What are some strategies for coming up with a college essay topic?

You're definitely not alone in feeling stuck. It's easy to believe you need to have a wild, dramatic experience to stand out, but that's actually not the case. Some of the most compelling college essays come from everyday moments that reveal your personality, values, or the way you see the world.

A great way to start is by remembering that admissions officers want to get to know you, not just your accomplishments. Think smaller and focus on moments or details that feel personal and specific to you. Try these strategies:

1. Make a "values list." Write down what really matters to you—could be kindness, curiosity, family traditions, independence, or creativity. Then, jot down times when those values showed up in your life, even in small, everyday moments. Maybe you have a ritual of baking with your grandmother every Saturday, or you always bike the long way home because you like the scenery.

2. Try a "day in the life" exercise. Walk through a typical day for you—morning routines, something that makes you laugh, a habit you have, or a challenge you deal with regularly. Sometimes a seemingly mundane activity can become the heart of a great essay because of what it reveals. For example, a student once wrote a standout essay about constantly fixing things around the house to help his single mom, and what it taught him about perseverance and resourcefulness.

3. Reflect on specific moments. Think about a time you felt real emotion: proud, frustrated, challenged, surprised. It doesn’t need to be a big achievement. For instance, writing about the moment you taught your younger sibling to ride a bike and what you learned about patience could say a lot about you.

4. Ask friends and family. Sometimes others notice things about us that we overlook. Ask people you trust, "When have you seen me at my best? What quirky traits or little stories make you think of me?"

Most students get their topic ideas after jotting down lots of little stories or by talking them through. Don’t worry too much about being earth-shatteringly unique—a small, honest moment can be more interesting than you realize. If you start with what feels true to you, you’ll be heading in the right direction.

Once you get started, you might find your topic comes naturally. Try not to judge your ideas as you brainstorm—just let the ideas flow, and you'll likely discover you've got more 'essay material' than you thought!