingly "boring" topics, when unpacked with detail, turn out to be the most memorable essays. For example, instead of writing a generic essay about loving science, one student used the "What’s Your Superpower?" prompt to write about being the go-to family tech fixer—and ended up connecting this to problem-solving skills and patience, which resonated strongly with admissions officers.
Overall, these exercises are worth your time and can definitely help you uncover something meaningful and unique if you commit to them.
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