How do you come up with a good topic for your college essay?

You’re definitely not alone—this is a super common worry, and honestly, most students don’t have some earth-shattering event or dramatic story to share. College essays aren’t about who has had the wildest life experiences! Admissions officers are really looking for genuine reflections and insight into who you are.

A good way to start is by thinking small, rather than feeling pressure to find some huge, life-defining event. Consider everyday moments that have stuck with you because they say something about your values, your quirks, or the way you see the world. Sometimes the best essays come from seemingly routine topics—it’s all about your perspective and what you learned.

Here are some brainstorming tips that might help:
- Make a list of things you care about: What gets you fired up or makes you happy, even in small ways? (For example: making playlists with your sibling, solving a tricky math problem, or organizing pick-up soccer games for friends.)
- Think about ‘firsts’ or ‘lasts’: The first time you did something on your own, the last game of a season, or the first time you questioned something you always accepted.
- Ask family or close friends if there are stories about you they remember—sometimes what stands out to others will surprise you.

Here’s an example: One student wrote about the quirky family tradition of making elaborate birthday breakfasts, and what these mornings revealed about her family dynamics and her role as the peacemaker. Another student wrote about folding origami cranes during study hall as a way to manage anxiety—a super specific habit that showed her creativity and self-awareness.

You mentioned soccer and volunteering. Maybe you could zoom in on a single moment, like the first time you stepped up to lead a team warm-up, or a small interaction during volunteering that made you think differently about community. Even a moment of doubt or an unexpected challenge can be compelling if you show how you responded and what you took from it.

Ultimately, a good topic doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be yours. Choose something that lets you explore a side of yourself that matters to you. And remember, it’s your unique voice and reflection, not the ‘bigness’ of the event, that makes an essay stand out.