essay about first year of college

1.2 The First Year of College Will Be an Experience

Questions to Consider:

• How will you adjust to college?
• What are the common college experiences you will have?

Adjustments to College Are Inevitable

College not only will expand your mind, but it may also make you a little uncomfortable, challenge your identity, and at times, make you doubt your abilities. It is hard to truly learn anything without getting messy. This is what education does: it transforms us. For that to happen, however, means that we will need to be open to the transformation and allow the changes to occur. Flexibility , transition , and change are all words that describe what you will experience. Laurie Hazard and Stephanie Carter (2018) 6 use the word adjustment . Hazard and Carter (2018) believe there are six adjustment areas that first-year college students experience: academic, cultural, emotional, financial, intellectual, and social. Of course, you won’t go through these adjustments all at once or even in just the first year. Some will take time, while others may not even feel like much of a transition. Let’s look at them in brief as a way of preparing for the road ahead:

• Academic adjustment . No surprises here. You will most likely—depending on your own academic background—be faced with the increased demands of learning in college. This could mean that you need to spend more time learning to learn and using those strategies to master the material.
• Cultural adjustment. You also will most likely experience a cultural adjustment just by being in college because most campuses have their own language ( syllabus , registrar , and office hours , for example) and customs. You may also experience a cultural adjustment because of the diversity that you will encounter. Most likely, the people on your college campus will be different than the people at your high school—or at your workplace.
• Emotional adjustment. Remember the range of emotions presented at the beginning of the chapter? Those will likely be present in some form throughout your first weeks in college and at stressful times during the semester. Knowing that you may have good days and bad—and that you can bounce back from the more stressful days—will help you find healthy ways of adjusting emotionally.
• Financial adjustment . Most students understand the investment they are making in their future by going to college. Even if you have all your expenses covered, there is still an adjustment to a new way of thinking about what college costs and how to pay for it. You may find that you think twice about spending money on entertainment or that you have improved your skills in finding discounted textbooks.
• Intellectual adjustment . Experiencing an intellectual “a-ha!” moment is one of the most rewarding parts of college, right up there with moving across the graduation stage with a degree in hand. Prepare to be surprised when you stumble across a fascinating subject or find that a class discussion changes your life. At the very least, through your academic work, you will learn to think differently about the world around you and your place in it.
• Social adjustment . A new place often equals new people. But in college, those new relationships can have even more meaning. Getting to know professors not only can help you learn more in your classes, but it can also help you figure out what career pathway you want to take and how to get desired internships and jobs. Learning to reduce conflicts during group work or when living with others helps build essential workplace and life skills.

The table Six Areas of Adjustment for First-Year College Students provides a succinct definition for each of the areas as well as examples of how you can demonstrate that you have adjusted. Think about what you have done so far to navigate these transitions in addition to other things you can do to make your college experience a successful one.

“Experiencing an intellectual ‘a-ha!’ moment is one of the most rewarding parts of college, right up there with moving across the graduation stage with a degree in hand.”

Analysis Question

Which of the six areas of adjustment do you think will be the least challenging for you, and which do you think will be most challenging? What can you do now to prepare for the more challenging transitions?

What Students Say

• Extremely confident
• Somewhat confident
• Not very confident
• I will likely persist and persevere until I figure it out.
• I will likely try to solve the problem, but if it is really difficult, I will simply move on to something else.
• I will likely ask my parents or friends for advice.
• I will likely seek help from resources on campus.
• The amount of work required in all of my courses
• The fact that I know hardly anyone
• My ability to handle all of my obligations
• Making good grades so I can continue to stay in college
• My concern that I may not belong in college
• All of the above are equally stressful

You can also take the anonymous What Students Say surveys to add your voice to this textbook. Your responses will be included in updates.

Students offered their views on these questions, and the results are displayed in the graphs below.

How confident are you that your high school and/or work experience have prepared you academically for college?

When you experience a college-related challenge and are not really sure how to solve it, what best describes the action you’re likely to take?

Rank the following in terms of how much stress you feel in these situations (1 being the least amount of stress and 6 being the most amount of stress). (Graph displays the percentage of students who ranked the choice highest, indicating the most amount of stress.)

• 6 Hazard, L., & Carter, S. (2018). A framework for helping families understand the college transition. E-Source for College Transitions , 16(1), 13-15.

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Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/college-success/pages/1-introduction

• Authors: Amy Baldwin
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: College Success
• Publication date: Mar 27, 2020
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-success/pages/1-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-success/pages/1-2-the-first-year-of-college-will-be-an-experience

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Essay Curve

Essay on My First Day At College – Short & Long Essay Examples

Essay on My First Day At College: The first day at college is a memorable experience for every student. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, filled with excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. In this essay, I will share my own personal experience of my first day at college. From the nerves of meeting new people to the thrill of exploring the campus, I will recount the emotions and events that made this day unforgettable. Join me as I take you through this significant milestone in my life.

Table of Contents

My First Day At College Essay Writing Tips

1. Begin by describing your feelings and emotions on the night before your first day at college. Were you excited, nervous, or a mix of both? Share your thoughts and expectations for the upcoming day.

2. Talk about your preparations for the first day at college. Did you pack your bag, choose your outfit, or set your alarm clock? Describe any rituals or routines you followed to ensure a smooth start to your college journey.

3. Share your first impressions of the college campus. What did you notice first? Was it the architecture, the students, or the atmosphere? Describe the sights, sounds, and smells that stood out to you on your first day.

4. Discuss your interactions with fellow students and faculty members on your first day. Did you make any new friends, or have any memorable conversations? How did you feel about meeting new people and navigating social dynamics in a new environment?

5. Reflect on your experiences in your first classes. What subjects did you study, and how did you feel about the material? Were there any challenges or surprises that you encountered in your academic pursuits on the first day?

6. Share any memorable moments or funny anecdotes from your first day at college. Did you get lost on campus, struggle to find your classroom, or have any unexpected encounters? These moments can add humor and personality to your essay.

7. Conclude your essay by reflecting on the overall experience of your first day at college. How did it compare to your expectations, and what did you learn from the day? Share any insights, lessons, or resolutions that you gained from this new chapter in your life.

8. Proofread and revise your essay to ensure clarity, coherence, and correctness. Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, and make any necessary edits to improve the flow and structure of your writing.

By following these writing tips and incorporating personal details and reflections, you can create a compelling and engaging essay on your first day at college. Good luck!

Essay on My First Day At College in 10 Lines – Examples

1. My first day at college was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. 2. I woke up early, eager to start this new chapter in my life. 3. The campus was bustling with students, all heading to their classes. 4. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the size of the campus and the number of buildings. 5. I struggled to find my first class, but eventually made it just in time. 6. The professor was welcoming and the other students were friendly. 7. I was relieved to see some familiar faces from orientation. 8. The day was filled with introductions, syllabus reviews, and icebreaker activities. 9. By the end of the day, I felt more comfortable and excited for the semester ahead. 10. Overall, my first day at college was a memorable and positive experience.

Sample Essay on My First Day At College in 100-180 Words

My first day at college was both exciting and nerve-wracking. As I walked through the campus gates, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of freedom and independence. The campus was bustling with students, and I could feel the energy in the air.

I was anxious about making new friends and navigating my way through the unfamiliar surroundings. However, as the day went on, I started to feel more comfortable and at ease. I attended my first classes, met my professors, and explored the campus.

One of the highlights of my first day was meeting my classmates and engaging in interesting discussions. I realized that college was a place where I could learn, grow, and challenge myself in ways I had never imagined.

Overall, my first day at college was a memorable experience that marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I was excited to embark on this new journey and make the most of the opportunities that awaited me.

Short Essay on My First Day At College in 200-500 Words

My first day at college was a mix of excitement and nervousness. I had been looking forward to this day for years, but now that it was finally here, I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. As I walked through the gates of the campus, I couldn’t believe that I was finally a college student.

The campus was bustling with activity as students hurried to their classes. I felt a little lost at first, not knowing where to go or who to talk to. But as I looked around, I realized that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. Many of my fellow freshmen looked just as lost as I did, and it made me feel a little better knowing that I wasn’t alone.

I finally found my way to my first class, and as I sat down at my desk, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I was determined to make the most of it. The professor walked in and started the class, and I was immediately captivated by the subject matter. I had always loved learning, and I knew that college was going to be a place where I could truly indulge my passion for knowledge.

After my first class, I had a break before my next one, so I decided to explore the campus a little bit. I was amazed by the beauty of the buildings and the lush greenery that surrounded them. I could already tell that this was going to be a place where I could feel at home.

As the day went on, I met some of my classmates and started to feel more comfortable in my new surroundings. We exchanged phone numbers and made plans to study together, and I felt grateful to have already made some friends on my first day.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I had survived my first day at college, and I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of my time here had in store for me. I knew that there would be challenges ahead, but I also knew that I was ready to face them head-on.

My first day at college was a whirlwind of emotions, but it was also a day that I would never forget. It marked the beginning of a new journey for me, one that I was excited to embark on. I knew that college would be a time of growth and discovery, and I was eager to see where this path would lead me.

Essay on My First Day At College in 1000-1500 Words

My first day at college was a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. I had been looking forward to this day for months, and now that it was finally here, I couldn’t believe it. As I walked through the gates of the college campus, I felt a rush of emotions wash over me.

The campus was bustling with activity as students hurried to their classes, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer size of the place. The buildings were grand and imposing, and I couldn’t wait to explore every corner of this new world that I had entered.

I made my way to the registration desk, where I was greeted by a friendly staff member who handed me my schedule and a map of the campus. I felt a sense of relief knowing that I had everything I needed to navigate my way through the day.

My first class was English Literature, and as I walked into the lecture hall, I was struck by the sight of so many students gathered in one place. The professor introduced himself and began the class with a brief overview of the course syllabus. I was amazed by his knowledge and passion for the subject, and I knew that I was going to enjoy studying under his guidance.

After the class ended, I made my way to the cafeteria for lunch. The food was delicious, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie as I sat at a table with my classmates, discussing our first impressions of college life.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes, lectures, and meetings with professors. I was overwhelmed by the amount of information that was being thrown at me, but I was determined to make the most of this opportunity and learn as much as I could.

As the day drew to a close, I found myself feeling a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. I had survived my first day at college, and I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of my time here had in store for me.

In the days and weeks that followed, I settled into a routine of attending classes, studying in the library, and socializing with my classmates. I made new friends, discovered new interests, and challenged myself in ways that I never thought possible.

College was a time of growth and self-discovery for me. I learned to think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with others. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and took risks that ultimately paid off in ways that I never could have imagined.

Looking back on my first day at college, I realize now that it was just the beginning of a journey that would shape me in ways that I never thought possible. I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities that college has given me, and I know that the lessons I learned during those formative years will stay with me for the rest of my life.

In conclusion, my first day at college was a whirlwind of emotions and experiences that set the tone for the rest of my time there. It was a day of new beginnings, challenges, and opportunities that I embraced with open arms. I am grateful for the memories and friendships that I made during my college years, and I will always look back on that first day with fondness and gratitude.

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Experience Iowa

10 Lessons I Learned in My First Semester of College

Picture this… you move away from home for the first time of your life to live in a dorm on a college campus with some person that you met on Facebook. You’re on your own, going to college is something you’ve never done before, and you are surrounded by people you’ve never seen before. You’re in a completely unfamiliar place, experiencing something completely new. You’re thrown into this new chapter of life, you have no choice but to simply learn how things work as you go.

Looking back on my first semester, I’m so amazed and encouraged by the countless little lessons I had to learn. Some the easy way, and some the hard way. Here’s a list of a handful of things I learned so that you don’t have to! Maybe this list will answer a question you didn’t know you had, or make you even more excited to come and start your college adventure at Iowa!

1. Everyone is in the same boat.

• Making new friends is intimidating! I was so worried that I was going to be alone, that people weren’t going to want to talk to me, etc. However, what I came to realize was that I was not AT ALL alone. Actually, the complete opposite. All of those things that I was worried about and going through, a countless amount of other people were going through it too. Everyone is trying to meet their people, so you will actually be almost overwhelmed by the number of people you begin to connect with. It all starts out with your name, major, and hometown but then certain friendships will go deeper than that and it is a super exciting and beautiful thing!

2. Academically… you need to apply yourself to a whole new level.

• To be honest, I never truly had to try in high school. The college workload hit me like. a. garbage. truck. I had to teach myself how to take notes in different classes and simply how to study. Outside of class, I needed to really discipline myself in a way I never had to in high school. You need to do MORE than the bare minimum & watch your lectures 🙂

3. Prioritize your meals.

• In the business of life and day-to-day tasks, it’s easy to literally forget to eat! Look at your schedule & make time for food, we have meal plans for a reason! And we kind of need food for like, life. I know it may sometimes seem like getting work done is worth skipping meals. But trust me, your work will still get done & you can be even more productive when you’ve had some food to sustain you. Yes, classes are important and taxing, but when it comes down to it, your wellbeing is worth so much more!

4. Say YES to last-minute plans!

• Okay, there are exceptions to this… if you NEED to do your homework, or if you NEED a night to chill by yourself, it is OKAY to say no to plans if it is better for your mental health. BUT personally, I am an extrovert and love being spontaneous and most of my favorite memories were unplanned. If you want to really get to know people, go do things with them! Go to coffee shops, get insomnia cookies, have game nights, get off campus, etc. Contrary to some beliefs, college is not all about school. I think the college experience and the friends and the memories you make are what make college worth it.

5. Get out of your dorm, go sit somewhere pretty.

• It is difficult to be productive when you’re sitting right next to your bed, or your tv. Also, the dorms are great and all, but it feels soooo good to get out of that shoebox. Especially if you live on the west side, having some go-to study spots on the east side is a must. Voxman Music Building, BizHub in the PapaJohn Business Building, the library, and the IMU are all great places to explore on campus. You could also find a coffee shop downtown if busy environments are more your style. Java House is a really popular one! Other places I’ve tried are High Ground Café, Tru Coffee, and Fix! I have to say though, my absolute favorite place to be is the Encounter Café.

6. Clarity is kindness.

• In the past, I have had such a hard time being straightforward with people because I was worried about what they would think or say. But living with a roommate has taught me extremely valuable lessons about communication and honesty. Be honest with your roommate if you have a need or desire. Be honest with yourself about what you want in life at college. Everybody is learning and growing in different ways, so if there is something on your mind, don’t shove it down, just talk about it! Hard conversations almost always end with relief. I am so thankful for my roommate and the conversations we have had that ultimately brought us closer!

7. Time management.

• In college, time management is more difficult than ever because nobody is keeping you accountable except yourself. I would’ve been completely lost this semester if it wasn’t for my planner. Each week I wrote down when I had classes and student organizations. Then I had a checklist of assignments I had to complete that week and their due date, and a separate checklist for regular to-do items. This system worked for me, so I suggest that you find a system that works for YOU! It is okay if things don’t always go as planned, because let me tell you, they won’t! But having it all organized made even changing plans less stressful.

8. Your feelings are valid.

• Yes, college is super fun and exciting and all, but it has its moments. Though it looks different for everyone… homesickness, sadness, and loneliness are all completely normal and valid feelings. These feelings hit you at the most random times, there is no reason to feel ashamed when they do. It helped me to find a friend to talk about it, chances are they truly understand and you guys can work together through it! Sometimes it really helped to call someone from home that I may be missing at that moment. If you feel like what you go through is more serious, campus has countless mental health resources that you can reach out to. No matter what, you never know what someone is going through so be kind. Smiling and saying hi can really make someone feel appreciated and change the course of their day. <3

9. 3 words. The bus system.

• Learning how to navigate the bus system is important especially if you live on the west side. However, it is quite the complicated adventure when you are first figuring it out. There are so many different routes, and the estimated arrival times are not always accurate and it is confusing! Download the Transit app, and remember this phrase “Blue to Burge, Red to Rienow.”  That’s honestly the only advice I can give you, practice makes perfect. GOOD LUCK!

10. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself!

• I would get SO frustrated with myself if I didn’t do something right. I would act as if I should’ve known better! If you find yourself in the same position as me, won’t you just give yourself some grace?!? It’s okay to mess up, it’s okay to get things wrong, it’s okay to make mistakes. You’ve never been to college before, so you are in no way supposed to know everything. In the end, those mistakes are how I’ve come to learn all of these sweet lessons. If you are frustrated with yourself, take a deep breath, learn from it, and move on. It really is as simple as that, and it is going to be okay.

I feel confident when I say that I am not the same person now compared to when I first entered college. My first semester has stretched me and forced me to grow in all aspects of life. Even with all of the mishaps and roadblocks, I honestly would not change a single thing about the way things went. Over the last few months, I’ve met people and made memories that I can’t imagine my life without. It has been the craziest, best 4 months of my life!

My roommate and I were reflecting before we came home for Christmas break and she said, “Your first semester is everything you want it to be and more, but also nothing like you thought it was going to be at the same time. And it’s outstanding.”

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — College Life — My First Experience: A Reflection on the Impact of College Life

My First Experience: a Reflection on The Impact of College Life

• Categories: College Life

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Published: Mar 8, 2024

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Broadening horizons, skills and knowledge, personal growth and development, sense of purpose and direction.

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Your First Year of College: How to Prepare & Be Successful [+ Infographic]

Starting college is one of our biggest milestones. It feels like a whole new beginning, as though the adult life we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! You may feel excited but also scared, embarrassed, and a bit lost too.

To survive these new challenges, you need to know how to get ready , what to avoid , and what to do to maximize success . You’ll find all this and loads more in our experts’ ultimate guide for incoming college students, including beneficial tips and a handy infographic.

• 🧳 Getting Ready for Your Freshman Year
• 🔝 15 Tips for Thriving
• 🚫 What to Avoid
• ✨ Tips for Maximizing Your Success
• 🍃 Mental Health Tips for College
• 🖼️ Infographic
• 🎁 Bonus Insider Tips

🔗 References

🧳 before you start: getting ready for your freshman year.

So, high school is over, and you’re waiting for college to start . What about undertaking arrangements in advance? Doing it will help you prevent common beginner’s mistakes.

Here are our top tips for incoming college freshmen who have just graduated high school. Check them out to ensure your first day of college goes smoothly:

1. Go to College Orientation Events

College orientation is a must. It’s not just a formal compulsory event but also an opportunity to learn more about this new world you’re about to enter.

The duration and specifics of orientations differ from college to college. Most often, they include a guided tour for first-year students. There are also information sessions where you will be introduced to college policies, academic resources, clubs, support services, professors, peers, and more.

💡 Quick Tip: Write a list of things you want to know beforehand, and don’t hesitate to ask questions.

2. Perfect Your Time Management Skills

Being at college gives you much more freedom but also increases your responsibilities. Time management is one of your most demanded skills now. Though having no strict routine may seem tempting, a well-structured schedule will help you a lot during your first year.

Here are the essential tips that will help you learn how to manage your time:

• Outline your goals clearly.
• Make a schedule with important events and appointments.
• Use a weekly checklist for essential tasks.
• Use breaks in your schedule efficiently (for example, go grocery shopping.)
• Cut down your social media time.
• Reward yourself for reaching your goals.

3. Learn Useful Studying Techniques

The next thing you can do is figure out your preferred study technique and master it in advance. There are many fun and efficient methods, such as color coding , the Pomodoro technique , flashcards , or group study . If you are unsure which option is the best fit for you, try several methods and see what works.

One more thing you definitely need to master is note-taking . Here are some helpful techniques for you to try out:

• Outline method involves organizing your notes in a hierarchical format with bullet points and indentations. It’s great for situations where you must show the relationships between ideas.
• Cornell method goes like this. You divide your page into three sections: a main note-taking area, a section summarizing key points, and another for questions or comments.
• Writing on slides is a great technique to use when attending lectures and presentations that provide a printed copy or a file with slides. This method involves taking notes directly on the slides.
• Bullet journaling is a more creative note-taking method. It involves creating a personalized notebook with your to-do lists, calendar, and notes in one place.

💡 Quick Tip: Avoid using your laptop to take notes. Even if you are disciplined enough to stay focused, you might find yourself simply copying down your professor’s words without engaging with the content.

4. Think about Essential Safety Measures

Safety should always be a priority. Though campuses may not seem like the most dangerous places, taking precautions is always a good idea.

Make sure to remember the following before starting college:

• Never walk alone late at night.
• Never leave keys to your dorm room lying around , even if you go to take a shower.
• Always use a buddy system when going to a party or meeting new people.

You can also download mobile apps like Noonlight or bSafe . They have a lot of security features to ensure your safety, like tracking your location, summoning emergency help, recording audio and video, and more.

5. Look for Affordable Secondhand Textbooks

Textbooks are expensive! And they are getting more expensive each year. That’s why we recommend you save money by buying used books. You will thank us later.

We recommend you browse these stores to see whether you can find something you need at a lower price:

• Half Price Books ,
• ThriftBooks ,

💡 Quick Tip: Take good care of your textbooks. You can then resell them at the end of the semester and get some money back!

6. Invest in a Comfortable Pillow and Mattress

To stay healthy and full of energy through a challenging first year at college, you must always get a good night’s sleep . Unfortunately, dorm beds are often uncomfortable, and it’s almost always noisy with so many students around. Take care of yourself by buying a comfortable mattress and pillow.

💡 Quick Tip: You’re not going to live alone in your room, so we recommend you also pack earplugs and an eye mask—just in case.

7. Map Out Your Classes in Advance

The day your classes start is going to be really busy. To avoid getting lost or, worse, embarrassed, make a detailed plan :

• Think about what classes you’ll have and where they are held.
• Don’t forget about lunch. Can you buy something nearby? Or maybe organize your lunchbox yourself.
• Map out your route before leaving your dorm and make it as detailed as possible.

Doing all these things will leave you more time to get to know other students and make new friends instead of wandering around!

8. Master Smart Storage Solutions

Have you already made a list of things you want to take? We bet it’s pretty long. Here’s the thing: college dorms are really small , and you’ll have to share your room with another person, who’ll probably have a lot of stuff too.

To help you out here, we have two essential tips:

• Cut out unnecessary stuff .
• Practice smart storage .

Smart storage is the best way to fit all the must-haves in your room. Buy a few dorm items that help you organize your stuff and maximize your storage space, such as an over-the-door organizer, bedside caddy, or a storage ottoman.

9. Be Positive!

Yes, college is an entirely new experience, and you might feel nervous, especially on your first day. Despite fears, keep a positive attitude and let yourself enjoy it!

🔝 Freshman Year Survival Guide: 15 Tips for Thriving

So, your first day is over, and you’re a full-fledged student now. We bet you are overwhelmed with all the new things in your life—so many classes, people, places, and duties appear in addition to your new independent life.

How are you to survive or, in fact, thrive in all this chaos? Check out these helpful tips for college freshmen from successful students who have been through it all!

1. Go to Class and Strive for Excellence

This is the first and most important rule. After all, studying is the main reason you go to college. Though getting good grades was relatively easy in high school, now you’ll have to really strive for them. So, set your goals and always make an effort!

Skipping classes, especially morning ones, may look tempting. Resist the temptation ! First, professors usually remember who shows up to their classes, even if they don’t take attendance. Second, during your classes, you’ll hear a lot of important information you’ll never find in your textbooks. Believe us: it’s absolutely worth it.

2. Connect with Your Academic Advisor

You’re bound to encounter challenges, problems, or conflicts throughout your college years. Luckily, you have a person to help you deal with all that: your academic advisor .

An academic advisor offers valuable advice and helps you throughout your college career. So, we recommend you get acquainted with them and turn to them whenever necessary. Feel free to request another advisor if you don’t get along with the one appointed to you.

3. Join a Club and Explore Campus Life

Being new to college is indeed very stressful. With all the scary new things, your dorm room may look like a safe place you can hide away in. Well, that’s the worst thing you can possibly do !

A person needs friends to be happy and motivated , and college offers you plenty of opportunities to find them. Fraternities, sororities, clubs, and sports teams are great places to meet new people and make new connections.

4. Get Organized

In high school, your teachers usually remind you about due dates. Well, don’t expect that at college. Most professors post the assignments with due dates for the entire semester and expect you to track them yourself .

The best ways you can do this are the following:

• Write them down in a planner;
• Mark them in your wall calendar;
• Use a mobile app, such as Todoist or Trello .

Choose any of these options or all three at once to ensure you remember when and what is expected of you.

5. Eat Healthy Foods

To cope with a busy college life, you’ll need plenty of energy and good health. The best way to achieve that is to watch your eating habits and strive to eat healthy . Here’s some helpful advice for you:

• Eat your breakfast. No matter when you get up, make sure you find time for a healthy balanced meal before going to classes.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of plain water will improve your concentration and prevent overeating.
• Limit your fast food intake. A little fast food now and then won’t harm you, but avoid eating it all the time.
• Choose food rich in calcium. Take care of your future and add milk, low-fat yogurt, cheese, or other calcium-rich products to your diet.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine intake. This is obvious. Too much of both will have a detrimental effect on your health.

6. Watch Your Budget

If you want to avoid getting into financial trouble, you should learn how to budget as soon as possible. These smart budgeting tips will surely help you:

• Keep track of your savings. Knowing exactly how much you have will help you plan your spending.
• Avoid using a credit card. Having one is not always a bad idea, but we don’t recommend it unless you are fully confident you can use it responsibly. If you do use one, always pay on time.
• Consider cheaper dining options. Registering for the college meal plan, shopping for groceries, and avoiding dining out too often can lead to substantial savings.
• Avoid bringing a car to campus. Use public transportation or a bike instead – it will benefit your health and the environment.
• Try to put about $25 in your saving account every month. This way, you’ll surely have some money when you finish college.
• Learn to manage your finances yourself. Having your parents handle your taxes and other financial matters is not a very good idea.

7. Take Advantage of Free Student Perks

Here’s a fun fact: students can enjoy some great discounts! Your student ID gives you access to cheaper airline tickets, shopping discounts, and much more. If you check prices at movie theaters, diners, and other local attractions, you’ll notice they have special offers for students or a designated day when a student can get a good discount.

💡 Quick Tip: Make sure you also take advantage of the things available on campus . Free movies, lectures, gym memberships, and many other resources are available to you and are already included in your tuition fees.

8. Learn to Get Along with Your Roommates

Conflicts are the last thing you need, especially with your roommate. Your dorm room is supposed to be a relaxing place, not a battlefield. To guarantee you’ll get along with your roommate , remember to show mutual respect, discuss shared spaces and chores early on, and address issues before they escalate.

9. Find Balance and Relax

Your college success consists of two essential parts: your studies and social life. Do your best to find balance and ensure you have enough time for yourself. Your brain needs a break to work as it should. Care for yourself and do things that help you relax, like yoga, journaling, or just watching your favorite TV show

10. Exercise for a Healthy Mind and Body

Numerous studies show a significant decrease in physical activity duration in students during the transition between high school and college. Yes, it may be challenging to fit physical activity into your busy college life. But if you want to stay healthy and energetic, you must find the time.

Here are some key tips:

• Play a sport. Join a club or a team and make sport a fun game instead of a chore.
• Ride a bike. Use it to get around the campus and keep fit.
• Go to the gym. You don’t have to spend hours there; a quick workout is enough.
• Vary your exercises. Try to mix different types of activities to maximize their benefits.
• Make it fun. Bring a friend, choose unusual exercises, and do anything to make your workout fun.

11. Master Your Morning Routines

Waking up early and avoiding morning anxiety is important for a productive day. Here are top tips that will surely help you:

• Put your alarm clock in a place you can’t reach from your bed. This will help you resist the temptation to sleep some more.
• Turn on the lights immediately upon waking to feel more awake. Of course, you should only do this if your roommate is not sleeping or is just waking up.

12. Talk to Your Professors

Freshmen are often terrified of their professors. They may think that college staff will look down on them or treat them like kids.

Well, we’re here to tell you this isn’t true . Most professors respect students and will provide valuable guidance. The earlier you realize this and establish a connection, the better.

Professors won’t hand everything to you in the same way your high school teachers might have done. Build a good relationship with your professor, and you’ll have yourself a good friend and a helpful advisor.

13. Try New Things

Moving to college starts a whole new chapter of your life. It’s the best time to discover and try new things! Here’s why you should do that:

• To pinpoint fulfilling hobbies. Most colleges offer a wide variety of unique opportunities to their students. It’s an ideal way to discover inspiring pastimes to cultivate.
• To refine old interests. Try and explore the new aspects of something you’re already good at.
• To check whether your dream job really fits you. It’s an excellent opportunity to see if your supposed dream jobs actually suit you.

In any case, trying new things will help you to learn more about yourself and help you grow as a person .

14. Make Your Own Choices

College is a time for exploration and discovery. Experiment with your clothes, your hair, or your personal style. Try to change your diet or listen to new kinds of music. It’s your time! Be yourself, and don’t let anyone make your decisions for you.

However, it’s important not to make hasty decisions, especially when it comes to partying. Students should avoid risky behaviors like binge drinking because judgment is impaired. Always remember that and steer clear of such issues.

15. Cozy Up Your Dorm Room

To make your college life more pleasant, transform your dorm room into a comfortable personal space. Here are some quick decorating tips :

• Use cozy bedding with vibrant colors and patterns.
• Decorate the walls with pictures, photos, posters, flags, DIY art, and such.
• Place pine cones or other natural scented items around the room for a pleasant aroma.
• Add rugs on the floor; they’ll make your dorm room much cozier.

Feel free to come up with your own unique dorm room décor ideas !

🚫 What to Avoid as a Freshman

Our freshmen college tips list would be incomplete without discussing some common mistakes students make. Keep reading to learn the typical freshmen traps and how to avoid them!

Procrastination Pitfall

Procrastination is your worst enemy . It steals your time and makes you fall behind in your studies. What can you do about it? Here are some ideas:

• Admit it. Don’t make excuses; just admit that you’re procrastinating.
• Know your triggers. Think about what distracts you from studying and try to eliminate it.
• Remove all distractions. Silence your phone, use earplugs, or play white noise to focus.
• Reward yourself. Give yourself something nice whenever you finish tasks on time.
• Take a break. Use the Pomodoro or any other method to track your breaks and work time to boost your productivity.

Buying Your Textbooks Too Soon

If you hurry and buy all your textbooks in advance, you may spend more money than you need to. College professors often include an exhaustive list of books that are only recommended and not compulsory reading. The best idea is to talk to your professors and discuss which books are actually required for your course.

Overloading Your Schedule

Your first semester is going to be hard anyway. Don’t complicate it even further by overscheduling . Take your time to adjust to new situations and environments. We also recommend you remember to give yourself regular breaks.

We’ve said it before and will say it again: don’t try to add too much to your plate! You may want to go to classes and clubs, take part in social activities, and play sports all at once. But the truth is, you can’t do it all. Prioritize, and feel free to cut back on the things you’re unsure about.

Last-Minute Studying

College studying is much more challenging than high school. You can’t study for only 20 minutes and expect to keep up! Maybe you could do that back then, but college requires an entirely different approach.

What’s important here is to be realistic and give yourself enough time . Starting a project or studying for an exam in advance will reduce stress and lead to better results.

Hoarding Stuff

Dorm rooms are tiny, and trust us: you don’t need all that stuff you plan on taking with you. There’s no need to clutter your space with things that have sentimental value or things you may use only occasionally.

What we do recommend is to take the key necessities . A laptop, phone, stationary, bedding, basic toiletries, clothes, and medications are essential. The rest is optional.

Being Awkward

This often becomes a serious problem for introverts and socially anxious students. They can be shy and insecure, preventing them from opening up and making friends. To relax, some use unhealthy coping mechanisms, like alcohol. But we have some better tips to avoid awkwardness and thrive :

• Attend the networking events your college hosts. It’s the easiest way to meet fellow students.
• Join a sports club or take up a team sport. That’s another simple way to meet people with the same interests as you.
• Don’t sit alone in your lectures. Though it may seem terrifying, sit next to someone and say hi.
• Realize that nobody is judging you. People actually have enough of their own worries and don’t care about you as much as it may seem.

Mismanaging Money

As mentioned, responsible money management is crucial for your success at college. However, students often ignore this and get into financial trouble.

The main mistakes students make are:

• Overspending. This is even easier if you have a credit card. To avoid this, know exactly how much money you have and get rid of your credit card if you see you can’t use it responsibly.
• Not having a money plan. Besides tuition fees, you’ll have a lot of expenses like transportation, books and supplies, social activities, etc. Before your semester starts, make a budget and stick to it.
• Confusing wants and needs. Learning to differentiate between the two will help you stick to your budget.

The All-Nighter Lifestyle

We all know the popular stereotype of college students who spend their nights studying or partying rather than sleeping. And though all-nighters will happen, be careful not to turn them into a habit .

Lack of sleep has the same adverse effect as alcohol intoxication. It harms both your physical and mental health. Experts agree that studying during the daytime and getting more sleep before an exam leads to better outcomes.

✨ Tips for Maximizing Your College Success

All students dream about success in college. What can be better than being productive, managing to do everything, and studying subjects that you really like? If you want to maximize your success at college, here are some great tips for you!

Follow Your Academic Aspirations

You’ve chosen your academic major but are now unhappy with your decision. That’s fine! As mentioned, college is about finding what fits you best. You can change your major if you aren’t satisfied with it. According to National Center for Education Statistics, 80% of students do this at least once .

The process of changing a major may differ depending on the college. We recommend contacting your academic advisor, who can give you some helpful hints on choosing your new major and explain the switching process.

If you’re ambitious and feel like one major is not enough, go ahead and pursue a double major . Usually, students choose a second major in a field that complements the first one, like Biology and Psychology.

💡 Quick Tip: What if the majors available don’t satisfy you? Well, you can try to create your own major ! This will require some work and close cooperation with your advisor. But trust us: you won’t regret it.

Start Preparing for Your Career

You can start preparing for your career right from your first year in college. If you do that, you’ll finish your education with some professional experience in your resume. Besides, it’s an excellent way to earn extra money and build professional relationships.

Here are some options you might want to explore:

• A part-time job. This is a perfect option if you can find something related to your career aspirations. Besides, having a job will significantly improve your time management skills.
• An internship. Students usually consider this option in their junior or senior years, but freshmen can also apply. There are two types of internships: paid and unpaid. Whichever you choose depends on your goals and financial situation.
• A federal work-study job. This is a government program that offers you work related to your course of study.
• A “warm-body” job. If you can’t find anything related to your field of study, find something that allows you to do your home tasks while working, such as helping a librarian.
• Summer orientation for incoming students. This job type is a great way to build confidence and develop communication skills.

Study Smart

A phone and laptop are invaluable instruments for your study. They allow you to access the internet and study no matter where you are. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing can also do a lot of harm to your concentration and productivity . Here are a few ways to prevent possible negative impacts:

• Organize an ergonomic workstation in your room. This must include a desk that keeps your monitor at least 20 inches away from your eyes and a comfortable chair. Having a place designed only for work is crucial, especially if you take online classes.
• Working with a computer, never forget to protect it against malware. Windows Defender, antivirus programs, and ad blockers will make your work safer and much more comfortable.
• Another critical point is always to back up your data. The information copied to a flash drive, external hard drive, or cloud-based application can save you hours or even days of hard work in case the original files get corrupted.
• Turn your smartphone into your helper. Use reminders and alarms to monitor important deadlines, a task management app to organize your work, and an app blocker to avoid distractions.

Stay Productive

Staying focused and productive is essential for thriving in college. Check out some practical habits that’ll help you stay organized and cope with tons of tasks:

• Track your time. Time tracking will show you what you are spending your time on. For more efficient studying, break your projects into smaller tasks and track how much time you spend on each.
• Make a plan. Use mobile apps or a pen and notebook to create a to-do list. Once you’ve noted them down, you can focus on completing these tasks.
• Mute the noise. It’s hard to focus when your phone keeps buzzing all the time. Put your phone on mute when you study; you can check all the messages and notifications after your work is done.
• Practice active recall . This is perhaps the most efficient way to memorize a lot of information.
• Stay focused. The Pomodoro technique or its variations is the easiest way to do this. The 25-minute work sessions and 5-minute breaks will help you make progress without wasting time.
• Make a timetable. This is vital before exams. Break down your work into small parts and dedicate a specific day and time to complete each.
• Take notes. We know, it’s obvious. Notes taken at lectures help you focus on the material and are an invaluable resource for exam preparations.

Best Apps for Boosting Productivity

Do you want to boost your productivity further? Try out popular productivity applications! We’ve gathered a list of the best apps to help you organize your work and manage your time wisely.

Top apps for organizing your work:

• Google Sheets. This is an easy and handy way to make a schedule you can access on all your devices.
• Evernote. This note-taking app has many useful features like digital notebooks, to-do lists, a document scanner, text extraction from images, and more. Keep in mind that many of the features require a paid subscription.
• Habitica. This RPG-styled productivity app can turn a dull to-do list into a fun game.
• Good Notes. This app can scan and mark real-world documents, write notes, create flashcards, and more. The main perk of this app is the wide selection of pen styles and colors you can pick from.

Handy applications for effective time management:

• Pomodor. This is a simple web-based timer app to help you focus on a task. You can customize the length of work and break times to create a personal work rhythm.
• Forest. Plant a tree in your in-app forest whenever you start a study session. The tree will grow while you’re working, but if you leave the app before your study session is over, your tree will perish. It’s more than just a creative way to improve your concentration skills. And yes, the company plants real trees, too.
• Cold Turkey. This app blocks accessing distracting websites, games, and apps while you work. The distractions stay blocked until your work is complete. The main drawback is that you can’t install it on your phone.
• RescueTime. The free version of this app tracks and categorizes time spent on activities. With the paid version, you’ll be able to block distracting websites. You can install the app on both your computer and mobile device.

🍃 Mental Health & Wellness Tips for College Freshmen

The college years are supposed to be some of the best years of our lives. But unfortunately, they can also be some of the most stressful . Exams, deadlines, social pressures, and new responsibilities often cause students’ mental health to suffer. The consequences can be extremely serious.

While college life is nerve-racking, especially for newcomers, following our tips will help you maintain your physical and mental health despite the demands.

Learn to Be Mindful

Mindfulness means being completely aware of the present moment. It’s a fundamental component of mental wellness. If you want to try practicing mindfulness, start with meditation. Try focusing on something repetitive like a mantra or your breathing. Regular meditation will help you relax and reduce stress and anxiety.

💡 Quick Tip: You can even go further and practice mindful living : a lifestyle that requires continuous full awareness of what you’re doing. But don’t try to change everything at once: start with the areas needing the most improvement.

As a student, you can begin by practicing mindful listening or reading. Once you’ve mastered one area, move on to the next, and you’ll notice your mental health getting better.

Set Realistic Goals

Most students start college wearing rose-colored glasses thinking everything will be idyllic. They attempt too much at once – academics, social lives, relationships, extracurriculars – confident they can balance it all. Such lofty optimism is sometimes called the freshman myth .

The freshman myth may seem harmless. After all, what’s so bad about being confident? But when students realize they can’t meet their expectations, the consequences can be catastrophic. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 20% of college students drop out after their first year because reality failed to match their ideals.

Want to avoid this happening to you? Here are a few simple tips:

• Set specific, achievable goals like attending all classes or joining a particular club.
• Create a daily to-do list with small steps, including personal hygiene and exercise, and mark them off when achieved.
• Add “fun goals” to your list, like watching a soccer match or spending a weekend with friends.

Practice Self-Compassion

Students often dramatize and catastrophize their mistakes. Many even believe that constant self-criticism will motivate growth and perfection. However, in reality, it just destroys their mental health and affects their quality of life.

Going to college is an excellent opportunity to change this pattern and practice self-compassion instead. The main focus of a self-compassion practice is to treat yourself as you would treat a person you care about.

Try to follow these steps:

• Ask yourself how you would treat and comfort your loved one in an unhappy situation.
• Speak to yourself with the same understanding and empathy you would speak to others.
• Remind yourself that humans are imperfect and other people make the same mistakes.
• Remember that truisms about learning from mistakes may seem cliché, but it doesn’t make them false.
• Re-read the part of this article about being mindful and practice it every day.

Establish a Healthy Routine

Having a routine will help you significantly improve your mental health. It gives you the feeling of purpose and control . A list of pleasant, consistent activities you do every day at the same time will also help you stay grounded.

Check out some healthy habits you may want to incorporate into your daily routine:

😴 Stick to consistent wake up and bedtimes.

🛏️ Create a relaxing pre-bed routine (e.g., meditation, listening to relaxing music, and setting the alarm) to signal your brain it’s time for sleep.

🏋️ Exercise at the same time daily to make working out a habit.

Think about any other enjoyable and stress-reducing activities and add them to your routine. The healthy lifestyle habits you develop in college will help you build discipline and ultimately do you a lot of good.

Find Your Tribe

After moving to campus, you may feel lonely at first. That’s why it’s essential to make supportive friends who will help you grow. Introduce yourself to dormmates, ask about their lives, and invite them to eat in the cafeteria together.

Most freshmen feel isolated and will be delighted to have someone to talk to, so don’t be shy.

The best way to make some new friends is to join a club . Though it sounds trite, it works. Spending time together working on a shared activity helps develop strong connections and make your college a more welcoming place.

Ensure a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is paramount to your physical and mental health. A lack of it makes you irritable and decreases your concentration.

We’ve already mentioned the benefits of a good mattress and pillow and creating your bedtime routine. Here are some additional tips:

• Take a short nap during the day, but not too close to bedtime.
• Remember that your bed is for resting, not working; never do your tasks there.
• Aim to regularly sleep 7 to 9 hours per night.
• Refrain from eating or drinking right before bed.
• Make your room as cool, dark, and quiet as possible at bedtime.

Cope with Homesickness

Homesickness is widespread among freshmen. The National Institute of Health states that 70% of first-year college students feel homesick , and 57% feel excluded from campus life. Yearning for home can develop into a substantial problem that won’t just disappear by itself.

If you have this feeling, try following our tips:

• Become familiar with your new surroundings. Explore your campus to find places you’d like to eat, study, or relax.
• Join clubs and organizations. Fill your free time with activities you enjoy and meet new people.
• Talk to college counselors. They are professionals and know how to help you.
• Call your parents. They’ll be happy to hear from you and support you.

Remember that it’s possible to survive homesickness in college using healthy coping mechanisms.

Avoid Getting Lonely

Loneliness and homesickness go hand in hand. Both often arise in unfamiliar surroundings and can harm your mental health and academic success. Use our tips to improve the situation:

• Share your feelings . Don’t bottle up your loneliness: instead, talk about it with your peers. There is nothing to be ashamed of; almost every freshman feels the same way; almost every freshman feels the same way.
• Hang out with your real-life friends. Your social media followers, no matter how numerous they are, will never substitute the real flesh-and-blood ones.
• Leave the dorms. Isolation and loneliness go together. To combat loneliness, you should communicate with people and leave your room.

Fight Depression

Depression is extremely widespread among college students. According to the Higher Education Research Institute, about 63% of all students feel depressed after entering college . Moving to a new place, adjusting to a different social circle, and adulthood can be overwhelming and lead to serious mental health issues.

The key is to be able to differentiate depression from temporary sadness. Watch out for these symptoms:

• constant irritability;
• a lasting feeling of sadness or hopelessness;
• losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to give you pleasure;
• sleeping disorders;
• constant feelings of fatigue;
• restlessness;
• a sense of guilt;
• regular thoughts of death and suicide.

If you’ve noticed most of these symptoms, immediately ask for help! College experts are there for you. The sooner you realize something is not right and seek help, the sooner you’ll return to your regular life.

We also recommend you browse our list of mental health resources for students . You may find something related to your condition and find the type of help you need most.

️🖼 Infographic: College Freshman Tips

We are sure our tips will come in handy during your exciting first year! We’ve put them all into a neat infographic that you can save to your computer. Check it out!

🎁 BONUS: 6 Surprisingly Useful Insider Tips

Here is a helpful bonus for those who read until the end! This is a list of invaluable practical college tips for freshman students that are rarely talked about, but we’re sure you’ll definitely need them.

1. Watch What You Post Online

A college is not that big. When you post something you shouldn’t, everyone on campus will know about it, and you might get into trouble. College admissions officers often monitor applicants’ social media profiles and can revoke an admission offer if they find the content inappropriate. Even worse— your future employers can see your posts too. So be mindful and ensure you don’t ruin your long-term prospects.

2. Enroll in the Most Unusual Courses

Colleges often offer a lot of unusual and unique classes. Try some of them, even if they have no relation to your major, and have fun!

Here are some examples of unexpected courses:

• Wasting Time on the Internet from the University Of Pennsylvania ;
• Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse from Michigan State University ;
• Game of Thrones from University of Virginia .

Check out what your university offers!

3. Don’t Let Visitors Use Your Microwave

Or at least supervise them while they do it. You never know what they’re going to put inside. A mishap can result in a full day of cleaning or even having to buy a new microwave.

4. Use the Weekday Laundry Strategy

Most students plan to do their laundry on weekends. What’s the result? High competition for the machines, your clothes on the floor (or in a puddle of bleach if you leave them unsupervised.) To avoid this, we recommend you plan to do your laundry on weekdays . Make the most of your time by reading or working on assignments while the machine cycles run.

5. Don’t Leave Your Clothes in the Laundry

Pick them up the moment your washing and drying are done. Firstly, not doing so is rude. Other students are probably waiting to use the machines. Secondly, some people don’t like waiting. They’ll take your clothes out and put them somewhere else. And if you leave your clothes for long enough, chances are you’ll never see them again.

6. Flip-Flops Are a Must

Always wear your flip-flops when you take a shower. Foot fungus is a rampant and irritating problem. If you’ve forgotten to pack your flip-flops, buy some, they’re cheap.

Now, you’re prepared to face your first year of college. It’s going to be great! Good luck, and have fun! If you find these tips helpful, share them with your friends.

• Study Tips for Your First Year in College: American Society for Microbiology
• 5 Lessons I Learned My Freshman Year of College: University of Arkansas
• 5 Tips For College Freshman To Help Maximize Year One: Forbes
• The Biggest Mistake I See College Freshmen Make: Slate
• What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Your Freshman Self?: Marquette University
• Freshman Study Tips: Ball State University
• 22 Tips for First-Year College Students: Psychology Today
• The Top 5 Tips for College Freshman from a Bestselling Author: WFSB
• College 101: 7 Tips to a Successful Freshman Year: The University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Healthy Tips for the College Freshman: American Academy of Pediatrics
• Five Pieces of Advice for Incoming Freshman: Utah State University
• 21 Tips Every First-Year Student Should Know: Maclean’s Education
• Successfully Transition to College Life with These Tips: University of South Florida
• Helpful Tips to Avoid the “Freshman 15”: Healthline
• A College Freshman’s Take on Freshman Year Advice: Niche
• Advice to My College Freshman: The New York Times
• How to Succeed Academically and Socially as a College Freshman: Advice from Recent Grads and Last Year’s Freshmen: LinkedIn
• Top Ten Freshman Year Issues: Mental Health America
• One Month Down, Eight to Go: Advice from College Sophomores on Surviving Freshman Year: North Jersey
• 5 Pieces of Advice I Wish I Got as a Freshman: Georgetown University
• 101 Health and Wellness Tips for College Students: Rutgers University
• 8 Ways to Sustain Health and Wellness as a College Student: Chapman University
• Studying Survival Tips: University of Connecticut
• Health and Wellness Tips: Cornell University
• Winter Health & Wellness Tips: University of Nebraska–Lincoln
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How to Write a College Essay | A Complete Guide & Examples

The college essay can make or break your application. It’s your chance to provide personal context, communicate your values and qualities, and set yourself apart from other students.

A standout essay has a few key ingredients:

• A unique, personal topic
• A compelling, well-structured narrative
• A clear, creative writing style
• Evidence of self-reflection and insight

To achieve this, it’s crucial to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through every step in the process of writing a college admissions essay.

Table of contents

Why do you need a standout essay, start organizing early, choose a unique topic, outline your essay, start with a memorable introduction, write like an artist, craft a strong conclusion, revise and receive feedback, frequently asked questions.

While most of your application lists your academic achievements, your college admissions essay is your opportunity to share who you are and why you’d be a good addition to the university.

Your college admissions essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s total weight一and may account for even more with some colleges making the SAT and ACT tests optional. The college admissions essay may be the deciding factor in your application, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

Admissions officers want to understand your background, personality, and values to get a fuller picture of you beyond your test scores and grades. Here’s what colleges look for in an essay :

• Demonstrated values and qualities
• Vulnerability and authenticity
• Self-reflection and insight
• Creative, clear, and concise writing skills

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It’s a good idea to start organizing your college application timeline in the summer of your junior year to make your application process easier. This will give you ample time for essay brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

While timelines will vary for each student, aim to spend at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing your first draft and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Remember to leave enough time for breaks in between each writing and editing stage.

Create an essay tracker sheet

If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will have to juggle writing several essays for each one. We recommend using an essay tracker spreadsheet to help you visualize and organize the following:

• Deadlines and number of essays needed
• Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts

You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template.

College essay tracker template

Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic.

If you want to write about a common essay topic, such as a sports injury or volunteer work overseas, think carefully about how you can make it unique and personal. You’ll need to demonstrate deep insight and write your story in an original way to differentiate it from similar essays.

What makes a good topic?

• Meaningful and personal to you
• Uncommon or has an unusual angle
• Reveals something different from the rest of your application

Brainstorming questions

You should do a comprehensive brainstorm before choosing your topic. Here are a few questions to get started:

• What are your top five values? What lived experiences demonstrate these values?
• What adjectives would your friends and family use to describe you?
• What challenges or failures have you faced and overcome? What lessons did you learn from them?
• What makes you different from your classmates?
• What are some objects that represent your identity, your community, your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
• Whom do you admire most? Why?
• What three people have significantly impacted your life? How did they influence you?

How to identify your topic

Here are two strategies for identifying a topic that demonstrates your values:

• Start with your qualities : First, identify positive qualities about yourself; then, brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities.
• Start with a story : Brainstorm a list of memorable life moments; then, identify a value shown in each story.

After choosing your topic, organize your ideas in an essay outline , which will help keep you focused while writing. Unlike a five-paragraph academic essay, there’s no set structure for a college admissions essay. You can take a more creative approach, using storytelling techniques to shape your essay.

Two common approaches are to structure your essay as a series of vignettes or as a single narrative.

Vignettes structure

The vignette, or montage, structure weaves together several stories united by a common theme. Each story should demonstrate one of your values or qualities and conclude with an insight or future outlook.

This structure gives the admissions officer glimpses into your personality, background, and identity, and shows how your qualities appear in different areas of your life.

Topic: Museum with a “five senses” exhibit of my experiences

• Introduction: Tour guide introduces my museum and my “Making Sense of My Heritage” exhibit
• Story: Racial discrimination with my eyes
• Lesson: Using my writing to document truth
• Story: Broadway musical interests
• Lesson: Finding my voice
• Story: Smells from family dinner table
• Lesson: Appreciating home and family
• Story: Washing dishes
• Lesson: Finding moments of peace in busy schedule
• Story: Biking with Ava
• Lesson: Finding pleasure in job well done
• Conclusion: Tour guide concludes tour, invites guest to come back for “fall College Collection,” featuring my search for identity and learning.

Single story structure

The single story, or narrative, structure uses a chronological narrative to show a student’s character development over time. Some narrative essays detail moments in a relatively brief event, while others narrate a longer journey spanning months or years.

Single story essays are effective if you have overcome a significant challenge or want to demonstrate personal development.

Topic: Sports injury helps me learn to be a better student and person

• Situation: Football injury
• Challenge: Friends distant, teachers don’t know how to help, football is gone for me
• Turning point: Starting to like learning in Ms. Brady’s history class; meeting Christina and her friends
• My reactions: Reading poetry; finding shared interest in poetry with Christina; spending more time studying and with people different from me
• Insight: They taught me compassion and opened my eyes to a different lifestyle; even though I still can’t play football, I’m starting a new game

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your essay’s structure, try to craft a surprising story arc or original insights, especially if you’re writing about a common topic.

Never exaggerate or fabricate facts about yourself to seem interesting. However, try finding connections in your life that deviate from cliché storylines and lessons.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they typically spend only a few minutes reading each one. To get your message across, your introduction , or hook, needs to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more..

Avoid starting your introduction with a famous quote, cliché, or reference to the essay itself (“While I sat down to write this essay…”).

While you can sometimes use dialogue or a meaningful quotation from a close family member or friend, make sure it encapsulates your essay’s overall theme.

Find an original, creative way of starting your essay using the following two methods.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

Begin your essay with an unexpected statement to pique the reader’s curiosity and compel them to carefully read your essay. A mysterious introduction disarms the reader’s expectations and introduces questions that can only be answered by reading more.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Illustrate a clear, detailed image to immediately transport your reader into your memory. You can start in the middle of an important scene or describe an object that conveys your essay’s theme.

A college application essay allows you to be creative in your style and tone. As you draft your essay, try to use interesting language to enliven your story and stand out .

Show, don’t tell

“Tell” in writing means to simply state a fact: “I am a basketball player.” “ Show ” in writing means to use details, examples, and vivid imagery to help the reader easily visualize your memory: “My heart races as I set up to shoot一two seconds, one second一and score a three-pointer!”

First, reflect on every detail of a specific image or scene to recall the most memorable aspects.

• What are the most prominent images?
• Are there any particular sounds, smells, or tastes associated with this memory?
• What emotion or physical feeling did you have at that time?

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

You don’t have to share a huge secret or traumatic story, but you should dig deep to express your honest feelings, thoughts, and experiences to evoke an emotional response. Showing vulnerability demonstrates humility and maturity. However, don’t exaggerate to gain sympathy.

Use appropriate style and tone

Make sure your essay has the right style and tone by following these guidelines:

• Use a conversational yet respectful tone: less formal than academic writing, but more formal than texting your friends.
• Prioritize using “I” statements to highlight your perspective.
• Write within your vocabulary range to maintain an authentic voice.
• Write concisely, and use the active voice to keep a fast pace.
• Follow grammar rules (unless you have valid stylistic reasons for breaking them).

You should end your college essay with a deep insight or creative ending to leave the reader with a strong final impression. Your college admissions essay should avoid the following:

• Summarizing what you already wrote
• Stating your hope of being accepted to the school
• Mentioning character traits that should have been illustrated in the essay, such as “I’m a hard worker”

Here are two strategies to craft a strong conclusion.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

The full circle, or sandwich, structure concludes the essay with an image, idea, or story mentioned in the introduction. This strategy gives the reader a strong sense of closure.

In the example below, the essay concludes by returning to the “museum” metaphor that the writer opened with.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

You can use the conclusion to show the insight you gained as a result of the experiences you’ve described. Revealing your main message at the end creates suspense and keeps the takeaway at the forefront of your reader’s mind.

Revise your essay before submitting it to check its content, style, and grammar. Get feedback from no more than two or three people.

It’s normal to go through several rounds of revision, but take breaks between each editing stage.

Also check out our college essay examples to see what does and doesn’t work in an essay and the kinds of changes you can make to improve yours.

Respect the word count

Most schools specify a word count for each essay , and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit.

Remain under the specified word count limit to show you can write concisely and follow directions. However, don’t write too little, which may imply that you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Check your content, style, and grammar

• First, check big-picture issues of message, flow, and clarity.
• Then, check for style and tone issues.
• Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Get feedback

Get feedback from 2–3 people who know you well, have good writing skills, and are familiar with college essays.

• Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your content, language, and tone.
• Friends and family can check for authenticity.
• An essay coach or editor has specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and can give objective expert feedback.

The checklist below helps you make sure your essay ticks all the boxes.

College admissions essay checklist

I’ve organized my essay prompts and created an essay writing schedule.

I’ve done a comprehensive brainstorm for essay topics.

I’ve selected a topic that’s meaningful to me and reveals something different from the rest of my application.

I’ve created an outline to guide my structure.

I’ve crafted an introduction containing vivid imagery or an intriguing hook that grabs the reader’s attention.

I’ve written my essay in a way that shows instead of telling.

I’ve shown positive traits and values in my essay.

I’ve demonstrated self-reflection and insight in my essay.

I’ve used appropriate style and tone .

I’ve concluded with an insight or a creative ending.

I’ve revised my essay , checking my overall message, flow, clarity, and grammar.

I’ve respected the word count , remaining within 10% of the upper word limit.

Congratulations!

It looks like your essay ticks all the boxes. A second pair of eyes can help you take it to the next level – Scribbr's essay coaches can help.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

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