How do you come up with unique personal college essay topics?

Feeling stuck and staring at a blank doc is actually a common part of this process—most people don’t start with a lightning bolt idea. The key is shifting your focus from trying to be completely unique (which is tough; most life experiences are shared by others in some way) to being specific and authentic. Even a "basic" idea can be totally your own if it’s told with detail, insight, and your personal voice.

Start by asking yourself: what’s something small that changed the way you see things? Sometimes the best essays come from everyday moments rather than dramatic events. For example, maybe you grew up cooking a traditional dish every Sunday with your grandmother. You could write about one particular Sunday when something went hilariously wrong in the kitchen, but that led to a deeper conversation about family traditions and identity. Focusing on this one slice of life allows you to share a specific story and also reflect on why it matters to you.

Brainstorming exercises help a lot here. Here are a few that people find helpful:

- List three objects in your room and freewrite about the memory attached to each.
- Think about a time you changed your mind about something important.
- Recall a moment when you felt out of place or challenged, and what you did next.

When I wrote my essay, I started by jotting down odd memorable moments—like the time I spent a summer fixing old bikes in my garage because all my friends were away. That led to a story about persistence and finding joy in small victories. It was a tiny part of my life, but it let me show how I approach problems and find meaning in unexpected places.

One last thing: if a topic feels like it could only belong to you, even if it’s not a huge event, you’re on the right track. Don’t be afraid for your subject to "feel" small—what matters is how you write about it and what it says about you. Try writing a few paragraphs on different ideas and see which one you keep thinking about. Sometimes just getting started anywhere will unlock the right story.