What should I do if I have nothing interesting to write about for my college essay?

It's actually really common to feel like your life isn't "dramatic" enough for a college essay. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, and many of the most memorable ones start off rooted in the everyday—what matters is how you use personal reflection to bring out meaning in your experiences.

You don't need a life-altering event to write a compelling essay. Think more about the small moments or routines that reveal something about your values, personality, or curiosity. Sometimes focusing on a very specific detail—like a Friday night family game, tuning your guitar, or a quirky tradition in your small town—can act as a lens to illustrate who you are and what matters to you. The ordinary becomes extraordinary if you show insight, humor, or growth.

For example, one successful student wrote about repeatedly organizing her family's spice rack, which led her to reflect on order, chaos, and how she finds comfort and connection in small acts. Another wrote about teaching himself to play a difficult song on guitar, and what it taught him about persistence, frustration, and joy in progress over perfection.

To dig deeper, jot down small moments from your week that stand out: a disagreement with a friend, an awkward performance, an unexpected laugh at dinner, or even a mistake you made. Then ask yourself: What did this moment teach me? Did it reinforce or challenge a belief I hold? Did it change how I relate to others, or to myself?

Try writing a paragraph about why you love a particular hobby or place. Don't worry if it seems "ordinary"—focus instead on the sensory details and your honest emotions or questions. Let your natural voice come through. Colleges are interested in your self-awareness, reflection, and ability to connect seemingly little moments to bigger themes about yourself.

In short: Focus more on how you write about your topic than on how "big" your story is. Your everyday life has more depth than you think, and sometimes the most "ordinary" essays reveal the most genuine sense of a student.