Why Does College Essay Writing Feel So Hard?
Writing a great college admissions essay can feel really hard. And that’s because it is hard! Just about everyone sometimes finds it challenging to describe meaningful experiences and aspects of their identity in a succinct and compelling way. Add to this the pressure and stress surrounding how to get into a good college, and you have a recipe for anxiety and overwhelm. So if you’re sitting down to start drafting a college application essay and staring at a blank screen, here are our best tips on getting past this super common nervous writers' block.
Replace “what do they want me to say?” with “what is true for me?”
It’s easy to read a college essay prompt and immediately try to guess what the reader is looking for. We don’t want to dismiss this impulse entirely. Of course you want to ask yourself what the question is getting at so that you can tailor your answer to respond. But don’t fall into the easy trap of thinking that there is a “right” way to do this or a single way you should present yourself. If you go down that path, the best you’ll manage is to write an essay that sounds like everyone else’s.
Instead, we want you to give the prompt the benefit of the doubt. Readers really do want to hear what is true for you, and not some carbon copy of a thousand college essays they’ve read before. Writing a strong college essay is not an exercise in changing something about who you are and what you’ve experienced in your life. Instead, it’s a chance to say something about your experience that is authentic for you, right now.
Remember that everyone has something unique to share
There is no such thing as someone who can’t write a great college essay. You may find yourself thinking of a classmate who somehow seems to have it in the bag: they’ve done a million extracurriculars, have a great GPA and SAT score, seem to always come in first at everything they do, and somehow stand out in doing it. In fact, they might write the most boring college essay ever.
Everyone has a unique and compelling story to share about an experience they’ve had, a lesson they’ve learned, or something they care about. In order to figure out what this is for you, the first and most critical step is to dispense with the fear that somehow you don't. You can write a great college essay about a cat, your favorite cheese, your grandmother, your weird toe problem, winning, losing, failing, and anything in between. Confidence is every bit as important as skill and subject matter when it comes to writing a compelling college application essay.
Find external support
Even as an experienced college essay tutor, when it comes to my own writing, there are times when it is hard to feel confidence and find a sense of direction without the advice of a trusted advisor. Whether it’s a friend, teacher, family member, or a college essay tutor, you can and should have support in reflecting on your unique experiences and how to talk about them.
Writing college essays well requires a lot of vulnerability. This can’t be faked, which is why intelligence and writing skill alone are not the recipe for success. If you feel stuck, reach out to someone experienced who you can trust.