📃 From Blank Page to Dream School: Start Your College Essay Journey Today

Okay, don’t panic. This isn’t meant to stress you out—it’s more of an open invitation: Start thinking about your college essays. Right now.

Not because there’s a deadline looming (well, not yet), but because whether you realize it or not… you’ve already started writing them.

Here’s the thing: college essays aren’t just about having a wild, once-in-a-lifetime story to tell. They’re about you—your experiences, your thoughts, your voice. Many students hit a wall because they think, “Nothing about me is special enough to write about.” Totally false.

It’s not that your life isn’t interesting; it’s that most people haven’t learned how to look at their everyday experiences in a way that shows meaning, growth, and impact. And that’s exactly what colleges want to see.

So when I say “start now,” I mean start paying attention. Start thinking about how the little moments in your life—your routines, your hobbies, your relationships, your struggles—could become the start of a powerful story.

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Or better yet: start living like you’re writing your story in real time. Ask yourself: What am I doing this weekend that reflects who I am? What am I passionate about? What am I learning about myself—whether through challenges, school, or just goofing off with friends?

Imagine your life as a book. You’re in the middle of a chapter right now. What kind of chapter do you want it to be? And what choices can you make to shape the next few pages?

You don’t have to be “exceptional” to write something great. You just have to be real.

Here’s an example: One of my students was totally stuck on the UC Personal Insight Questions. When we got to the one about talents and skills, I asked him, “What’s something you’re really good at?” His answer? Whistling.

But instead of shutting it down, we explored it. Why did he do it? How did people react? Turns out, his strange habit had this unexpected power: it made people laugh, eased tension, even helped him connect with others in awkward situations. His final essay? Funny, relatable, and genuinely moving.

That student didn’t wait for a life-changing event to write his essay. He looked at what was already in front of him. And found meaning in it.

You can, too.

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🎯 So here’s your mission:

• Start noticing the small stuff.

• Think about how your daily life could shape a bigger story.

• Start living in a way that reflects the kind of person you want to write about.

Need inspiration? Read some example essays. See how others have turned simple moments into powerful stories. And then, start brainstorming your own.

Your story is already happening. The sooner you start recognizing it, the better your essay will be.

And trust me: you’ve got something worth writing about.

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💡 Want help coming up with essay topics or ideas based on your life?

I’ve got your back. Just say the word!