how to prepare for college life essay

Texas A&M's Silly Surprise Supplemental Essay Requirements: Diversity, Influential Person, Life Event

EDIT 10/25/2021: Texas A&M does not read the essays for their top academic admits, even for engineering.

EDIT 07/06/2022: Texas A&M has discontinued the Diversity short answer for Fall 2023 applicants. They only require Life Event and Person of Influence

Many applicants who rank in the top 10% and score well on the SAT are receiving their positive admissions decisions within a few days of applying. It’s absolutely impossible to conduct holistic review, i.e. reading the entire application and comparing the file against most other applicants, and release decisions so quickly. By contrast, UT-Austin doesn’t release decisions any earlier than late November because the review process takes time. So, Texas A&M is wasting the time of thousands of applicants who will gain admission even if they submitted no essays at all. Shame on their staff for burdening tens of thousands of student and school work hours for essays that won’t be read. I invite any Texas A&M staff to dispel my assertion.

In my new book Surviving the College Admissions Madness , I discuss how applicants are writing more college essays to more universities than at any other time in history. Universities that admit most or all of their applicants based on academics are starting to require essays. Essay requirements are like a computer virus infecting systems everywhere. Their importance and pervasiveness is one reason why blogs like this and admissions consulting services like mine exist.

Every time universities change their essay topics, it drives traffic to my site because I can create new posts like this one. I respond by raising my prices for future families. I feel bad for high school counselors and college advisors whose workload will now increase while their salary remains the same. A colleague of mine at an inner-city school remarked, “Yeah, that’s one reason why I’m looking to move into independent consulting.”

Parents often tell me, “I don’t remember having to write any essays in my college applications, let alone three dozen.” And they’re right. OU, for example, now requires more essays than UT-Austin despite them admitting over 80% of their applicants. Universities are so out of touch with society that you can’t do anything but laugh at this point. This post’s snarky tone reflects the frustrations that families and high school counselors share with me.

Texas A&M for Fall 2022 now requires three short answers, not including an Engineering-specific supplement .

Person Most Impacted: Tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why. Life Event: Describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.

I have strong reason to believe they do not read these essays except for marginal and borderline applicants. It makes me wonder: what’s the point?

My first piece of advice that I discuss later is to simply not answer these questions at all, or write a few sentences and move on. If your academics are above Top Quarter with a 1450, then you’re almost certain to gain admission to TAMU. Don’t worry about these hoops; your time is better spent elsewhere.

These questions are so half-baked and low-effort that it’s like scribbling an answer on a worksheet just before you turn it in since you didn’t bother working on it the night before. A&M is so lazy they don’t bother updating their admissions website. Now tens of thousands of families will stress out over some bureaucrat’s whimsy.

Also, the prompt should read “Describe a life event that you feel has prepared you to be successful in college,” not which . [Insert UT pompous elitism joke here].

Moreover, this prompt dismisses that students will have already written an Essay A “telling their story” that implicitly shows how they will be successful in college. Who imagines this nonsense and thinks it’s a good idea?

More initial thoughts: UT-Austin was the first university to break from Apply Texas essay requirements common to all Texas universities in 2017 when they released three short answer essay topics. Texas A&M, ever in UT’s shadow, followed last year by requiring a surprise question about Diversity (that they’ve since discontinued). UT-Austin released their own set of silly and onerous short answer questions for Fall 2022 . Little brother tries to emulate big brother even when it makes zero sense, especially as UT casts its shadow over their transition to the SEC athletics conference.

Texas A&M will be most high achieving applicants’ second or third choices behind UT-Austin and comparable with UT-Dallas, who has recently gone entirely essay optional, understanding that fewer application barriers means more applicants. Desirable applicants will have even less motivation to want to apply to or enroll at Texas A&M when they erect barriers to apply. TAMU didn’t publish this new topic anywhere on their website, and as of July 2022, they still haven’t published them.

In my many years of serving families, I’ve never had a client get rejected from Texas A&M who was also competitive for UT-Austin. So my first suggestion is…

Don’t write the new essay topics at all

If you’re a high-achieving student ranking in the top 10% of your class and scoring an SAT/ACT 1400 or 31, you could not submit any essays at all and A&M is highly likely to admit you. If you’re outside of the first quarter or scored below a 29 or 1350, then consider putting your best effort forward on these supplements.

Texas A&M’s middle 50% range for test scores is 1160-1390 on the SAT and 26-31 on the ACT.

For many of their programs, they practice “rolling admission” where you get an acceptance a few weeks or less after applying. Rolling admissions, by definition, doesn’t include a holistic review component because there is no way to review apps and offer decisions so quickly. Additionally, holistic review necessarily must wait until most or all applicants are in to compare your “personal achievement score” with the other applicants seeking your same major.

One issue is that Texas A&M representatives tell prospective families, particularly for Engineering, that they need to submit their applications ASAP. Yet they require essays that prevent that from happening. The inconsistencies are boundless.

So my honest advice for this topic and for others is to write a few sentences at most and move on. You’re going to gain admission anyway unless your academics are marginal. Another option is to repurpose a UT-Austin short answer or another university supplement to respond to the prompts. My idealistic hope is if enough applicants opt out of writing the essays by inputting (N/A), then Texas A&M will get the hint that students are unwilling to jump through seemingly endless and unnecessary hoops.

Their recent broadcast to admissions professionals says as much: “We anticipate receiving only a few sentences or at most a paragraph or two for these questions.”

Answering tell us about the person who has most impacted your life and why.

The easiest way to answer this question is to discuss a favorite teacher. Other options could include an orchestra director, choir teacher, sports coach, and so on. You could discuss a family member or grandparent. It doesn’t really matter, honestly, and I don’t know what Texas A&M reviewers hope to gain from asking this question.

Answering describe a life event which you feel has prepared you to be successful in college.

This will probably be the easiest question to repurpose from the UT-Austin short answers or other supplements. I suppose any experience will do, and any of the blog posts that I share can help you share about:

a leadership experience

something related to your major

a time you overcame an obstacle

a favorite project

independent studies

a favorite extracurricular

career plans or ambitions

discussing the environment in which you were raised

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How to Prepare For College in 2024: 10 Essential Tips

Learn how you can prepare for college now to help ease the transition and get ready to thrive as you prepare for college in 2024.

Attending college for the first time is an exciting next step in life, and being prepared can make it all that more fulfilling. From honing your skills, like time management and empathy, to challenging yourself with advanced classes and extracurricular activities, you'll discover numerous ways to ensure you're mentally and emotionally ready for some of your life's most unique and exciting years. 

This guide contains tips on how to prepare for college in 2024. Let’s explore some of the things you can do now to prepare for your adventures. 

How to prepare for college   

College is a critical time in a learner’s life. For many people, it's your first adult experience. It's the time when you choose a career, build knowledge, gain skills, and set goals for your professional future. Preparing helps you navigate all the changes for a smoother transition. Start planning now with these 10 tips.

1. Learn how to study properly.

Many students go to college and find that they need to learn how to study correctly or that the way they studied in high school doesn't exactly work in postsecondary education. The sooner you change your study habits, the more ready you’ll be to face college requirements. Changing your study habits in high school may even help improve your academic performance so that you can get into the college of your choice.

Spread it out rather than trying to do it all in one night: Cramming doesn't help you retain material. Spread your study sessions throughout the semester rather than the night before a big test.

Form a study group: Working together with other students in your classes means you can quiz each other and help each other out when necessary.

Take breaks: You can only learn so much at once. Overdoing it can be counterproductive and increase your stress levels. Make time to rest between study sessions.   

Practice active studying: Simply reading your textbook or notes is ineffective. Active studying means creating a study guide, explaining the material as if you were teaching the class, or continuously working out problems until you understand exactly why the answer is what it is.

Break away from distractions: Where you study is arguably equally important as how you study. Locate a comfortable spot free of distractions to maximize your ability to focus on the material. 

Set a goal and follow through with it: When you start your courses, set a studying goal. It might be something like, "I will study every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m." 

Treat yourself: When you do meet those goals, reward yourself. For example, if you're in the middle of binge-watching a great show, allow yourself to watch an episode if you meet your study goals for the day.  

2. Participate in extracurricular activities.

Universities, colleges, and other learning institutions appreciate seeing extracurricular activities on your application. However, you should choose the ones that truly interest you. Pursue your passions and interests. Get involved with sports or clubs at your school. Volunteer in your community. If you have a hobby or talent that you'd like to explore more, like art, writing, or playing a musical instrument, sign up for classes outside of school or take time to improve upon what you can already do. By choosing the ones you're passionate about, you're likely to stick with them, and they can help build your confidence.

You will also likely build important human skills needed to succeed in college and beyond. For example, you might learn time management skills as you attempt to juggle your academic schedule with your sports practices. Participating in activities can be fun to build communication, collaboration, leadership, and organizational skills. Conducting volunteer work can also help you develop your empathy skills.  

3. Start early.  

Giving yourself ample time by preparing sooner rather than later helps ease the transition ahead. Some students make the mistake of thinking they have to wait until their final year of high school. In reality, you can start as a first-year learner and spend the next four years making sure you are actively preparing for college.

Early on, start thinking about what you want to study and the schools you want to attend. Doing so can help you determine which classes to take in high school. It can also help motivate you to improve your grades or take more challenging courses as you work toward your goals.

If you're still deciding on the school you want to attend, research all available options. You may prefer an in-state public school or a private school across the country. You may want to major in a unique subject that only a select few schools offer. You or your parents may have a specific budget in mind. Find out which schools meet your needs and visit their campuses to see if they're a good fit.

4. Focus on your organization and time management skills.

Two critical human skills you'll need for college are organization and time management skills. Perfecting them before you begin your postsecondary education may help you improve your courses and prevent stress and burnout.

You may improve your organization and time management skills by:

Writing down important dates and deadlines

Creating and sticking to a routine

Setting daily or weekly goals

Asking for help from others when necessary

Making use of productivity apps   

Removing unnecessary distractions from your life

Making checklists

Keeping separate folders for each class 

Taking breaks and finding balance to avoid stress and burnout

5. Come up with a financial plan.   

College is expensive. In addition to tuition, you'll need books and other materials, and unless you're staying home with your parents, you'll need a place to stay, food, transportation, and more. Start looking into scholarships or financial aid. Knowing how you'll pay for it before you actually enroll is a good way to prepare for college.

In addition, understanding how to manage money is essential for entering adult life. Consider taking a money management course or a class that teaches you how to read a bank statement. If possible, get a part-time job while you're in high school. You'll learn more about finances, and you can start saving for your college career. It may also look good on your college application.

6. Consider what you want to do with your life.  

You don't have to know what you want to do with your life in high school or even in college, but if you have an idea of a major or career that interests you, this can help you prepare. If your school offers career planning resources, take advantage of them. When choosing your high school classes, take those that may help prepare you for a particular major or career.

For example, if you want to become a nurse or doctor, take as many science classes as possible. If you want to be an engineer, add some additional math classes to your curriculum. Even if you are still deciding on a career, diversifying your high school course load can also help prepare you. You may even discover a new subject that interests you.

7. Get to know your school counselor.

Your high school counselor is usually an excellent source for all things college-related. They know what schools want from applicants and can help you plan ahead. They can guide you regarding which classes you should take, how to improve your academic performance, and which college or postsecondary option suits your needs and goals. Harvard University suggests scheduling a meeting with your counselor during your sophomore year to discuss your options [ 1 ].

8. Challenge yourself.

Colleges look at the type of classes you took in high school as much as they do the grades you made in those classes. Taking and doing well in advanced placement (AP), honors classes, and challenging electives can impress an admissions committee. Taking these more challenging courses can also help prepare you for the more rigorous nature of many college courses. 

9. Search for mentors.  

Reach out and ask for help from people who have been there before and want to help you succeed. Admissions counselors, guidance counselors, alumni from the school you wish to attend, people who work in your chosen career field, teachers, and coaches—many of these people can provide you with some guidance and tips for preparing for and applying to college and ensuring your college career flourishes. They may even be able to provide you with letters of recommendation that you can use as part of your application. 

10.  Prepare for standardized testing. 

For many college students, your SAT or ACT scores are an important deciding factor for admissions committees. You'll typically take these standardized tests during your junior year, but you can start preparing for them even sooner. Taking advantage of opportunities like the PSAT can help you better understand how you'll do on the test. 

Try the following tips to prepare for the SAT or ACT: 

Take an SAT or ACT prep class

Make sure you fully understand the test format

Follow a study schedule

Enhance your vocabulary

Read regularly to improve your comprehension skills 

P ractice writing essays

Take practice tests 

Focus on your weaker topics when you study

Set a target score based on your college's preferred range

Getting started with Coursera 

In addition to what your high school offers, consider taking college preparatory classes online. On Coursera, you'll find many options from highly-regarded educational institutions across various subjects. For example, you can sharpen your communication and academic skills with English and Academic Preparation—Pre-Collegiate , offered by Rice University. Or you can get more study tips and hone your abilities with Study Skills for University Success from the University of California, Irvine.  

Article sources

Harvard Summer School. " How to Prepare for College in High School , https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-prepare-for-college-in-high-school/." Accessed February 26, 2024.  

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

1.2 Your Academic Journey and Personal Story

Questions to Consider:

• How can your academic journey develop skills needed for college success?
• How can your personal story prepare you for applying to college?

Your Academic Journey

Now that you have a better understanding of what college can do for you, it is time to focus on how high school is preparing you for college, or better yet, how you can prepare yourself in high school to become college ready. It is clear that what you do (or don’t do) in high school can affect your ability to get into the colleges of your choice, but there is more to preparing yourself than just earning a high GPA or class rank. Your high school education can provide you with ample opportunity to help you hone your academic skills.

Take Difficult Courses

Any student who is serious about applying to college should consider taking challenging classes while in high school. Why? Because those classes can help lay a foundation of high expectations and hard work and they are often highly regarded by college admissions counselors. These classes are sometimes called Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or honors/advanced classes. If you are considering taking such courses, talk to your guidance counselor or current teachers. They may be able to offer suggestions for how to get selected (if there is an application process) and give you a realistic picture of what will be expected. There is no need to take all AP, IB, or advanced classes to prove you are ready for college, but taking a few can provide a college admissions committee evidence that you are open to challenge.

Manage Time and Tasks

If there is one skill that you can develop now that will help you throughout your college career, it is the ability to manage your time and complete tasks. If you already use a planner to track what you need to do and when it is due , then you are on the right track. You can enhance these skills by setting reminders for yourself—and not relying on teachers or parents to tell you when to complete or submit an assignment. The most important part of managing your time and tasks effectively is to build in time well before something is due to complete the work and to overestimate (at least initially) how long you need, which can provide time “buffers” that will keep you from rushing through work to finish it.

Learn to Learn

Earlier, you were introduced to the argument that the purpose of college is to become a learner. You don’t have to wait until college, though, to figure out how best to learn different subject matters. This is one reason you should consider taking challenging classes–they require that you put more time and effort in them to learn the material. And those skills will make transitioning to college much easier. How can you “learn to learn”? You may have little control over what you are learning and how you are tested, but you can control how you approach the learning. One way to learn how to learn is to space out your learning over time (as best as you can—sometimes teachers like to give you a pop quiz when you least expect it!). Reviewing a bit of material for a short amount of time over several days (as opposed to cramming it in right before a test) produces better results. Another way to learn how to learn is to monitor how well your learning strategies work. Did you do well on a test? Take some time to reflect on what you did that resulted in a good grade. Did you space out your studying? Did you look for connections in the material? Likewise, if you do poorly on a test, determine what led to the result. The more you can identify what works and doesn’t for you, the easier it is to make improvements in your learning strategies.

Demonstrate Integrity and Ownership of Learning

Being a high school student often means having a lot on your plate. It can be easy to put off homework and studying, not do it at all, or cut corners to complete the work. While you may be able to get away with some stumbles like forgetting to turn in an assignment, other behaviors, such as getting someone (including Artificial Intelligence software) to do your homework or write a paper for you can get you into trouble. Now is the time to build the skills you will need later in college. Taking full responsibility for your learning as well as demonstrating integrity in all assignments no matter how big or small are the foundation of those skills. How do you do this? For one, you acknowledge that every action or inaction will produce a result. If you put in the work to write the paper, you will earn the grade you receive. If you do not put in the work or find a way to shortcut the process by using someone else’s writing, then you have missed an opportunity to improve your writing, your thinking, and your project management skills. Plus, you may get into trouble for academic dishonesty, which could mean failing an assignment or a course, or getting a more substantial punishment, such as expulsion. The stakes only get higher when you are in college.

Keep Test Scores in Perspective

You will learn more about standardized test scores and their purpose for getting into college later in this chapter, but it is worth noting that while what you make on the ACT, SAT, or equivalent standardized test, may factor into your ability to get into and pay for the college of your dreams, it is not necessarily a reflection of who you are and what you are capable of. Definitely do all you can to raise your test scores through practicing, prepping, and doing your best on the day of the test. But do not assume that a low test score will be the end of your long-term goals or educational journey. They are just one piece of information by which an institution may evaluate your potential, but it shouldn’t be the only thing that tells who you are.

Your Personal Story

Just as important as your academic journey is your personal story. You will need to develop and reflect on both for your applications to college and scholarships. Those who read about you will want to know not only about your accomplishments, but also your challenges and how you have overcome them.

What Makes You Unique

It may seem cliché to say “There is only one you!” But there is some truth in the fact that you are unique—there is no one else like you. To that end, you may want to draw upon those unique characteristics as you begin to shape the story that you will share with college admissions staff and scholarship committees. Will you be the first in your family to go to college? Do you live on a working farm and feed the goats, cows, and horses every morning before school? Can you ride a unicycle or juggle or both? There may be both personal characteristics as well as experiences that make you stand out from others, and if there are, consider weaving these details into the tapestry of your story. Start by making a list of your characteristics—no trait is too small or typical at this point. You can eliminate items later when you start building your story, but for now, create the list and add to it as you think of new things that you are or can do.

Getting Gritty

Many college essay prompts include an opportunity to share a time in your life in which you faced adversity and overcame it. For some students, this prompt is difficult for they have either not experienced a life-changing setback or not considered themselves challenged. It is important to remember that any setback or disappointment—no matter how inconsequential it may seem to you—can be the basis for an essay that responds to such a prompt. There is no need to embellish the circumstance if it is truly not harrowing, but it is acceptable to frame the experience as something that was difficult for you. Most readers of essays are less looking for a made-for-Hollywood story and more wanting to see someone who has demonstrated tenacity, resilience, and reflection no matter how big or small the adversity is. Even if you are not required to write an essay on a time in your life in which you failed or experienced disappointment, having a story handy for interviews (for scholarships, internships, or jobs) can help you share insight into your personality and strengths in a succinct way.

Finding the Themes of Your Life

In Katharine Brooks’ (2010) book You Majored in What? 3 she shares a writing and reflecting activity called “Wandering Pathways and Butterfly Moments” that guides readers through a series of prompts to develop a list of life experiences for the purpose of discovering what career pathway may be most fruitful for them to pursue. These life experiences could be as monumental as moving to a new state and starting a new school or they can be as mundane as spending the summers fishing. The goal of the exercise is to record what you have done or what has happened to you to get a sense of a “story.” These stories are built upon the connections and themes that you see in the experiences. Here are some of the life experiences Brooks wants you to consider when you are crafting your personal story.

• What have you done during the summer or holiday breaks from school?
• What did you play when you were a young child?
• What are some of your major life experiences (e.g. family events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces)?
• What do people say you do well or have a talent for or seek you out for?
• What do you consider your greatest achievements?
• What jobs have you had?
• What groups have you belonged to?
• What awards have you won?
• What lessons have you learned?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• What kind of “secret” talent do you have?

The goal of answering the questions is to capture as much about who you are and how you have been shaped to develop clear connections among the life elements and create themes. These themes can drive your personal story that can share on a deeper level who you are or who you are becoming.

Consider this scenario: Raphael has taken the time to write down his life experiences so he can build his personal narrative. Some of the answers to the questions above include the following:

• Raphael’s jobs: lifeguard, babysitter for his nieces and nephews, tutor, art teacher for elementary students
• Raphael’s hobbies and interests: watching old movies, volunteering at the library, creating original jewelry from natural objects
• Raphael’s awards and accolades: he won a writing contest in 11th grade, his friends come to him for advice, he has earned high grades in all of his classes
• Raphael’s major life events: parents divorced when he was 6 years old, he started a new school in junior high, his aunt passed away when he was 14 years old

From this short list, Raphael can begin to draw out themes that he can use to create a detailed picture of who he is. He has found himself in teaching roles with his jobs. He has a love for the arts as evidenced by his hobbies. He is a good communicator evidenced by his awards and accolades, and relationships are an important part of his life. Raphael can use those themes—and details from his experiences—to craft his story as someone who has demonstrated an interest in connecting with and helping others by sharing his expertise and experience.

Recognizing the themes in your life helps you to describe how you've become the person you are now, and helps you to understand who you will become.

"For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end" —former First Lady Michelle Obama , Becoming (2018)

Analysis Question

In what ways is your academic journey in high school shaping your personal narrative? Describe how the following experiences are helping you “become":

• The classes that you are taking
• The activities you participate in as part of school (e.g., sports, performing arts, etc.)
• The learning that you are doing outside of school (e.g., community language class)

In what ways are your personal experiences shaping your story? Describe how the following experiences are helping you “become”:

• Major life events
• Favorite activities
• Awards and accomplishments
• Jobs or volunteer work
• 3 Brooks, K.(2010). You majored in what? Plume.

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• Book title: Preparing for College Success
• Publication date: Jul 12, 2023
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• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/preparing-for-college-success/pages/1-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/preparing-for-college-success/pages/1-2-your-academic-journey-and-personal-story

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, life events that prepare you for college.

So, I'm starting to think about writing my personal essay for college applications and I want to write about some significant life event that has helped me prepare for the college experience. Anyone have ideas or examples of life events that might fit this theme?

When considering life events that have prepared you for college, it's essential to reflect on personal experiences rather than generic events. College admissions officers appreciate genuine stories that showcase your individual growth and maturity, as those are what show them what you, compared to any other applicant, have to offer. Here are some examples of life events that might fit your theme:

1. Overcoming a personal challenge: This could include dealing with a medical condition, bouncing back from a setback or failure, or overcoming a particularly difficult obstacle in your life. Focus on how this challenge shaped your character and prepared you to face new obstacles that college life might bring.

2. Family dynamics: If you have taken on significant responsibilities within your family, such as caregiving for a family member or contributing to the family income, these experiences can highlight your ability to balance multiple roles and prioritize your education even when facing external pressures.

3. Travel or cultural experiences: If you have lived or traveled extensively in different cultures, you could discuss how these experiences broadened your perspective and prepared you for navigating diverse environments, like those often found on college campuses.

4. Engaging in meaningful community service: If you have dedicated a significant amount of time to serving your community, you can discuss how these experiences shaped your character, taught you valuable life skills, and motivated you to continue making a positive impact in college.

5. Demonstrating leadership: Highlight experiences where you were in charge of leading groups or initiatives, such as student government, clubs, or community projects. Share how these provided opportunities to build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills that will be useful in college.

Remember, the goal of your personal essay is to showcase your unique personality, values, and growth. When choosing a life event to discuss, make sure it is a genuinely transformative experience that has shaped you in a meaningful way and connects to your future college goals. If you want further guidance, consider checking out CollegeVine's guide on how to tackle the main Common App essay: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/.

Happy writing!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay

Find the right college for you.

Writing an essay for college admission gives you a chance to use your authentic voice and show your personality. It's an excellent opportunity to personalize your application beyond your academic credentials, and a well-written essay can have a positive influence come decision time.

Want to know how to draft an essay for your college application ? Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing.

Tips for Essay Writing

A typical college application essay, also known as a personal statement, is 400-600 words. Although that may seem short, writing about yourself can be challenging. It's not something you want to rush or put off at the last moment. Think of it as a critical piece of the application process. Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor.

1. Start Early.

Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school. That way, you have ample time to think about the prompt and craft the best personal statement possible.

You don't have to work on your essay every day, but you'll want to give yourself time to revise and edit. You may discover that you want to change your topic or think of a better way to frame it. Either way, the sooner you start, the better.

2. Understand the Prompt and Instructions.

Before you begin the writing process, take time to understand what the college wants from you. The worst thing you can do is skim through the instructions and submit a piece that doesn't even fit the bare minimum requirements or address the essay topic. Look at the prompt, consider the required word count, and note any unique details each school wants.

3. Create a Strong Opener.

Students seeking help for their application essays often have trouble getting things started. It's a challenging writing process. Finding the right words to start can be the hardest part.

Spending more time working on your opener is always a good idea. The opening sentence sets the stage for the rest of your piece. The introductory paragraph is what piques the interest of the reader, and it can immediately set your essay apart from the others.

4. Stay on Topic.

One of the most important things to remember is to keep to the essay topic. If you're applying to 10 or more colleges, it's easy to veer off course with so many application essays.

A common mistake many students make is trying to fit previously written essays into the mold of another college's requirements. This seems like a time-saving way to avoid writing new pieces entirely, but it often backfires. The result is usually a final piece that's generic, unfocused, or confusing. Always write a new essay for every application, no matter how long it takes.

5. Think About Your Response.

Don't try to guess what the admissions officials want to read. Your essay will be easier to write─and more exciting to read─if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Here’s an example: If all your friends are writing application essays about covid-19, it may be a good idea to avoid that topic, unless during the pandemic you had a vivid, life-changing experience you're burning to share. Whatever topic you choose, avoid canned responses. Be creative.

6. Focus on You.

Essay prompts typically give you plenty of latitude, but panel members expect you to focus on a subject that is personal (although not overly intimate) and particular to you. Admissions counselors say the best essays help them learn something about the candidate that they would never know from reading the rest of the application.

7. Stay True to Your Voice.

Use your usual vocabulary. Avoid fancy language you wouldn't use in real life. Imagine yourself reading this essay aloud to a classroom full of people who have never met you. Keep a confident tone. Be wary of words and phrases that undercut that tone.

8. Be Specific and Factual.

Capitalize on real-life experiences. Your essay may give you the time and space to explain why a particular achievement meant so much to you. But resist the urge to exaggerate and embellish. Admissions counselors read thousands of essays each year. They can easily spot a fake.

9. Edit and Proofread.

When you finish the final draft, run it through the spell checker on your computer. Then don’t read your essay for a few days. You'll be more apt to spot typos and awkward grammar when you reread it. After that, ask a teacher, parent, or college student (preferably an English or communications major) to give it a quick read. While you're at it, double-check your word count.

Writing essays for college admission can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A well-crafted essay could be the deciding factor─in your favor. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll have no problem creating memorable pieces for every application.

What is the format of a college application essay?

Generally, essays for college admission follow a simple format that includes an opening paragraph, a lengthier body section, and a closing paragraph. You don't need to include a title, which will only take up extra space. Keep in mind that the exact format can vary from one college application to the next. Read the instructions and prompt for more guidance.

Most online applications will include a text box for your essay. If you're attaching it as a document, however, be sure to use a standard, 12-point font and use 1.5-spaced or double-spaced lines, unless the application specifies different font and spacing.

How do you start an essay?

The goal here is to use an attention grabber. Think of it as a way to reel the reader in and interest an admissions officer in what you have to say. There's no trick on how to start a college application essay. The best way you can approach this task is to flex your creative muscles and think outside the box.

You can start with openers such as relevant quotes, exciting anecdotes, or questions. Either way, the first sentence should be unique and intrigue the reader.

What should an essay include?

Every application essay you write should include details about yourself and past experiences. It's another opportunity to make yourself look like a fantastic applicant. Leverage your experiences. Tell a riveting story that fulfills the prompt.

What shouldn’t be included in an essay?

When writing a college application essay, it's usually best to avoid overly personal details and controversial topics. Although these topics might make for an intriguing essay, they can be tricky to express well. If you’re unsure if a topic is appropriate for your essay, check with your school counselor. An essay for college admission shouldn't include a list of achievements or academic accolades either. Your essay isn’t meant to be a rehashing of information the admissions panel can find elsewhere in your application.

How can you make your essay personal and interesting?

The best way to make your essay interesting is to write about something genuinely important to you. That could be an experience that changed your life or a valuable lesson that had an enormous impact on you. Whatever the case, speak from the heart, and be honest.

Is it OK to discuss mental health in an essay?

Mental health struggles can create challenges you must overcome during your education and could be an opportunity for you to show how you’ve handled challenges and overcome obstacles. If you’re considering writing your essay for college admission on this topic, consider talking to your school counselor or with an English teacher on how to frame the essay.

Related Articles

Writing About a Real-Life Event in Your College Essay

Writing about events from your own life can be difficult, even painful. But it’s necessary if you want to get into college.

For the Common Application essay , students are asked to write a 650-word essay in response to one of five essay prompts. These prompts ask students a range of questions about themselves, from their background, identity, or talent, to the lessons they’ve learned from failure, to their core beliefs and their major life dilemmas. Each question, in its way, asks students to write the first chapter of their memoirs. 

If you have a painful or uplifting story to tell, then you’re in luck: you have meaningful material for your college admission essays.

But if, like many high school students, you struggle to find meaning in the relentless cycle of school, homework, extracurricular activities, after-school programs, and college applications, then your first challenge is to dig into your life to find a story worth telling. 

If you’re struggling to find your story, here are some tips to get you started:

Nothing is Too Embarrassing

To get started brainstorming, first allow yourself to consider the parts of your life you’re hesitant to share with others. Some of the most meaningful aspects of your personal life are likely also the most embarrassing. Perhaps you’re embarrassed by what your parents or guardians do for a living, or by your living situation, or by some element of your family dynamic, or even by your name. We all have aspects of our lives that we wish could be different. These wishes often cloud our thoughts during the day and fill our dreams at night. 

Start here. Everyone’s life is messy. Whatever you find too embarrassing today will very likely become a fundamental part of who you are tomorrow. It’s from this space of embarrassment that you’re most likely to tell a compelling story of personal growth. 

There are limits, of course. In general, avoid sharing that you’ve broken the law or cheated on a test, for instance. 

Also, if you do elect to write about a difficult personal topic, it’s important that you feel comfortable writing about this subject in detail. If you just can’t bring yourself to be detailed on a given topic, then skip it. Without details, you’re unlikely to write a meaningful essay. 

But, with a detailed account of your own unique story, you’re sure to impress admissions committees.

Nothing is Meaningless

Often the best writing is spun from the most mundane circumstances. James Joyce’s Ulysses (1922), for instance, is widely heralded as perhaps the greatest novel of the twentieth century , but its 700 pages focus on a single day of a 38-year-old advertising canvasser who does nothing overtly heroic or remarkable. What’s remarkable about Ulysses is less the content of its plot than its form —not what Joyce wrote about, but how he wrote it. 

Your college admissions essays aren’t experimental novels, of course, but they can be similarly focused on finding and expressing meaning in everyday circumstances. 

Take this essay for admission into Johns Hopkins University from 2015. Isaac is a teenager from Vermont who loved reading the morning announcements over his high school’s intercom. Look at how he describes his first day on the (seemingly boring) job:

Fortunately, there is not much going on this week, which means I have some wiggle room with what I can say. The loud buzz of the intercom whines throughout the school, and the silent apprehension of the day is met, somewhat unexpectedly, with a greeting of 20 “yo’s” and a long, breathy pause. I artfully maneuver someone else’s writing into my own words, keeping the original intent but supplementing the significant lack of humor with a few one-liners. I conclude by reminding everyone that just because the weather is miserable today does not mean that we have to be as well.

Isaac takes time to linger over what most would take for granted: through his imagination, the sound of the intercom becomes a “loud buzz” that “whines throughout the school,” interrupting the “silent apprehension” of his schoolmates. Consider how this paragraph might sound with a less imaginative approach:

Fortunately, there is not much going on this week, so I can say what I want. The intercom turns on and I say “yo” 20 times. I read the words written on the script and add some jokes. I conclude by saying we don’t have to be sad like the weather is. 

The content is essentially the same, but the second version fails to communicate the essential spirit of the moment. It fails to give us something interesting to savor, and it keeps us at a distance from the texture of Isaac’s unique experience. Isaac’s writing succeeds not because of his rather mundane content, but because of his ability to re-inhabit the life of the moment through vibrant words and images. 

To paraphrase Isaac, you might feel as if there is not much going on in your life, but that just means you have more wiggle room with how you can write your story. 

Be Specific

It’s just a plain matter of fact that most readers are more compelled by concrete images and specific stories than by vague assertions and generalizations. Typically, the best essays tell a single story. The trick is to find a story that represents something essential about you. 

So, instead of generally describing your school’s social dynamic, tell that awfully embarrassing story about your first social interaction in high school. Instead of vaguely suggesting that you’ve never seen eye-to-eye with your parents, tell your reader about a time when you argued with them. Instead of describing the frustration you’ve felt from losing high school sports competitions, relate the story of a single, meaningful loss. 

In other words, show your reader specifics, then tell them how this story provides insight into your essential sense of yourself. 

Your essays should be open, interesting, and detailed. But above all, they should be you . As director Shekhar Kapur says, “We are the stories we tell ourselves.” Getting into college requires that you share just one of those stories with others. 

Stephen P. is a writer and teacher based in Los Angeles. He has taught literature and writing courses at several universities and has taught writing and critical reading at Elite Educational Institute since 2010. 

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You've made it to campus! Now what? These tips can help you navigate college life

Janet W. Lee

This story is adapted from Life Kit's weekly newsletter, which arrives in inboxes each Friday. Subscribe here .

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed student life on college campuses.

It has been more than a year since universities closed down their classrooms and transitioned to remote learning, but many high school graduates and returning college students are constantly adapting to new campus or state-wide regulations of in-person classes, testing and vaccination requirements.

These big decisions may be out of your hands, but you can still try to make the most out of your academic experience, personal relationships and wellbeing on campus. For new and returning college students, here are five Life Kit episodes that will guide you through this school year.

Congrats, you're going to college! Now what?

Congratulations, You're In College! Now What?

You made it out of high school and plan on pursuing more school — meaning it's time to map out what you want your college life to look like. Research shows that laying a strong foundation your first year is key to signing up for another and eventually, finishing your degree. This episode provides tips for enrolling in the right courses, finding a supportive community and connecting with mentors in and outside the classroom.

We're all still getting used to Zoom school.

How To Make The Most Of Online College This Fall

It's been more than a year since universities initially transitioned from in-person to remote classes. But for students who took time off school during the pandemic, it isn't easy to navigate their first virtual or hybrid semester. In this Life Kit episode , recent college grad Michelle Krallman says reaching out to academic advisers or professors is key to making a smooth transition. These professionals may not only offer you advice but they might also be more lenient with and understanding of your situation.

You can work hard without burning yourself out.

College Is Important. So Is Mental Health. Here's How To Study Without Burning Out

College classes aren't easy. To study smarter not harder, cognitive scientist Pooja Agarwal suggests that students should not only take information in but also draw it back out. Her suggestions include taking handwritten notes or creating flashcards and reading them out loud when reviewing for exams. For more tips, check out this episode on taking useful notes and creating a study planner .

Friendships in college change all the time. It's not your fault.

Friendships Change. Here's How To Deal

Returning to campus from a semester or year at home can be challenging. If a reunion with a friend is feeling awkward, friendship expert Shasta Nelson recommends assessing your friendship through the "friendship triangle" composed of consistency, positivity and vulnerability. You may be able to adjust whatever sides are off balance, but a friend, sometimes, is only present for a certain chapter of your student life — and that is OK too.

Access university resources to help you navigate student loans.

How To Survive College When You're Paying Your Own Way

From digging through your school's financial aid packages to creating a realistic budget to exploring federal loans, you have different avenues to pay for college. In this Life Kit episode , Lauren Schandevel, a student at the University of Michigan, shares her experience going to school on a budget. When feeling overwhelmed, remember that you've made it to college — you belong there.

We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at [email protected] .

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a great college essay, step-by-step.

College Admissions , College Essays

Writing your personal statement for your college application is an undeniably overwhelming project. Your essay is your big shot to show colleges who you are—it's totally reasonable to get stressed out. But don't let that stress paralyze you.

This guide will walk you through each step of the essay writing process to help you understand exactly what you need to do to write the best possible personal statement . I'm also going to follow an imaginary student named Eva as she plans and writes her college essay, from her initial organization and brainstorming to her final edits. By the end of this article, you'll have all the tools you need to create a fantastic, effective college essay.

So how do you write a good college essay? The process starts with finding the best possible topic , which means understanding what the prompt is asking for and taking the time to brainstorm a variety of options. Next, you'll determine how to create an interesting essay that shows off your unique perspective and write multiple drafts in order to hone your structure and language. Once your writing is as effective and engaging as possible, you'll do a final sweep to make sure everything is correct .

This guide covers the following steps:

#1: Organizing #2: Brainstorming #3: Picking a topic #4: Making a plan #5: Writing a draft #6: Editing your draft #7: Finalizing your draft #8: Repeating the process

Step 1: Get Organized

The first step in how to write a college essay is figuring out what you actually need to do. Although many schools are now on the Common App, some very popular colleges, including Rutgers and University of California, still have their own applications and writing requirements. Even for Common App schools, you may need to write a supplemental essay or provide short answers to questions.

Before you get started, you should know exactly what essays you need to write. Having this information allows you to plan the best approach to each essay and helps you cut down on work by determining whether you can use an essay for more than one prompt.

Start Early

Writing good college essays involves a lot of work: you need dozens of hours to get just one personal statement properly polished , and that's before you even start to consider any supplemental essays.

In order to make sure you have plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and edit your essay (or essays), I recommend starting at least two months before your first deadline . The last thing you want is to end up with a low-quality essay you aren't proud of because you ran out of time and had to submit something unfinished.

Determine What You Need to Do

As I touched on above, each college has its own essay requirements, so you'll need to go through and determine what exactly you need to submit for each school . This process is simple if you're only using the Common App, since you can easily view the requirements for each school under the "My Colleges" tab. Watch out, though, because some schools have a dedicated "Writing Supplement" section, while others (even those that want a full essay) will put their prompts in the "Questions" section.

It gets trickier if you're applying to any schools that aren't on the Common App. You'll need to look up the essay requirements for each college—what's required should be clear on the application itself, or you can look under the "how to apply" section of the school's website.

Once you've determined the requirements for each school, I recommend making yourself a chart with the school name, word limit, and application deadline on one side and the prompt or prompts you need to respond to on the other . That way you'll be able to see exactly what you need to do and when you need to do it by.

The hardest part about writing your college essays is getting started. 

Decide Where to Start

If you have one essay that's due earlier than the others, start there. Otherwise, start with the essay for your top choice school.

I would also recommend starting with a longer personal statement before moving on to shorter supplementary essays , since the 500-700 word essays tend to take quite a bit longer than 100-250 word short responses. The brainstorming you do for the long essay may help you come up with ideas you like for the shorter ones as well.

Also consider whether some of the prompts are similar enough that you could submit the same essay to multiple schools . Doing so can save you some time and let you focus on a few really great essays rather than a lot of mediocre ones.

However, don't reuse essays for dissimilar or very school-specific prompts, especially "why us" essays . If a college asks you to write about why you're excited to go there, admissions officers want to see evidence that you're genuinely interested. Reusing an essay about another school and swapping out the names is the fastest way to prove you aren't.

Example: Eva's College List

Eva is applying early to Emory University and regular decision to University of Washington, UCLA, and Reed College. Emory, the University of Washington, and Reed both use the Common App, while University of Washington, Emory, and Reed all use the Coalition App.

Even though she's only applying to four schools, Eva has a lot to do: two essays for UW, four for the UCLA application, one for the Common App (or the Coalition App), and two essays for Emory. Many students will have fewer requirements to complete, but those who are applying to very selective schools or a number of schools on different applications will have as many or even more responses to write.

Eva's first deadline is early decision for Emory, she'll start by writing the Common App essay, and then work on the Emory supplements. (For the purposes of this post, we'll focus on the Common App essay.)

Pro tip: If this sounds like a lot of work, that's because it is. Writing essays for your college applications is demanding and takes a lot of time and thought. You don't have to do it alone, though. PrepScholar has helped students like you get into top-tier colleges like Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and Brown. Our essay experts can help you craft amazing essays that boost your chances of getting into your dream school . 

Step 2: Brainstorm

Next up in how to write a college essay: brainstorming essay ideas. There are tons of ways to come up with ideas for your essay topic: I've outlined three below. I recommend trying all of them and compiling a list of possible topics, then narrowing it down to the very best one or, if you're writing multiple essays, the best few.

Keep in mind as you brainstorm that there's no best college essay topic, just the best topic for you . Don't feel obligated to write about something because you think you should—those types of essays tend to be boring and uninspired. Similarly, don't simply write about the first idea that crosses your mind because you don't want to bother trying to think of something more interesting. Take the time to come up with a topic you're really excited about and that you can write about in detail.

Analyze the Prompts

One way to find possible topics is to think deeply about the college's essay prompt. What are they asking you for? Break them down and analyze every angle.

Does the question include more than one part ? Are there multiple tasks you need to complete?

What do you think the admissions officers are hoping to learn about you ?

In cases where you have more than one choice of prompt, does one especially appeal to you ? Why?

Let's dissect one of the University of Washington prompts as an example:

"Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. "

This question is basically asking how your personal history, such as your childhood, family, groups you identify with etc. helped you become the person you are now. It offers a number of possible angles.

You can talk about the effects of either your family life (like your relationship with your parents or what your household was like growing up) or your cultural history (like your Jewish faith or your Venezuelan heritage). You can also choose between focusing on positive or negative effects of your family or culture. No matter what however, the readers definitely want to hear about your educational goals (i.e. what you hope to get out of college) and how they're related to your personal experience.

As you try to think of answers for a prompt, imagine about what you would say if you were asked the question by a friend or during a get-to-know-you icebreaker. After all, admissions officers are basically just people who you want to get to know you.

The essay questions can make a great jumping off point, but don't feel married to them. Most prompts are general enough that you can come up with an idea and then fit it to the question.

Consider Important Experiences, Events, and Ideas in Your Life

What experience, talent, interest or other quirk do you have that you might want to share with colleges? In other words, what makes you you? Possible topics include hobbies, extracurriculars, intellectual interests, jobs, significant one-time events, pieces of family history, or anything else that has shaped your perspective on life.

Unexpected or slightly unusual topics are often the best : your passionate love of Korean dramas or your yearly family road trip to an important historical site. You want your essay to add something to your application, so if you're an All-American soccer player and want to write about the role soccer has played in your life, you'll have a higher bar to clear.

Of course if you have a more serious part of your personal history—the death of a parent, serious illness, or challenging upbringing—you can write about that. But make sure you feel comfortable sharing details of the experience with the admissions committee and that you can separate yourself from it enough to take constructive criticism on your essay.

Think About How You See Yourself

The last brainstorming method is to consider whether there are particular personality traits you want to highlight . This approach can feel rather silly, but it can also be very effective.

If you were trying to sell yourself to an employer, or maybe even a potential date, how would you do it? Try to think about specific qualities that make you stand out. What are some situations in which you exhibited this trait?

Example: Eva's Ideas

Looking at the Common App prompts, Eva wasn't immediately drawn to any of them, but after a bit of consideration she thought it might be nice to write about her love of literature for the first one, which asks about something "so meaningful your application would be incomplete without it." Alternatively, she liked the specificity of the failure prompt and thought she might write about a bad job interview she had had.

In terms of important events, Eva's parents got divorced when she was three and she's been going back and forth between their houses for as long as she can remember, so that's a big part of her personal story. She's also played piano for all four years of high school, although she's not particularly good.

As for personal traits, Eva is really proud of her curiosity—if she doesn't know something, she immediately looks it up, and often ends up discovering new topics she's interested in. It's a trait that's definitely come in handy as a reporter for her school paper.

Step 3: Narrow Down Your List

Now you have a list of potential topics, but probably no idea where to start. The next step is to go through your ideas and determine which one will make for the strongest essay . You'll then begin thinking about how best to approach it.

What to Look for in a College Essay Topic

There's no single answer to the question of what makes a great college essay topic, but there are some key factors you should keep in mind. The best essays are focused, detailed, revealing and insightful, and finding the right topic is vital to writing a killer essay with all of those qualities.

As you go through your ideas, be discriminating—really think about how each topic could work as an essay. But don't be too hard on yourself ; even if an idea may not work exactly the way you first thought, there may be another way to approach it. Pay attention to what you're really excited about and look for ways to make those ideas work.

Consideration 1: Does It Matter to You?

If you don't care about your topic, it will be hard to convince your readers to care about it either. You can't write a revealing essay about yourself unless you write about a topic that is truly important to you.

But don't confuse important to you with important to the world: a college essay is not a persuasive argument. The point is to give the reader a sense of who you are , not to make a political or intellectual point. The essay needs to be personal.

Similarly, a lot of students feel like they have to write about a major life event or their most impressive achievement. But the purpose of a personal statement isn't to serve as a resume or a brag sheet—there are plenty of other places in the application for you to list that information. Many of the best essays are about something small because your approach to a common experience generally reveals a lot about your perspective on the world.

Mostly, your topic needs to have had a genuine effect on your outlook , whether it taught you something about yourself or significantly shifted your view on something else.

Consideration 2: Does It Tell the Reader Something Different About You?

Your essay should add something to your application that isn't obvious elsewhere. Again, there are sections for all of your extracurriculars and awards; the point of the essay is to reveal something more personal that isn't clear just from numbers and lists.

You also want to make sure that if you're sending more than one essay to a school—like a Common App personal statement and a school-specific supplement—the two essays take on different topics.

Consideration 3: Is It Specific?

Your essay should ultimately have a very narrow focus. 650 words may seem like a lot, but you can fill it up very quickly. This means you either need to have a very specific topic from the beginning or find a specific aspect of a broader topic to focus on.

If you try to take on a very broad topic, you'll end up with a bunch of general statements and boring lists of your accomplishments. Instead, you want to find a short anecdote or single idea to explore in depth .

Consideration 4: Can You Discuss It in Detail?

A vague essay is a boring essay— specific details are what imbue your essay with your personality . For example, if I tell my friend that I had a great dessert yesterday, she probably won't be that interested. But if I explain that I ate an amazing piece of peach raspberry pie with flaky, buttery crust and filling that was both sweet and tart, she will probably demand to know where I obtained it (at least she will if she appreciates the joys of pie). She'll also learn more about me: I love pie and I analyze desserts with great seriousness.

Given the importance of details, writing about something that happened a long time ago or that you don't remember well isn't usually a wise choice . If you can't describe something in depth, it will be challenging to write a compelling essay about it.

You also shouldn't pick a topic you aren't actually comfortable talking about . Some students are excited to write essays about very personal topics, like their mother's bipolar disorder or their family's financial struggles, but others dislike sharing details about these kinds of experiences. If you're a member of the latter group, that's totally okay, just don't write about one of these sensitive topics.

Still, don't worry that every single detail has to be perfectly correct. Definitely don't make anything up, but if you remember a wall as green and it was really blue, your readers won't notice or care.

Consideration 5: Can It Be Related to the Prompt?

As long as you're talking about yourself, there are very few ideas that you can't tie back to one of the Common App or Coalition App prompts. But if you're applying to a school with its own more specific prompt, or working on supplemental essays, making sure to address the question will be a greater concern.

Deciding on a Topic

Once you've gone through the questions above, you should have a good sense of what you want to write about. Hopefully, it's also gotten you started thinking about how you can best approach that topic, but we'll cover how to plan your essay more fully in the next step.

If after going through the narrowing process, you've eliminated all your topics, first look back over them: are you being too hard on yourself? Are there any that you really like, but just aren't totally sure what angle to take on? If so, try looking at the next section and seeing if you can't find a different way to approach it.

If you just don't have an idea you're happy with, that's okay! Give yourself a week to think about it. Sometimes you'll end up having a genius idea in the car on the way to school or while studying for your U.S. history test. Otherwise, try the brainstorming process again when you've had a break.

If, on the other hand, you have more than one idea you really like, consider whether any of them can be used for other essays you need to write.

Example: Picking Eva's Topic

• Love of books
• Failed job interview
• Parents' divorce

Eva immediately rules out writing about playing piano, because it sounds super boring to her, and it's not something she is particularly passionate about. She also decides not to write about splitting time between her parents because she just isn't comfortable sharing her feelings about it with an admissions committee.

She feels more positive about the other three, so she decides to think about them for a couple of days. She ends up ruling out the job interview because she just can't come up with that many details she could include.

She's excited about both of her last two ideas, but sees issues with both of them: the books idea is very broad and the reporting idea doesn't seem to apply to any of the prompts. Then she realizes that she can address the solving a problem prompt by talking about a time she was trying to research a story about the closing of a local movie theater, so she decides to go with that topic.

Step 4: Figure Out Your Approach

You've decided on a topic, but now you need to turn that topic into an essay. To do so, you need to determine what specifically you're focusing on and how you'll structure your essay.

If you're struggling or uncertain, try taking a look at some examples of successful college essays . It can be helpful to dissect how other personal statements are structured to get ideas for your own , but don't fall into the trap of trying to copy someone else's approach. Your essay is your story—never forget that.

Let's go through the key steps that will help you turn a great topic into a great essay.

Choose a Focal Point

As I touched on above, the narrower your focus, the easier it will be to write a unique, engaging personal statement. The simplest way to restrict the scope of your essay is to recount an anecdote , i.e. a short personal story that illustrates your larger point.

For example, say a student was planning to write about her Outward Bound trip in Yosemite. If she tries to tell the entire story of her trip, her essay will either be far too long or very vague. Instead, she decides to focus in on a specific incident that exemplifies what mattered to her about the experience: her failed attempt to climb Half Dome. She described the moment she decided to turn back without reaching the top in detail, while touching on other parts of the climb and trip where appropriate. This approach lets her create a dramatic arc in just 600 words, while fully answering the question posed in the prompt (Common App prompt 2).

Of course, concentrating on an anecdote isn't the only way to narrow your focus. Depending on your topic, it might make more sense to build your essay around an especially meaningful object, relationship, or idea.

Another approach our example student from above could take to the same general topic would be to write about the generosity of fellow hikers (in response to Common App prompt 4). Rather than discussing a single incident, she could tell the story of her trip through times she was supported by other hikers: them giving tips on the trails, sharing snacks, encouraging her when she was tired, etc. A structure like this one can be trickier than the more straightforward anecdote approach , but it can also make for an engaging and different essay.

When deciding what part of your topic to focus on, try to find whatever it is about the topic that is most meaningful and unique to you . Once you've figured that part out, it will guide how you structure the essay.

Decide What You Want to Show About Yourself

Remember that the point of the college essay isn't just to tell a story, it's to show something about yourself. It's vital that you have a specific point you want to make about what kind of person you are , what kind of college student you'd make, or what the experience you're describing taught you.

Since the papers you write for school are mostly analytical, you probably aren't used to writing about your own feelings. As such, it can be easy to neglect the reflection part of the personal statement in favor of just telling a story. Yet explaining what the event or idea you discuss meant to you is the most important essay —knowing how you want to tie your experiences back to your personal growth from the beginning will help you make sure to include it.

Develop a Structure

It's not enough to just know what you want to write about—you also need to have a sense of how you're going to write about it. You could have the most exciting topic of all time, but without a clear structure your essay will end up as incomprehensible gibberish that doesn't tell the reader anything meaningful about your personality.

There are a lot of different possible essay structures, but a simple and effective one is the compressed narrative, which builds on a specific anecdote (like the Half Dome example above):

Start in the middle of the action. Don't spend a lot of time at the beginning of your essay outlining background info—it doesn't tend to draw the reader in and you usually need less of it than you think you do. Instead start right where your story starts to get interesting. (I'll go into how to craft an intriguing opener in more depth below.)

Briefly explain what the situation is. Now that you've got the reader's attention, go back and explain anything they need to know about how you got into this situation. Don't feel compelled to fit everything in—only include the background details that are necessary to either understand what happened or illuminate your feelings about the situation in some way.

Finish the story. Once you've clarified exactly what's going on, explain how you resolved the conflict or concluded the experience.

Explain what you learned. The last step is to tie everything together and bring home the main point of your story: how this experience affected you.

The key to this type of structure is to create narrative tension—you want your reader to be wondering what happens next.

A second approach is the thematic structure, which is based on returning to a key idea or object again and again (like the boots example above):

Establish the focus. If you're going to structure your essay around a single theme or object, you need to begin the essay by introducing that key thing. You can do so with a relevant anecdote or a detailed description.

Touch on 3-5 times the focus was important. The body of your essay will consist of stringing together a few important moments related to the topic. Make sure to use sensory details to bring the reader into those points in time and keep her engaged in the essay. Also remember to elucidate why these moments were important to you.

Revisit the main idea. At the end, you want to tie everything together by revisiting the main idea or object and showing how your relationship to it has shaped or affected you. Ideally, you'll also hint at how this thing will be important to you going forward.

To make this structure work you need a very specific focus. Your love of travel, for example, is much too broad—you would need to hone in on a specific aspect of that interest, like how traveling has taught you to adapt to event the most unusual situations. Whatever you do, don't use this structure to create a glorified resume or brag sheet .

However you structure your essay, you want to make sure that it clearly lays out both the events or ideas you're describing and establishes the stakes (i.e. what it all means for you). Many students become so focused on telling a story or recounting details that they forget to explain what it all meant to them.

Example: Eva's Essay Plan

For her essay, Eva decides to use the compressed narrative structure to tell the story of how she tried and failed to report on the closing of a historic movie theater:

• Open with the part of her story where she finally gave up after calling the theater and city hall a dozen times.
• Explain that although she started researching the story out of journalistic curiosity, it was important to her because she'd grown up going to movies at that theater.
• Recount how defeated she felt when she couldn't get ahold of anyone, and then even more so when she saw a story about the theater's closing in the local paper.
• Describer her decision to write an op-ed instead and interview other students about what the theater meant to them.
• Finish by explaining that although she wasn't able to get the story (or stop the destruction of the theater), she learned that sometimes the emotional angle can be just as interesting as the investigative one.

Step 5: Write a First Draft

The key to writing your first draft is not to worry about whether it's any good—just get something on paper and go from there. You will have to rewrite, so trying to get everything perfect is both frustrating and futile.

Everyone has their own writing process. Maybe you feel more comfortable sitting down and writing the whole draft from beginning to end in one go. Maybe you jump around, writing a little bit here and a little there. It's okay to have sections you know won't work or to skip over things you think you'll need to include later.

Whatever your approach, there are a few tips everyone can benefit from.

Don't Aim for Perfection

I mentioned this idea above, but I can't emphasize it enough: no one writes a perfect first draft . Extensive editing and rewriting is vital to crafting an effective personal statement. Don't get too attached to any part of your draft, because you may need to change anything (or everything) about your essay later .

Also keep in mind that, at this point in the process, the goal is just to get your ideas down. Wonky phrasings and misplaced commas can easily be fixed when you edit, so don't worry about them as you write. Instead, focus on including lots of specific details and emphasizing how your topic has affected you, since these aspects are vital to a compelling essay.

Write an Engaging Introduction

One part of the essay you do want to pay special attention to is the introduction. Your intro is your essay's first impression: you only get one. It's much harder to regain your reader's attention once you've lost it, so you want to draw the reader in with an immediately engaging hook that sets up a compelling story .

There are two possible approaches I would recommend.

The "In Media Res" Opening

You'll probably recognize this term if you studied The Odyssey: it basically means that the story starts in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning. A good intro of this type makes the reader wonder both how you got to the point you're starting at and where you'll go from there . These openers provide a solid, intriguing beginning for narrative essays (though they can certainly for thematic structures as well).

But how do you craft one? Try to determine the most interesting point in your story and start there. If you're not sure where that is, try writing out the entire story and then crossing out each sentence in order until you get to one that immediately grabs your attention.

Here's an example from a real student's college essay:

"I strode in front of 400 frenzied eighth graders with my arm slung over my Fender Stratocaster guitar—it actually belonged to my mother—and launched into the first few chords of Nirvana's 'Lithium.'"

Anonymous , University of Virginia

This intro throws the reader right into the middle of the action. The author jumps right into the action: the performance. You can imagine how much less exciting it would be if the essay opened with an explanation of what the event was and why the author was performing.

The Specific Generalization

Sounds like an oxymoron, right? This type of intro sets up what the essay is going to talk about in a slightly unexpected way . These are a bit trickier than the "in media res" variety, but they can work really well for the right essay—generally one with a thematic structure.

The key to this type of intro is detail . Contrary to what you may have learned in elementary school, sweeping statements don't make very strong hooks. If you want to start your essay with a more overall description of what you'll be discussing, you still need to make it specific and unique enough to stand out.

Once again, let's look at some examples from real students' essays:

Neha, Johns Hopkins University

Brontë, Johns Hopkins University

Both of these intros set up the general topic of the essay (the first writer's bookshelf and and the second's love of Jane Eyre ) in an intriguing way. The first intro works because it mixes specific descriptions ("pushed against the left wall in my room") with more general commentary ("a curious piece of furniture"). The second draws the reader in by adopting a conversational and irreverent tone with asides like "if you ask me" and "This may or may not be a coincidence."

Don't Worry Too Much About the Length

When you start writing, don't worry about your essay's length. Instead, focus on trying to include all of the details you can think of about your topic , which will make it easier to decide what you really need to include when you edit.

However, if your first draft is more than twice the word limit and you don't have a clear idea of what needs to be cut out, you may need to reconsider your focus—your topic is likely too broad. You may also need to reconsider your topic or approach if you find yourself struggling to fill space, since this usually indicates a topic that lacks a specific focus.

Eva's First Paragraph

I dialed the phone number for the fourth time that week. "Hello? This is Eva Smith, and I'm a reporter with Tiny Town High's newspaper The Falcon. I was hoping to ask you some questions about—" I heard the distinctive click of the person on the other end of the line hanging up, followed by dial tone. I was about ready to give up: I'd been trying to get the skinny on whether the Atlas Theater was actually closing to make way for a big AMC multiplex or if it was just a rumor for weeks, but no one would return my calls.

Step 6: Edit Aggressively

No one writes a perfect first draft. No matter how much you might want to be done after writing a first draft—you must take the time to edit. Thinking critically about your essay and rewriting as needed is a vital part of writing a great college essay.

Before you start editing, put your essay aside for a week or so . It will be easier to approach it objectively if you haven't seen it in a while. Then, take an initial pass to identify any big picture issues with your essay. Once you've fixed those, ask for feedback from other readers—they'll often notice gaps in logic that don't appear to you, because you're automatically filling in your intimate knowledge of the situation. Finally, take another, more detailed look at your essay to fine tune the language.

I've explained each of these steps in more depth below.

First Editing Pass

You should start the editing process by looking for any structural or thematic issues with your essay . If you see sentences that don't make sense or glaring typos of course fix them, but at this point, you're really focused on the major issues since those require the most extensive rewrites. You don't want to get your sentences beautifully structured only to realize you need to remove the entire paragraph.

This phase is really about honing your structure and your voice . As you read through your essay, think about whether it effectively draws the reader along, engages him with specific details, and shows why the topic matters to you. Try asking yourself the following questions:

• Does the intro make you want to read more?
• Is the progression of events and/or ideas clear?
• Does the essay show something specific about you? What is it and can you clearly identify it in the essay?
• Are there places where you could replace vague statements with more specific ones?
• Do you have too many irrelevant or uninteresting details clogging up the narrative?
• Is it too long? What can you cut out or condense without losing any important ideas or details?

Give yourself credit for what you've done well, but don't hesitate to change things that aren't working. It can be tempting to hang on to what you've already written —you took the time and thought to craft it in the first place, so it can be hard to let it go. Taking this approach is doing yourself a disservice, however. No matter how much work you put into a paragraph or much you like a phrase, if they aren't adding to your essay, they need to be cut or altered.

If there's a really big structural problem, or the topic is just not working, you may have to chuck this draft out and start from scratch . Don't panic! I know starting over is frustrating, but it's often the best way to fix major issues.

Consulting Other Readers

Once you've fixed the problems you found on the first pass and have a second (or third) draft you're basically happy with, ask some other people to read it. Check with people whose judgment you trust : parents, teachers, and friends can all be great resources, but how helpful someone will be depends on the individual and how willing you are to take criticism from her.

Also, keep in mind that many people, even teachers, may not be familiar with what colleges look for in an essay. Your mom, for example, may have never written a personal statement, and even if she did, it was most likely decades ago. Give your readers a sense of what you'd like them to read for , or print out the questions I listed above and include them at the end of your essay.

Second Pass

After incorporating any helpful feedback you got from others, you should now have a nearly complete draft with a clear arc.

At this point you want to look for issues with word choice and sentence structure:

• Are there parts that seem stilted or overly formal?
• Do you have any vague or boring descriptors that could be replaced with something more interesting and specific?
• Are there any obvious redundancies or repetitiveness?
• Have you misused any words?
• Are your sentences of varied length and structure?

A good way to check for weirdness in language is to read the essay out loud. If something sounds weird when you say it, it will almost certainly seem off when someone else reads it.

Example: Editing Eva's First Paragraph

In general, Eva feels like her first paragraph isn't as engaging as it could be and doesn't introduce the main point of the essay that well: although it sets up the narrative, it doesn't show off her personality that well. She decides to break it down sentence by sentence:

I dialed the phone number for the fourth time that week.

Problem: For a hook, this sentence is a little too expository. It doesn't add any real excitement or important information (other than that this call isn't the first, which can be incorporate elsewhere.

Solution: Cut this sentence and start with the line of dialogue.

"Hello? This is Eva Smith, and I'm a reporter with Tiny Town High's newspaper The Falcon. I was hoping to ask you some questions about—"

Problem: No major issues with this sentence. It's engaging and sets the scene effectively.

Solution: None needed, but Eva does tweak it slightly to include the fact that this call wasn't her first.

I heard the distinctive click of the person on the other end of the line hanging up, followed by dial tone.

Problem: This is a long-winded way of making a point that's not that important.

Solution: Replace it with a shorter, more evocative description: " Click. Bzzzzzzz. Whoever was on the other end of the line had hung up."

I was about ready to give up: I'd been trying to get the skinny on whether the Atlas Theater was actually closing to make way for a big AMC multiplex or if it was just a rumor for weeks, but no one would return my calls.

Problem: This sentence is kind of long. Some of the phrases ("about ready to give up," "get the skinny") are cliche.

Solution: Eva decides to try to stick more closely to her own perspective: "I'd heard rumors that Atlas Theater was going to be replaced with an AMC multiplex, and I was worried." She also puts a paragraph break before this sentence to emphasize that she's now moving on to the background info rather than describing her call.

Step 7: Double Check Everything

Once you have a final draft, give yourself another week and then go through your essay again. Read it carefully to make sure nothing seems off and there are no obvious typos or errors. Confirm that you are at or under the word limit.

Then, go over the essay again, line by line , checking every word to make sure that it's correct. Double check common errors that spell check may not catch, like mixing up affect and effect or misplacing commas.

Finally, have two other readers check it as well . Oftentimes a fresh set of eyes will catch an issue you've glossed over simply because you've been looking at the essay for so long. Give your readers instructions to only look for typos and errors, since you don't want to be making any major content changes at this point in the process.

This level of thoroughness may seem like overkill, but it's worth taking the time to ensure that you don't have any errors. The last thing you want is for an admissions officer to be put off by a typo or error.

Example: Eva's Final Draft (Paragraphs 1 and 2)

"Hello? This is Eva Smith again. I'm a reporter with Tiny Town High's newspaper The Falcon , and I was hoping to ask you some questions about —" Click. Bzzzzzzz. Whoever was on the other end of the line had hung up.

I'd heard rumors that the historic Atlas Theater was going to be replaced with an AMC multiplex, and I was worried. I'd grown up with the Atlas: my dad taking me to see every Pixar movie on opening night and buying me Red Vines to keep me distracted during the sad parts. Unfortunately my personal history with the place didn't seem to carry much weight with anyone official, and my calls to both the theater and city hall had thus far gone unanswered.

Once you've finished the final check, you're done, and ready to submit! There's one last step, however.

Step 8: Do It All Again

Remember back in step one, when we talked about making a chart to keep track of all the different essays you need to write? Well, now you need to go back to that list and determine which essays you still need to write . Keep in mind your deadlines and don't forget that some schools may require more than one essay or ask for short paragraphs in addition to the main personal statement.

Reusing Essays

In some cases, you may be able to reuse the essay you've already written for other prompts. You can use the same essay for two prompts if:

Both of them are asking the same basic question (e.g. "how do you interact with people who are different from you?" or "what was an important experience and why?"), or

One prompt is relatively specific and the other is very general (e.g. "tell us about how your family shaped your education" and "tell us something about your background"), and

Neither asks about your interest in a specific school or program.

If you choose to reuse an essay you wrote for a different prompt, make sure that it addresses every part of question and that it fits the word limit. If you have to tweak a few things or cut out 50-odd words, it will probably still work. But if the essay would require major changes to fit the criteria, you're probably better off starting from scratch (even if you use the same basic topic).

Crafting Supplemental Essays

The key to keep in mind in when brainstorming for supplemental essays is that you want them to add something new to your application . You shouldn't write about the same topic you used for your personal statement, although it's okay to talk about something similar, as long as you adopt a clearly different angle.

For example, if you're planning to be pre-med in college and your main essay is about how volunteering at the hospital taught you not to judge people on their appearance, you might write your secondary essay on your intellectual interest in biology (which could touch on your volunteering). There's some overlap, but the two topics are clearly distinct.

And now, you're really, truly, finally done. Congrats!

What's Next?

Now that you know how to write a college essay, we have a lot more specific resources for you to excel.

Are you working on the Common App essay ? Read our breakdown of the Common App prompts and our guide to picking the best prompt for you.

Or maybe you're interested in the University of California ? Check out our complete guide to the UC personal statements .

In case you haven't finished the rest of the application process , take a look at our guides to asking for recommendations , writing about extracurriculars , and researching colleges .

Finally, if you're planning to take the SAT or ACT one last time , try out some of our famous test prep guides, like "How to Get a Perfect Score on the SAT" and "15 Key ACT Test Day Tips."

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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• College Life Essay

Anticipated Experiences During Our College Life

College Life is one of the most remarkable and lovable times of an individual's life. Unlike School Life, College Life has a different experience, and a person needs to have this experience in his/her life. College Life exposes us to whole new experiences which we always dream of experiencing after our school life. Lucky are those who get the chance to enjoy their college life, as many people don't get this chance due to their circumstances or financial issues. For every person, College Life has a different meaning. While some people spend their college life partying with friends, others become more cautious about their careers and study hard. Whatever the way, every individual enjoys their college life and always wishes to relive that time once it is over.

College Life Experience: How is it different from School Life?

Both school life and college life is the most memorable time of a person's life, but both of them are quite different from each other. While in School life, we learn everything in a protected environment, College Life exposes us to a new environment where we have to learn new things and face new challenges by ourselves. We spend half of our young lives in school, and thus we get comfortable living in that environment. But College Life is for three years only, where every year introduces new challenges and lessons to us. While in school, our teachers and friends always protect and guard us, in college life we form a relationship with our mentors, and they don't protect us all the time as our school teachers did. 

Unlike school life, we don't have many limitations in college life, and it is up to us how we want to spend our college life. In college life, we see new faces and experience a unique environment in which we have to mingle ourselves. We make new friends there who stay with us for the rest of our lives. Also, we get a chance to shape our careers asking the right decisions and studying hard. College life is not only about the study but also about the overall development of an individual through various activities and challenges.

In College Life, one gets a chance to make their own decisions. In school life, students get an opportunity to be class monitors. In College Life, an individual gets a chance to nominate himself/herself for more prominent positions like College President, Vice President, Secretary, and Vice Secretary. Apart from deciding the course and stream, an individual gets a chance to build his/her confidence by being a part of various societies and events that take place all year.

Different from School Life, College Life has its importance in a person's life, and one should always enjoy his/her college life.

A Bridge Between Our Student and Adult Lives

College life is considered a bridge in our lives between our school days and our career. It prepares us with the finest academics and platform to generate dreams into realities. It acts as a transition to prepare us to be more independent. In school, we were dependent on our parents. However, we became independent in college regarding studying, traveling, decision-making, and financially independent after college. It is a valued and very smooth transition where we do not realize that we have become independent. 

Some Fun Memories from College Life

Firstly, some of the most fun memories of college are “college canteen”. The canteen is supposed to be where most of the students satisfy their hunger and hang out with their friends. 

Secondly, it’s the “annual fest” of the colleges. Fests always filled the student’s life with excitement and buzz. It gave new opportunities to explore, compare, compete and provide a platform to showcase their talent. It became a place where students take lots of pictures and record their experiences. 

Last but not the least, it’s the college trips. One of the best things in college life is field trips where they can go out and have quality time with their friends and teacher and learning experience. Field trips or just any other college trips are filled with stories and dramas. Every student has their own story to tell about their college trips. 

We should enjoy our college days as they cannot be brought back just like our school days. 

The Hardest Part of College Life

As a college student, the hardest part of college life was leaving college after graduation or post-graduation. The last days of college were the hardest, knowing that soon you will be departing your friends, the campus, teachers and completely leaving behind a part of life.  

My College Days Experience

Talking about my college life, I had enjoyed my college life to the fullest and had some of the best college days of my life. I was a student of one of the most reputed colleges of Delhi University and, i.e. Gargi College. I have completed my B.A. (Hons.) in Applied Psychology from there. Gargi College is one of the renowned and best colleges of Delhi University. Built in a larger area, it is a beautiful college with many courses in streams like Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities. With an outstanding academic record, it is a girls college.

When I took admission to this college, I was really afraid as all the people were new to me. But soon, I started enjoying my college life and made some fantastic friends. I loved everything about my college and participated in the events at my college. Even I joined the dance society of my college and participated in many dance competitions that occurred in different colleges of Delhi University. 

One of the best things about college life is that you get a new experience every day. In my college life, along with studying, I and my friends enjoyed a lot of other things. We traveled to lots of places, had new experiences, and learned many new things. Our college's canteen was a remarkable place in my college life as whenever we got time, we used to chill in the canteen. 

Another thing I loved about my college life is Annual Fests. Every year, every college of Delhi University organizes an annual fest that lasts for 2-3 days. In this annual fest, various competitions happen, and students from various colleges come to be a part of this annual fest. Every year, our college organizes a massive annual fest and all the students of our college participate in various events and enjoy a lot in this fest. These fests allow students to socialize with new people and showcase their talent to everyone which builds their confidence and helps them in their future. I have participated in my college's annual fest for all three years, and I have got the best exposure and experience of my life through this fest. I had the best time of my life in college, and my college life memories will always make me happy.

Life After College

One fine day, you will be silently smiling with wet eyes, looking at the pictures from your college and old friends, and remembering all the good times you had in your college days. That is the beauty of studying in a college. Despite climbing the ladders of success, you will cherish the memories of your college life.

College Life is a remarkable and essential time in a person's life, and everyone should enjoy it. College Life teaches us many things and builds our confidence to face the challenges and struggles in our future. Instead of just focussing on the study, a person must participate in other activities and socialize as much as possible in his/her college life as all these things help in the overall development of a person.

FAQs on College Life Essay

Q1. What is the difference between college life and school life?

When compared to each other, they both are completely different from each other. College life provides us with different opportunities to explore to nurture our confidence in the outside world. In school, the teacher acts as a monitor whereas, in college, they act like our friends, and not to forget, in college, we face more challenges than we had in our school.

Q2. Explain some of the common memories of college life.

Whenever you hear the word college, the first thing that comes to our mind is “college canteen”. The most beloved place for every student was to feed their empty stomach, spend time with friends, and create thousands of memories. Another most common memory is of the annual fest that bought buzz in every student’s life.

Q3. Why are colleges necessary?

When we go to school, they ensure that we have common educational knowledge. Whereas in college, we get specialization in a particular field we want to pursue as our career. That’s the reason our school friends get scattered in various colleges to make their dreams a reality and open better career options.

Q4. Which two things need to be focused on the most in college?

The two most important things in college are the Grade Point Average (GPA) and your participation in other co-curricular activities.

Preparing for College Life Essay

As one thinks about the new life in college, it helps students to be clear on some of the ways that college is unique from the outset. If a student has just graduated from high school, one is likely to find some distinctive differences. For instance, one will probably be a part of a more diverse student body, not just in terms of race, but also in terms of age, religion, political opinions, and life experiences.

Essentially, high school students spend endless hours choosing a college. They use guides to contrast schools. They surf the internet, evaluating websites and getting a feel for each college’s personality. Choosing a school is the first big decision of college life. College life is what I can consider to be the supreme privilege of the youth. The privilege of joining college admits to the privilege of deserving college. College life belongs to the great things, at once joyous and solemn, that are not to be entered into lightly.

Preparing for college life is a challenge and an opportunity at the same time. This is because to prepare someone for college is a problem that no teacher and no school have ever been able to solve.

In the widest sense, the transition from school to college is almost coincident with the transition from youth to adulthood, it is often a period in life when the physical being is excitable and ill controlled, when the mind suffers from the lassitude of rapidly bodily growth, and when the youth’s whole conception of his attitude to other people is distorted by conceit.

Sensitive to his own importance, just beginning to know his power for good and evil, one is shot into new and exciting surroundings, out of a discipline that drives and holds him with whip and reign into a discipline that trusts him to see the road and travel on it.

The best school is the one that prepares a person for this struggle, not the schools that guard students most sternly or most tenderly, nor does the schools that guards them, but the schools that steadily strengthen the students to meet new environment. The best college is the college that makes a young person into a full adult.

The first feeling of a freshman is confusion, the next one is often a strange elation at the discovery that now at last his elders have given him or her a head start. In a person’s life, at the beginning of a college course, there must be, as everybody knows, a perilous time of going out into the real world.

To many students, this time has already come at school. The less protected boarding school or academy, the more it is threatened with vices known to a college the cloistered private school does not afford. Due to the lack of opportunities in the day school, students feel themselves more free and uncontrolled. Thus, if a college is in or near a large city, there is a high possibility that a new college student can demonstrate bad habits, which has not been yet revealed by the parents.

The main objects of school and college are the same. They are to establish character, and make that character more efficient through knowledge; to make moral character more efficient through mental discipline. In the transition from school to college, continuity of the best influence, mental and moral, is the thing most needful.

In a certain sense, college is the place for mistakes. In college a young person tests the strength, and, while testing it, he is protected from the results of failure far more effectively than one will ever be protected afterwards. This is usually based on the fact that parents or authority figures are not around to monitor the life of the student. This calls for the students to be in a position to make choices and make decisions about what they feel is right or wrong. It is a period where the ability to establish and stand by principles is tested.

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 31). Preparing for College Life. https://ivypanda.com/essays/college/

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Celebrating 150 years of Harvard Summer School. Learn about our history.

Becoming Independent: Skills You’ll Need to Survive Your First Year at College

Are you ready? Here are a few ideas on what it takes to flourish on campus.

Pamela Reynolds

There’s more to succeeding in college than just scoring well on tests. Thriving on campus requires developing a few critical life skills before college.

Some of these skills are practical—like knowing how to do basic housework. 

Others are “soft skills” like knowing how to effectively manage your time, communicate well, manage stress, and cope with failure when it happens. 

In this blog, we’ll look at a few life skills for college students that are fundamental to success on campus. Some of these skills may surprise you.

What Basic Life Skills Do You Need to Succeed in College?

College campuses are the first time many of us experience living independently in a relatively unstructured environment. 

It’s up to us alone to wake up, get to class, eat nutritious meals, and manage every other aspect of our day without the sometimes annoying input (or useful suggestions) of parents and teachers. 

Navigating this freedom for the first time can feel liberating but can also be tricky. 

“ I look at it as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs,” says Samantha Gordon, assistant director of the Pre-College Program at Harvard Summer School. “If you’re not meeting your basic food, shelter, health and wellness needs, then you’re not going to be able to function.”

Food and Shelter

At the most practical level, by the time you arrive on campus, you should have learned all the basic skills necessary to live life on your own. 

These are the housekeeping skills that your parents may have nagged you about that you tried to ignore—taking care of personal hygiene, doing your laundry, making the bed, cooking a meal, and cleaning up after yourself. 

“ I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had to navigate conversations between roommates because one isn’t showering or washing their clothes and it smells,” says Gordon, who has seven years of residential life experience and has lived with more than 2,500 college freshmen over the years. 

Budgeting Skills

Basic housekeeping and hygiene are important. So is knowing how to make—and stick to—a budget.

To make your money stretch each month, you may have to prioritize purchases. That could mean skipping that restaurant meal in favor of eating in the cafeteria or turning to a local freecycle group instead of buying something on Amazon. 

Self-Regulation Skills

Self-regulation skills also fall under the category of self-care. 

They are critical because they contribute to your physical and emotional well-being. 

Self-care involves great feats of endurance (like resisting the urge to play another hour of Elden Ring at 3 a.m.) and engaging in activities that support a healthy mind and body. 

Setting a sleep schedule and sticking to it, taking medications as prescribed, and staying on top of doctor and dentist appointments are a few examples of self-care skills. 

So is recognizing when you’re stressed and knowing when it’s time to take a break. Regular exercise, good nutrition, meditation, or an hour spent tossing a frisbee on the quad with friends, are all possible ways to deal with stress. 

Gordon says that many new students come from competitive environments where they have learned to try to do everything perfectly. But in a more rigorous academic setting, perfectionism doesn’t always work. 

Students need to “figure out coping mechanisms, manage that perfectionism, and learn how to deal with failure and mistakes,” says Gordon. 

Explore summer programs for high school students.

The “Soft Skills” You’ll Need to be Independent at College

Soft skills are less about practicalities and more about knowing how to manage your time and interact with others. 

Students with these skills have learned to be tolerant, curious, open, think critically, problem-solve, and prioritize what’s important. 

Especially important, notes Gordon, is developing a sense of cultural awareness. For the first time, you may be living with a roommate from a different culture, race, ethnicity, or socio-economic background, who may think and act differently from what you are used to back home.

“ Cultural competency is definitely a huge part of college, especially if you come from a homogenous town,” she says. “That’s where listening and not judging somebody else’s culture but really trying to understand it, is really important.”

Other important soft skills include:

• Time Management. You’re going to have multiple classes, assignments, deadlines, and social commitments. Juggling them all requires setting goals, planning, and recognizing that perhaps another TikTok video is not going to help you prepare for that biology lab.
• Communication. On any given day in college, you’ll interact with professors, advisors, teaching assistants, staff, and students. Unfortunately, in our technological age, many students have forgotten appropriate ways to socialize.
• Conflict Management . You’ll need to dust-off your social skills and give others the benefit of the doubt when a conflict arises. 

Use “I am” statements that focus on how you feel rather than make accusations.

“Assume grace, assume goodwill,” says Gordon. 

Tips for Getting Organized

By now, it’s obvious that you’ll be balancing a lot of new experiences and expectations. 

How do you handle them all? Here are a few strategies:

Create a Study Routine Right From the Start

When a semester begins, use a course calendar to write down important dates which will become the key to organizing your entire semester. 

Part of your routine, says Gordon, should include choosing a place to study. Dorm rooms can be distracting so many students opt to reserve a desk at the library. 

Plan Activities Based on When an Assignment is Due

Your written list of important dates will structure your month, week, and day. 

It’s important to be realistic about the time you’ll need to study, cautions Gordon. You’ll need to find an organizational method—whether it is a physical planner, the school calendar, or spreadsheet—that works for you.

Set Goals and Eliminate Time Wasters

If you’re prone to spending hours scrolling through Instagram, Gordon recommends using apps that will help you eliminate such distractions.

“There’s tons of apps you can add on to your browser that will literally limit you to opening a tab or opening only certain websites,” she says. 

She also recommends investing in timers that will let you know when it’s time to take a break after a certain amount of focused study time.

Reward Yourself

You need to dedicate time to studying.

“But realistically,” says Gordon, “you need some time to just veg out and watch Netflix. That’s where the reward system comes in. So, you do an hour of reading, then watch a half hour of a TV show that you’ve been wanting to watch, then go back to studying.”  

Don’t Multi-task

Studies show people perform much better when focused on one task at a time. To help focus, turn off your phone and resolve to finish your task before you pick it up again.

Take Good Notes

Gordon recommends using apps like OneNote or Evernote to help keep your class outlines and notes organized. Remember to revisit your notes later in the day to re-organize, refine, and check out any reading the professor may have referenced.  

Getting Help

If you’re having trouble with roommates, classes, or coping with campus life in general, there are places you can go for help.  

The first option, says Gordon, is to confer with peers to “compare what’s happening on the ground.” 

A next stop might be speaking with a resident director or proctor who can direct you to myriad campus resources. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by classwork, for example, the academic resource center, an academic advisor, tutor, or instructor can help.

“ Going to your faculty or teaching assistants directly is how you can build some of your best faculty relationships,” Gordon says.

Finally, if you’re feeling down or struggling with mental health issues, you can turn to the campus counseling center. Most college campuses offer students short-term, long-term, and emergency counseling services.

Although some students may be reluctant to bring up issues with a parent or guardian, they can be an important emotional resource too. After all, they may have been through the same experience themselves!

When Should Parents Step In?

It takes time to adjust to college life, but parents can help. 

“ If you notice that your student is struggling, the first thing to do is to listen,” counsels Gordon. 

“Remember that the student is not you and their journey is a separate journey. It will be different from your own. And that’s okay. A lot of times we’ll have alumni parents who want their child to have a similar experience to them, but their child is different,” she says.

Some Parting Words of Advice

If you’re a new student, Gordon says you’ll have a far better college experience if you “put yourself out there.” 

Stay open. Introduce yourself to classmates. And if you find it difficult to make friends, let your residential assistant know. They can help. 

Reaching out to others may feel risky when you first arrive on campus, but you’ll find it’s worth the reward.

Learn more about Harvard’s summer programs for high school students.

About the Author

Pamela Reynolds is a Boston-area feature writer and editor whose work appears in numerous publications. She is the author of “Revamp: A Memoir of Travel and Obsessive Renovation.”

12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

College admission committees sift through thousands of college essays each year. Here’s how to make yours stand out.

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How to Write the “Overcoming Challenges” Essay + Examples

What’s covered:.

• What is the Overcoming Challenges Essay?
• Real Overcoming Challenges Essay Prompts
• How to Choose a Topic
• Writing Tips

Overcoming Challenges Essay Examples

• Where to Get Your Essay Edited

While any college essay can be intimidating, the Overcoming Challenges prompt often worries students the most. Those students who’ve been lucky enough not to experience trauma tend to assume they have nothing worth saying. On the other hand, students who’ve overcome larger obstacles may be hesitant to talk about them.

Regardless of your particular circumstances, there are steps you can take to make the essay writing process simpler. Here are our top tips for writing the overcoming challenges essay successfully.

What is the “Overcoming Challenges” Essay?

The overcoming challenges prompt shows up frequently in both main application essays (like the Common App) and supplemental essays. Because supplemental essays allow students to provide schools with additional information, applicants should be sure that the subject matter they choose to write about differs from what’s in their main essay.

Students often assume the overcoming challenges essay requires them to detail past traumas. While you can certainly write about an experience that’s had a profound effect on your life, it’s important to remember that colleges aren’t evaluating students based on the seriousness of the obstacle they overcame.

On the contrary, the goal of this essay is to show admissions officers that you have the intelligence and fortitude to handle any challenges that come your way. After all, college serves as an introduction to adult life, and schools want to know that the students they admit are up to the task. 

Real “Overcoming Challenges” Essay Prompts

To help you understand what the “Overcoming Challenges” essay looks like, here are a couple sample prompts.

Currently, the Common Application asks students to answer the following prompt in 650 words or less:

“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

For the past several years, MIT has prompted students to write 200 to 250 words on the following:

“Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?”

In both cases, the prompts explicitly ask for your response to the challenge. The event itself isn’t as important as how it pushed you to grow.

How to Choose a Topic for an Essay on Overcoming Challenges

When it comes to finding the best topic for your overcoming challenges essays, there’s no right answer. The word “challenge” is ambiguous and could be used to reference a wide range of situations from prevailing over a bully to getting over your lifelong stage fright to appear in a school musical. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when selecting an essay subject.

1. Avoid trivial or common topics

While there aren’t many hard-and-fast rules for choosing an essay topic, students should avoid overdone topics.

These include:

• Working hard in a challenging class
• Overcoming a sports injury
• Moving schools or immigrating to the US
• Tragedy (divorce, death, abuse)

Admissions officers have read numerous essays on the subject, so it’s harder for you to stand out (see our full list of cliché college essay topics to avoid ). If events like these were truly formative to you, you can still choose to write about them, but you’ll need to be as personal as possible. 

It’s also ideal if you have a less traditional storyline for a cliché topic; for example, if your sports injury led you to discover a new passion, that would be a more unique story than detailing how you overcame your injury and got back in the game.

Similarly, students may not want to write about an obstacle that admissions committees could perceive as low stakes, such as getting a B on a test, or getting into a small fight with a friend. The goal of this essay is to illustrate how you respond to adversity, so the topic you pick should’ve been at least impactful on your personal growth.

2. Pick challenges that demonstrate qualities you want to highlight

Students often mistakenly assume they need to have experienced exceptional circumstances like poverty, an abusive parent, or cancer to write a good essay. The truth is that the best topics will allow you to highlight specific personal qualities and share more about who you are. The essay should be less about the challenge itself, and more about how you responded to it.

Ask yourself what personality traits you want to emphasize, and see what’s missing in your application. Maybe you want to highlight your adaptability, for example, but that isn’t clearly expressed in your application. In this case, you might write about a challenge that put your adaptability to the test, or shaped you to become more adaptable.

Here are some examples of good topics we’ve seen over the years:

• Not having a coach for a sports team and becoming one yourself
• Helping a parent through a serious health issue
• Trying to get the school track dedicated to a coach
• Having to switch your Model UN position last-minute

Tips for Writing an Essay About Overcoming Challenges

Once you’ve selected a topic for your essays, it’s time to sit down and write. For best results, make sure your essay focuses on your efforts to tackle an obstacle rather than the problem itself. Additionally, you could avoid essay writing pitfalls by doing the following:

1. Choose an original essay structure

If you want your overcoming challenges essay to attract attention, aim to break away from more traditional structures. Most of these essays start by describing an unsuccessful attempt at a goal and then explain the steps the writer took to master the challenge. 

You can stand out by choosing a challenge you’re still working on overcoming, or focus on a mental or emotional challenge that spans multiple activities or events. For example, you might discuss your fear of public speaking and how that impacted your ability to coach your brother’s Little League team and run for Student Council. 

You can also choose a challenge that can be narrated in the moment, such as being put on the spot to teach a yoga class. These challenges can make particularly engaging essays, as you get to experience the writer’s thoughts and emotions as they unfold.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to have succeeded in your goal for this essay. Maybe you ran for an election and lost, or maybe you proposed a measure to the school board that wasn’t passed. It’s still possible to write a strong essay about topics like these as long as you focus on your personal growth. In fact, these may make for even stronger essays since they are more unconventional topics.

2. Focus on the internal

When writing about past experiences, you may be tempted to spend too much time describing specific people and events. With an Overcoming Challenges essay though, the goal is to focus on your thoughts and feelings.

For example, rather than detail all the steps you took to become a better public speaker, use the majority of your essay to describe your mental state as you embarked on the journey to achieving your goals. Were you excited, scared, anxious, or hopeful? Don’t be afraid to let the reader in on your innermost emotions and thoughts during this process.

3. Share what you learned 

An Overcoming Challenges essay should leave the reader with a clear understanding of what you learned on your journey, be it physical, mental, or emotional. There’s no need to explicitly say “this experience taught me X,” but your essay should at least implicitly share any lessons you learned. This can be done through your actions and in-the-moment reflections. Remember that the goal is to show admissions committees why your experiences make you a great candidate for admission. 

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the g arb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

This essay is an excellent example because the writer turns an everyday challenge—starting a fire—into an exploration of her identity. The writer was once “a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes,” but has since traded her love of the outdoors for a love of music, writing, and reading. 

The story begins in media res , or in the middle of the action, allowing readers to feel as if we’re there with the writer. One of the essay’s biggest strengths is its use of imagery. We can easily visualize the writer’s childhood and the present day. For instance, she states that she “rubbed and rubbed [the twigs] until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers.”

The writing has an extremely literary quality, particularly with its wordplay. The writer reappropriates words and meanings, and even appeals to the senses: “My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame.” She later uses a parallelism to cleverly juxtapose her changed interests: “instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano.”

One of the essay’s main areas of improvement is its overemphasis on the “story” and lack of emphasis on the reflection. The second to last paragraph about changing perspective is crucial to the essay, as it ties the anecdote to larger lessons in the writer’s life. She states that she hasn’t changed, but has only shifted perspective. Yet, we don’t get a good sense of where this realization comes from and how it impacts her life going forward. 

The end of the essay offers a satisfying return to the fire imagery, and highlights the writer’s passion—the one thing that has remained constant in her life.

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite. 

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin. 

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

While the writer didn’t succeed in getting the track dedicated to Coach Stark, their essay is certainly successful in showing their willingness to push themselves and take initiative.

The essay opens with a quote from Coach Stark that later comes full circle at the end of the essay. We learn about Stark’s impact and the motivation for trying to get the track dedicated to him.

One of the biggest areas of improvement in the intro, however, is how the essay tells us Stark’s impact rather than showing us: His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The writer could’ve helped us feel a stronger emotional connection to Stark if they had included examples of Stark’s qualities, rather than explicitly stating them. For example, they could’ve written something like: Stark was the kind of person who would give you gas money if you told him your parents couldn’t afford to pick you up from practice. And he actually did that—several times. At track meets, alumni regularly would come talk to him and tell him how he’d changed their lives. Before Stark, I was ambivalent about running and was on the JV team, but his encouragement motivated me to run longer and harder and eventually make varsity. Because of him, I approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The essay goes on to explain how the writer overcame their apprehension of public speaking, and likens the process of submitting an appeal to the school board to running a race. This metaphor makes the writing more engaging and allows us to feel the student’s emotions.

While the student didn’t ultimately succeed in getting the track dedicated, we learn about their resilience and initiative: I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Overall, this essay is well-done. It demonstrates growth despite failing to meet a goal, which is a unique essay structure. The running metaphor and full-circle intro/ending also elevate the writing in this essay.

Where to Get Your Overcoming Challenges Essay Edited

The Overcoming Challenges essay is one of the trickier supplemental prompts, so it’s important to get feedback on your drafts. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

18 Ways to Prepare for Your Freshman Year of College

Students should follow these steps so they're ready when classes begin.

Getty Images |

• Be ready before classes start.

Transitioning from high school to college  can be a big change for students, with many moving away from family and friends for the first time. For those stressing over this new life chapter, there are ways to prepare before classes begin. From researching academic supports to practicing time-management, the following tips can help incoming freshmen get organized and build a foundation for college success.

• Be prepared to be treated as an adult.

The transition from high school to college is more than just a move to a higher level of education. In many ways, it signifies the change from childhood into adulthood. And although students may not feel quite like adults, that's how colleges and universities will treat them, says Josh Stern, vice president for student services and dean of students at Gwynedd Mercy University in Pennsylvania. Mail and information surrounding grades and financial aid will go to students instead of parents or guardians, he says. Students "need to understand that mom and dad, or their parents or supporters, might not be getting that information," Stern says. "They really need to know how to navigate planning their schedule, when the bills are due and how to access their grades."

• Embrace time-management tools.

College offers a sense of independence that many students didn't have in their high school years, when teachers and parents kept them on track for graduation. Balancing the academic and social demands of college can be a challenge for even the most diligent students. But there are plenty of digital tools designed for students, and a little organization can go a long way in making sure time is used wisely. Smartphone apps and tools can help students limit time on entertainment and social media and maintain their study schedules. "I always encourage students to think about things that help them maintain their focus, have a little bit of self-care, but also to have fun," Stern says. "They need time to blow off steam, to take care of stress, and there’s lots of resources on campuses to help them do that."

• Make a plan for communicating with your parent or guardian.

Going off to college isn't just an adjustment for students. It can often be a challenge for parents and guardians, particularly those with first-generation college students. Striking the right balance between letting students be independent and maintaining parental responsibilities can be tough. Students and parents should determine plans for how and when to communicate, especially as it relates to important matters like grades, bills and financial aid. "It’s important that they have a conversation with their parents about how often they’re going to be in touch, not just to ask for money or to come home to do laundry,” Stern says. "What are the parents' expectations for their student in terms of communication and sharing information?"

Getty Image |

• Read as much as possible.

College coursework consists of substantially more reading than is required in high school. Students should start getting used to the increased workload by reading books during high school and the summer before college . While many students read for pleasure over the summer, some colleges assign a specific book to incoming classes to read prior to the start of the semester, which may then be discussed in introductory courses and other forums. Students looking for a good read should check out some of the common reading programs used at colleges across the nation, including multiple New York Times bestsellers and books grappling with societal and political issues.

(Getty Images) |

• Research possible college majors.

At most colleges, freshmen don't need to know right away which college major they will pursue. But students should start thinking about it in preparation for selecting courses. Those interested in prelaw and premed, for example, should learn more about those tracks if their college offers them. Experts encourage students to explore academic advising programs at their respective schools to understand what classes are needed to complete requirements for majors or minors and ultimately their path to graduation day.

• Build a manageable course schedule.

While some colleges have students set up their freshman year class schedule at orientation, others do so during the summer. Students who are hoping to graduate early, or who have extra requirements due to their major, may feel compelled to take a heavy course load. But for the average student, it's best to stay within the recommended number of credits and courses per semester, says Sara Harberson, founder of college consulting firm Application Nation. That number will vary, but she says any more than five courses per semester can create a significant challenge. "The college recommends a certain number and a certain number of credits for a reason,” she says. “All the students who take more than that really do struggle for the most part academically, and then it cuts into everything else they want to take advantage of on that college campus – the social opportunities and the extracurricular opportunities."

• Think carefully about what's needed for your dorm or apartment.

While some students who attend college locally may elect to live at home, many will move into on-campus dorms or apartments. The living situation will determine what to bring, but a little preparation will go along way. For instance, the air conditioning in some dorms might not be as strong as some students are used to at home, so bringing a small fan is a good idea, says Connie Horton, vice president for student affairs at Pepperdine University in California. Dorm rooms might also offer a smaller space than at home, so that should also be a consideration. Roommates should coordinate o avoid bringing two of any items when only one is needed, like a refrigerator or microwave. But still bring enough to make your living space personal, Horton says. That can include throw pillows, blankets or photos. Doing so can bring some familiarity and help you feel more comfortable and at home, she says.

• Stay connected through your school email and student portal.

Important information regarding campus life, classes or on-campus opportunities might come through email during the summer, so activate your school email account as soon as possible and be sure to check it. Most colleges also have a self-service portal that contains all the information a student will need regarding schedules, credits, financial aid, academic advising and other important info. Don't wait until the school year starts to use it. "Learning how to navigate the internal mechanisms of the university and how they communicate is really important," Stern says. "Since students really live in that digital space, it’s a lot easier to navigate if they familiarize themselves with it over the summer prior to starting school."

• Polish your people skills.

College pushes students to develop strong communication and people skills . From group projects to communicating with professors, an ability to convey ideas clearly and work collaboratively will serve students well. That includes dealing with social issues. Many students will find themselves working closely with people from different backgrounds and life experiences, so they should consider taking advantage of diversity and inclusion workshops or books. “Part of learning as an adult is learning to have relationships and conversations with neighbors, colleagues and all kinds of ... (people) that are very different from you," Horton says. "So this is a good time to practice that."

Knowing how to work well with others will also come in handy when it's time to apply for jobs and internships during school and after graduation.

• Make a plan for managing your money.

The independence that college brings can sometimes get students in trouble financially. Students should speak with their parents or mentors about finances and create a budget, says Jennifer Seitz, director of education for Greenlight, a family-based financial planning app. Because expenses can add up, it’s prudent to look for ways to save money, she says. Local restaurants and businesses often offer discounts to college students, so make a list of places to go to save money on food, clothes, textbooks or other items. Also be mindful of spending and plan to be more selective about how and where to spend. While it might feel hard in the moment to skip out on an impromptu food run with friends, saving that for a more meaningful occasion may be best, she says. “Know where you want to prioritize some of that discretionary spending,” she says.

• Weigh getting a job freshman year.

College is expensive, and costs go beyond tuition and fees. Day-to-day expenses make up a significant chunk of a student's college budget. A part-time job can alleviate budget strains, but also take time away from classes. Some students may be eligible to participate in the federal work-study program , and college financial aid offices can help answer questions before the semester begins. Finding a job in their desired field of study can also help students gain valuable career experience. Before making the decision to work as college freshmen, students should talk to their families about financial expectations. “You want to prioritize and focus on your studies, but you also want to be able to meet your financial needs," Seitz says. "It’s important to find a position that’s flexible with your school schedule."

• Keep in touch with the financial aid office.

If a family's financial situation changes in the months before freshman year, there are options to get more help to pay for college. The website of the Federal Student Aid office notes that students or families that have had their income affected by a loss of employment, a reduction of work hours or various other factors may be eligible for additional funds to pay for college by writing an appeal letter . Stay in touch with the financial aid office and ask for more financial support if it's needed.

• Refresh yourself on difficult concepts from high school.

Many college courses build on previous knowledge, and professors assume students enter their classroom with mastery, or at least competent understanding, of material covered in high school. This is particularly true in math and foreign language courses, says Colleen Paparella, founder of college admissions consulting firm DC College Counseling. If there's content students are still unsure about or need more practice with, they should spend some time over the summer before freshman year studying, she says. “It’s going to be hard to go to the next level of Spanish in college if they didn’t fully grasp what they were supposed to have learned in AP Spanish in high school,” Paparella says.

• Know how to stay safe on campus.

Campus safety is a concern for many students, so researching a college's procedures ahead of time can help them feel safe. Students should practice common sense by being aware of their surroundings and learning about how their college handles safety issues, including sexual assault. Both parents and students should take time before the semester begins to become familiar with campus safety resources and procedures. Families unsure of how to gauge campus safety can use these 6 questions as a starting point to understand what to look for and expect when their student heads off to college in the fall. "Whether you go to college in a major city or you go to college in a very rural area, be aware of your surroundings," Harberson says. "On campus, it’s almost like you have to have eyes in the back of your head. I don’t think it’s just reserved for students who go to college in an urban area."

• Prepare for how to deal with social pressure around alcohol or drugs.

Away from home, students may find it easier to slip into unhealthy behaviors, including around alcohol and drugs. That is particularly true during freshman year, when parties and other social events are aplenty. Students should be mindful of these pressures and recognize that what may feel like minimal participation at first can quickly spiral into academic and legal problems, Horton warns, saying students should begin with the end in mind. “It is the beginning of adulthood. They are on their own," she says. "Yet, they’re still needing a little help in making healthy choices sometimes. Just think through basics like drink refusal strategies, stuff like that.”

• Make the most of orientation activities.

Orientation typically begins in the weeks and sometimes months before classes start and can be a great way for students to get acclimated and ask plenty of questions . Realize that everyone is trying to make friends and adjust to a new environment, so don't be shy. After orientation, many schools offer unique first-year experiences that help students further connect with their classmates and college community. Attending these sessions can help students meet new friends and "get ahead of the curve" before the school year starts, Harberson says. "They understand the campus. They understand the buses. They understand where things are. They get a feel for college classes. I see that as a huge advantage going into college."

• Research ways to get involved.

College provides a number of opportunities for students to explore existing interests or embark on new hobbies. Whether it's joining a musical ensemble or organizing around social issues, many schools make it easy to get involved. Having a plan of action before arriving will help students select meaningful activities and ensure they don't miss important sign-up dates or meetings once school starts. Use social media to discover clubs or organizations you might like to join, then reach out via email, Paparella says. Look for ones that seem active and inclusive. “Once students get onto campus, they can go to some of these activities and already have an idea in mind of what they’d like to sign up for,” she says.

• Know where to go for academic help.

Incoming freshmen should be aware that colleges offer a range of ways to get academic help. Many schools have writing centers dedicated to helping students with essays and research papers . Students having difficulty in a class or who just want to speak with a professor one-on-one should take advantage of open office hours. School libraries can also offer knowledgeable staff and study resources to help students. These options can be especially valuable for international students who might be struggling with English language skills or students who need accommodations . Be proactive in reaching out to the necessary offices if you need support, Harberson says. "Most colleges and universities are doing a really great job with those."

Find more resources for college success.

The college journey doesn't end after freshman year, and U.S. News has a wealth of information on everything from finding scholarships to how to write a resume for opportunities like internships. You can also get the latest news by following U.S. News Education on social media, including  Facebook and Twitter .

Tips for a successful freshman year

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Resources / Prepare And Apply

6 Steps to Start Your College Essay

Getting started on your college essay can be one of the hardest parts of applying to college. Our advice? Take it one step at a time.

Most counselors and students who have applied to college recommend getting started on your college essays early -- the summer prior to senior year, if possible. If you find yourself putting it off, or if you’re experiencing essay anxiety, take a deep breath and try this 6-step plan.

Step 1. Review the essay prompt(s)

Take 15 or 20 minutes to simply look at the essay prompts. The Common Application and Coalition Application release their prompts during the spring prior to senior year.

• Common App essay prompts
• Coalition App essay prompts

If you’re applying to colleges that require an essay but don’t accept the Common App or Coalition App, check the website of the colleges to which you are applying to see if their application and essay is available. Most colleges post their applications in August.

Don’t worry about choosing a topic yet. At this point, just think about what you want colleges to know about you, beyond your grades and test scores. As the Colorado College Admissions Department advises: “Take the time to think carefully about what you want us to know about you.”  

Step 2. Start brainstorming

On another day, look at the prompts again. Do any of them invoke personal experiences that demonstrate a unique aspect of your personality? Your academic passions? Your ability to learn and grow from your experiences? Or another quality you want colleges to remember? Write down everything that comes to mind.

Step 3. Test drive a few topics 

Some of the students profiled in CollegeData’s Road to College Student Stories have told us that when they connected with an essay topic they were truly passionate about, their essay practically wrote itself. How do you find that topic?

Spend at least a few afternoons or evenings writing about the experiences you brainstormed in Step 2. Write freely and don’t edit yourself at first -- just get your words and ideas on paper.

When you’re finished free writing, ask yourself:

• Which topics were easy -- or even fun -- to write about?
• Where did you have the most to say?
• Which piece of writing seems to reveal the “real you” and your genuine voice?

Remember that your essay does not have to be about a harrowing hardship, tragic loss, or a jaw-dropping adventure. As the Wellesley Admissions Department advises: "An essay about some small, even insignificant-seeming thing can be more powerful than an essay about how you’ve saved the world or overcome tragedy.”

Step 4. Write a (terrible) first draft or two

Once you have selected your topic, you can start structuring your first draft. But don’t expect your first, or even third or fourth draft, to be perfect. Give yourself time to write multiple versions, and plan to walk away from your essay for at least a couple of days so you can come back to it with a fresh perspective.  

Keep in mind that you may be able to use parts of the early drafts of your essay -- writing that didn't make it into the final version  -- for supplemental essays or other parts of your application.

Warning: Be careful about being overly influenced by online essay examples.

While reading essays submitted by other students can be helpful, reading too many might put the voices of other students in your head. Your essay should be uniquely yours. As the Princeton Admissions Department advises: “This is your opportunity to display your best writing as well as your ability to convey ideas in your own voice.”

Step 5. Get feedback from a teacher, counselor, or other people you trust  

Some questions to ask the readers of your essay:

• Does the essay ring true to them?
• Does the language sound like you?
• Did they find any parts of it unclear or difficult to understand?

Step 6. Write as many drafts as you need to 

Revise and get feedback until you feel confident that your essay says what you want it to say. Then have a teacher, counselor or another person you trust proofread your essay to ensure there are no grammatical or punctuation errors and that it is clear and easy to read.

With your essay finished, you can then work on the other parts of your applications . Good luck!

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We try to make content available to you on CollegeData.com that you may find helpful. The content may include articles, opinions and other information provided by third parties. If we can reasonably fact check articles provided by third parties and information used in those articles, we will. However, opinions of third parties are their own, and no fact checking is possible. The content on CollegeData.com may not apply to you or your situation. We recommend that you refrain from acting or not acting on the basis of any content contained on CollegeData.com without consulting with your parents, high school counselors, admissions representatives or other college counseling professionals. We will not be liable for the content on CollegeData.com or your actions based on any content on CollegeData.com. 

How To Prepare For College: Essential Tips for Young Adults And Adolescents

The Pure Life Team

• September 6, 2023

Let’s face it. Gen Z have grown up during tough economic times with increasing uncertainty. There’s an enormous amount of pressure to succeed. Many of these kids feel like they’re strapped to the top of a speeding freight train, going 100 miles per hour, final destination unknown, with no stops or detours. This can be an overwhelming experience for many, and the result is an anxiety-ridden generation of youth that have had no time for self-discovery, are fearful about the future, and are afraid of making mistakes and disappointing loved ones. 

As your child enters their junior or senior year, you’ve undoubtedly given thought to how to prepare for college. You may ask yourself: How can you ensure your graduate is ready for college? What is the college application process like, and are there any tips for college admission success? 

We’ve also considered these questions. We work with young adults and families daily, looking to answer these important questions regarding college readiness for young adults , and we’ve got some great practical advice to share.  

Understanding College Preparation

When you typically think of college preparation, your mind instantly goes to college applications, writing that perfect essay, or getting prepped to get that high score on an ACT/SAT. But we’re here to share how college preparation should be much more than that. 

Whether an adolescent does it right or not, how they prepare for college will shape future academic and personal success. Young adults on the cusp of newly found autonomy may still require scaffolding to help them navigate the right next steps. Simply put, being prepared for college means finding the right fit between you and your college of choice. There are many factors to the college selection process, but some of those factors are tuition costs, knowing what they want to study or do, emotional maturity, knowing if the college experience is right for your child (if they hate the snow, don’t go to a college in North Dakota), knowing if they need a degree or if a trade school is a better fit, or knowing whether an alternative path like community college for the first two years or a therapeutic gap year might be the next right step. 

The College Placement Process

While college admissions and placement haven’t changed much over the last decade, it’s fair to say that most colleges look at academic performance, extracurricular activities, and how interesting you look on paper. 

We recently enjoyed interviewing Jeff Dvorak on our In The Trenches podcast . Dvorak has an inside track regarding college admission–he currently works in admissions for UC Berkeley and owns a New York-based educational consulting firm. Dvork’s advice for what separates one great student from thousands of high-performing applicants? Diversity and personality. 

Dvork’s number one college success strategy is all about how well you can demonstrate during the application process what your passions and interests are. And they don’t have to be world-renowned. “It doesn’t matter what you do,” says Dvorak, “It’s that you do something.” Whatever you’re into, whether it’s downhill skiing, volunteer work, or winning yo-yo contests–showcasing authentic passions and interests will greatly increase your chances of admission, providing that you meet the minimum academic requirements.

TRENDING: How A Therapeutic Gap Year Can Help You Succeed In College

College Application Tips

We get it. This is an important step, and a lot goes into crafting a compelling college application. Embarking on that process can seem daunting. Here are our best practical college admissions tips for crafting an attention-grabbing college application:

Include a well-written personal statement.

A well-crafted personal statement is a crucial component of your college application. It should provide insight into your character, experiences, and aspirations. Be honest, and don’t exaggerate achievements or experiences. 

Craft an impactful essay.

Writing an impactful college admissions essay can greatly influence your application’s success. Follow these simple steps to craft an essay that admissions officers aren’t likely to forget.

• Avoid using clichés or writing what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Instead, focus on sharing a unique perspective that only you can provide. 
• Tell a story. Personal essays are always about connection, and storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to build a connection. A well-told story with vivid details can captivate the reader’s attention and make your essay memorable. 
• Show, don’t just tell. Use descriptive language to create a clear picture and immerse the reader in your narrative. Use anecdotes, experiences, or situations highlighting your skills, values, and character traits. For instance, instead of saying, “I’m a team player,” describe a specific instance where you operated as a team member to achieve a common goal. Showing your qualities through real-life examples makes your essay more vivid and convincing.
• Edit, edit, edit! Writing a strong essay often requires multiple drafts and revisions. After writing your initial draft, set it aside for a day or two and revisit it with a fresh perspective. Consider sharing your essay with trusted peers, teachers, or mentors for feedback. 

Include extracurricular activities.

Admissions committees want to get to know the real you. Your application should reflect your passions, experiences, and personality. Feeling like washing dishes or working at McDonald’s isn’t good enough to list as an extracurricular activity? Think again. A part-time job shows you have life skills that will help you succeed in college, like communication, time management, money management, commitment, leadership, etc.

DISCOVER: Common Mistakes Young Adults Make In The College Process

Request strong letters of recommendation:

Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your abilities, character, and potential. Provide them with relevant information about your accomplishments and goals to help them write personalized and compelling letters. A strong letter of recommendation can provide valuable insight into your qualifications.

Just be you.

Remember, the college application process is a chance to showcase your strengths, aspirations, and how you’d contribute to the academic community. Admissions officers value authenticity. Your essay should reflect your true self, including your values, passions, and personality. Write genuine and compelling essays that showcase your unique qualities and perspectives using these tips:

Common Mistakes To Avoid 

Applying to college takes a lot of dedicated effort. Don’t let all that effort go to waste by unwittingly making these three big college application mistakes: 

Procrastination And Missed Deadlines

Waiting until the last minute to start your applications or failing to submit materials on time can significantly impact your chances of admission. Colleges have strict deadlines, and missing them may result in your application not being reviewed. To avoid this costly mistake, create a detailed application timeline that includes enough time for researching schools, writing essays, gathering recommendations, and completing forms well ahead of the deadlines.

Lack Of Attention To Detail

Grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies in your application materials can give the impression of carelessness or lack of effort. Proofread your essays, résumé, and any other written components meticulously. Even a single spelling mistake can detract from the overall impression of your application. Consider having others review your materials, as a fresh set of eyes can catch errors you might have missed.

Generic Or Unfocused Essays

Submitting generic or unfocused essays that could apply to any college is a common mistake. Additionally, writing essays that lack a clear focus or fail to reveal your personality, experiences, and goals can make your application less compelling and memorable. 

LEARN MORE: College Is Stressful! It’s Okay To Ask For Help

Is College Always A Good Fit?

We love the perspective that Jeff Dvorak brings to the admissions process. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, Dvorak says to slow down the process. “The ‘best’ school, says Dvorka, “is the ‘right’ school for your child.” Is Harvard the right school? That’s debatable. It could be that the best college for your young adult is not a big-name university; it could even be a smaller community college, or it may be that a therapeutic gap year or semester is what you need. It is important to get it right–college will always be there and ready to take your money when you make that step. 

The most important thing you can do for your child is to provide them with guided self-discovery. The most successful young adults have figured out what kind of life they want, what that looks like, and what it will take to get there. And if your young adult is unsure about any of those, just slow the process down. Get a job, travel, or volunteer your time. The worst thing you can do is rush ahead, strapped to that train going 100 miles per hour with no end goal. We have a growing generation of kids quitting/failing out of college because they can’t figure out what they want.

If you’re thinking about college, do your homework. Check out interesting academic programs, the campus culture, and the location (hot or cold, small town or big, far from home or close?), and take advantage of virtual tours if you can’t get on campus. Being on campus can give you an up-close view of what life might be like at the college of your choice. But if you think you’re not ready to commit, it’s time to get creative. One of those creative paths could be taking a therapeutic gap year or semester. 

A Therapeutic Gap Year – The Ultimate Guide To Self Discovery

While college may not be for everyone, a therapeutic gap year can be a wonderful time of self-discovery, even for the most successful college-bound senior. It’s not uncommon for many young adults to lack the social or emotional maturity to make good decisions. And it may just be that they need the gift of time to find themselves so they can succeed in college . A famous philosopher once said: “As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” 

A therapeutic gap year is a great way to get to know yourself–what you like, what you don’t like–and take the time to figure out what you’re good at. Taking it slow with an alternative path just might be a blessing in disguise that could help your child avoid costly mistakes , and maybe put your young adult on a different path. One that they maybe should have been on in the first place. It can change everything. Pure Life Adventure offers a holistic, tailored environment to develop personal growth, skill-building, and emotional maturity. Reach out to us to discuss how our program can develop the skills your young adult needs to set them up for future success. 

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How to Prepare for College Life

It’s never too early to start preparing yourself for college life—whether you are still in high school or you’re packing to leave for your first year away from home. Transitioning to life on campus is one of the most memorable experiences you will ever have. To ensure you are ready to take your higher education by storm, follow our six tips to get ready.

1. Think About Finances

College is expensive. We’re guessing you’re not a millionaire (yet), so the money for school will have to come from someplace. First, talk to your parents to find out what portion they might be able to help with and what you will be responsible for. Then, set up a plan to reach your financial goals.

Getting a part-time job and a savings account is the most proactive solution. However, you should also begin actively looking into scholarship opportunities and your options for financial aid well before senior year.

2. Do Your Best Academic Work

Although this may seem obvious, your grades are the most significant determining factor for getting accepted to the college of your choice. Additionally, they also often come into play when it comes to student aid and scholarships. Do the best work you can and then try even harder. If you feel you could have done better on your SAT or ACT exams and you have the chance to retake them, do it.

3. Work on Your Social Skills

Nobody is asking you to become an overnight extrovert, but if you tend to lean more towards wallflower than social butterfly, you should practice branching out. Communication is the glue that holds everything together. That won’t change throughout life. Your relationships (or lack thereof) with your fellow students, professors, and others all depend upon a connection.

To improve your social abilities, start raising your hand more often in class. Ask and answer questions and stop worrying about what others think of you. If you want and need something, you will need to speak up. Remember the old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

4. Develop a System to Manage Your Time

If you think you are overwhelmed with activities now, college will be a whole new realm for you. Not only will your plate be pretty full, but you also won’t have parents and teachers telling you what to do and when to do it. With this newfound freedom comes the considerable responsibility of managing your own time. Get in the habit now of setting your own schedule. Buy a planner or use a time management app to block out time for sleep, school, work, and play. Your future self will thank you for the self-discipline.

5. Find out More About Your Future Home

You probably take for granted many of the things available to you right now, but when you get to college, everything will be new. Do you know where to go if you need to get your cell phone fixed? If you get sick, where is the nearest pharmacy? Maybe you are craving fast food, and nothing else will do.

Familiarizing yourself with your new surroundings before you arrive will help give you some peace of mind. Instead of going in blind, you will have a helpful list of resources and services to avail yourself of from day one.

While you are researching your town, check out student services at school as well. Read through all of the programs and perks the school offers. Then, make a mental note of those that might come in handy down the road.

6. Keep an Open Mind

A lot will change over the next four years. College is all about mind-expanding experiences. You will be learning about yourself and what you want out of life. You will also be meeting many people from different cultures and with different worldviews.

Prepare yourself for new experiences by doing something you have never done. Watch a foreign film, wear something outlandish, attend a town council meeting. It doesn’t really matter what you choose as long as it is something you would not have considered before. You will likely wind up with some new thoughts to go along with the experience.

Expanding your thoughts is the name of the game. There is so much more than what you have had in front of you up to now. Be open to new ways of thinking about and doing things. This expansion will serve you well as you prepare for the full growth experience that college life will bring.

• How to Prepare for a College Interview
• How to Prepare for College Admissions
• How to Prepare for College Applications
• How to Prepare for College Classes
• How to Prepare for College Classes over the Summer
• How to Prepare for College Dorm Life
• How to Prepare for College Entrance Exams
• How to Prepare for College Financially
• How to Prepare for College in High School
• How to Prepare for College in the Summer
• How to Prepare for College in Your Junior Year
• How to Prepare for College Mentally
• How to Prepare for College out of State
• How to Prepare for College Placement Exams
• How To Prepare For College Rejection

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Essay Prompt: Describe a Life Event Which You Feel Has Prepared You to be Successful In College

Background information.

Before we embark on this introspective journey, it is essential to understand the concept of "college success." It encompasses more than just academic achievements; it encompasses personal growth, adaptability, effective communication, critical thinking, and time management skills. College success requires the ability to navigate through challenges and capitalize on opportunities, ultimately shaping one's future endeavors.

The transition from high school to college is a significant milestone in one's educational journey. It is a time of new beginnings, expanded horizons, and increased independence. However, with this newfound freedom comes a set of challenges that can be overwhelming for many students. The college environment demands a high level of self-discipline, self-motivation, and a strong work ethic.

What Is "College Success"?

Academic success in college is not solely dependent on intelligence or prior knowledge but also on a range of skills and qualities that enable students to effectively navigate the complex world of higher education. These skills include effective time management, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication.

Time management is a crucial skill for college success. With the multitude of academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and social commitments, students must learn to prioritize their tasks, manage their time effectively, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Critical thinking and problem-solving are essential skills that enable students to analyze information, evaluate different perspectives, and make well-informed decisions. College coursework often requires students to think critically, apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, and generate innovative solutions to complex problems.

Adaptability is another crucial aspect of college success. The college environment is dynamic and ever-changing, requiring students to adapt to new situations, adjust their study strategies, and embrace new learning methods. Flexibility and the ability to navigate through unexpected challenges are key to thriving in the college environment.

Effective communication is a skill that transcends academic success and is vital for personal and professional growth. College life involves interacting with professors, peers, and other stakeholders, both in and outside the classroom. Good communication skills enable students to express their ideas clearly, collaborate effectively, and build meaningful relationships.

In summary, college success is not solely determined by academic prowess but also by a range of skills and qualities that enable students to thrive in the college environment. Effective time management, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication are all essential components of college success. As we explore the life event that has prepared me for college success, we will delve deeper into these skills and understand how they can be honed through personal experiences.

Example Execercise Analysis & Walkthrough

Now, for those of you thinking, "Well, I can't think of anything right now," fret not! Let me share a fictional event, and we can explore it together:

Made-Up Event: The Midnight Library Project

A student named Alex once initiated a project called "The Midnight Library." It was an endeavor to keep the school library open until midnight during the exam weeks, ensuring students had a quiet place to study. Alex had to persuade the school's administration, manage the logistics, and ensure students abided by the library's rules. It wasn't easy, but by the end, students had a conducive environment to prepare, leading to an overall improvement in exam scores.

Now, whether you have your own event or you're following along with Alex's story, let's dive deep into it:

 1.  Emotions and Challenges: Think about the feelings and hurdles associated with your event. What did you feel during its inception, its challenges, and its conclusion?

   • Alex's Story: Can you imagine the nervousness Alex felt while presenting the idea to the school board? Or the frustration when some students left a mess behind?

 2.  The Growth Curve: How did you grow or change as the event unfolded?

   • Alex's Example: From our story, Alex not only learned about leadership and responsibility but also understood the nuances of negotiation and diplomacy.

 3.  The "So What?" Factor: Now, think about why this event was significant. How did it impact others or the community?

   • Using Alex: The Midnight Library wasn’t just about extended library hours. It was about creating an environment of dedication, mutual respect, and collective growth.

 4.  Skills for College: Alright, here's the fun part! Extract the skills or lessons you've learned and think about how they'll serve you in college.

   • For Alex: The ability to rally peers around a cause can be instrumental in group projects. Negotiating with the school's administration? Sounds like skills that would come in handy during college club leadership!

 5.  Your Personal Reflection: How do you view the event now? With nostalgia? Pride? A mix of emotions? Dive deep and be honest.

   • Alex's Takeaway: Every time Alex sees a library, there's a sense of pride in creating something lasting for future students.

Alright, your turn! Reflect on your chosen event and follow the path we've just discussed. By the end, you won't just have an event but a narrative, a story that reflects who you are, and the college-worthy skills you've honed.

Remember, whether it's the Midnight Library or your unique tale, it's not just about what happened, but how you tell it.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Journey to College Success

In this blog post, we have explored the essay prompt that asks us to describe a life event that has prepared us for success in college. Through introspection, we have delved into a significant life event, and developed an outline to start writing!

By reflecting on this life event, we have discovered the valuable skills and lessons learned that directly apply to college success. Effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and personal growth have all been enhanced through this transformative experience. We have seen how these skills are essential for navigating the challenges and opportunities that college presents.

It is important to recognize that each individual's journey to college success will be unique. The chosen life event may vary from person to person, but what matters most is the ability to reflect on personal experiences and extract meaningful lessons. Whether it be participating in leadership programs, engaging in community service, overcoming personal hardships, or pursuing passion projects, the key is to identify the skills and attributes developed through these experiences and apply them to college life.

As you embark on your own college journey, I encourage you to explore your own life events and experiences. Take the time to reflect on the challenges you have overcome, the lessons you have learned, and the skills you have developed. Embrace the growth that has taken place within you and recognize the invaluable tools you possess for college success.

Eventually, you will find your community and get into college. I highly suggest MeetYourClass , it is the largest and most centralized platform to find other students going to college. Find roommates, friends, and learn about campus life.

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