Ready to Write Your College Essay Using These 10 Tips?
The personal statement essay is an important part of your college application. It’s a chance to showcase not just your academic achievements, but also your unique personality, experiences, and goals that drive you to apply to college. However, many students struggle when it’s time to sit down and write. Many have never written about themselves in this format before, and even fewer know how to present their personality and experiences in their essays. If you find yourself struggling to put pen to paper, Marks Education is here to provide effective writing strategies for college essays to help you learn how to overcome writer’s block in college essay writing.
Understanding Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is an unbearably common affliction among students, writers, and professionals and can be particularly frustrating when you’re faced with the pressure of writing your college application essay, especially if you’re on a deadline! Stressing yourself out about it is only going to make things worse. Take a deep breath and read through these tips to give your brain that spark it needs.
1. Embrace the Prewriting Stage
Writer’s block often happens when you sit down to write without a plan or any structure. To counter this, try to embrace the prewriting stage. Start with brainstorming exercises like mind mapping or freewriting to jot down ideas, memories, and experiences relevant to your essay topic. This helps give you new ideas and approaches to your essay.
Consider carrying around a small notebook with you for the day, or a note on your phone, and gather all the ideas that cross your mind throughout the day. You’ll be surprised at what you learn!
2. Set Realistic Goals
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your college essay shouldn’t be written in a day. Rather than overwhelming yourself with the demand of completing your essay in one sitting, break the task into smaller, manageable goals. Set aside specific blocks of time dedicated solely to writing – it doesn’t have to be long! You’ll be surprised how far 10 minutes a day will take you when you establish achievable word count targets for each writing session. And make sure to celebrate your progress along the way!
3. Choose the Right Environment
Creating a conducive writing environment can significantly impact your productivity. Find a quiet, comfortable space, free from distractions, where you can focus on your writing. Experiment with different locations and setups to discover what works best for you but remember to always use that space for writing. After you’ve gotten in the routine, you’ll find that your mind automatically gets in the mood for writing once in your assigned writing spot.
4. Start with the Body, Not the Introduction
This is some of the best professional advice for how to write your college essay that we can give you. The introduction of an essay can be the most challenging part to write. You feel like you need a showstopper or something big to pique your reader’s interest, but trying to come up with this grand start can stall your essay. Rather than getting bogged down by it initially, start with the body of your essay. This helps with the flow of your essay, and it can be easier to start an essay when you have an idea of where it goes.
Write about the experiences, anecdotes, or ideas you’re most passionate about. Once you’ve laid down the core content, it will be easier to write an introduction that draws the reader in.
5. Write Now, Edit Later
Perfectionism is the enemy of productivity. Allow yourself to write “poorly” during your initial drafts. The goal is to get your ideas down on paper without worrying about grammar, style, or eloquence. You can always revise and polish your work later. Spend your initial energy exploring different parts of yourself. The brainstorming stage is a great place to think about any special experiences you’ve had in your extracurricular activities, meaningful moments at home, or times you’ve learned a lesson.
6. Seek Inspiration
Read essays or articles that inspire you. Analyze what captivates you about them, whether it’s the storytelling, the use of language, or the structure. Drawing inspiration from others can also help jumpstart creativity. Ask a friend, a parent, or a teacher what comes to mind first when they think of you. This can be a great place to start as it gives you a sense of how others view you, but there are so many ways to find inspiration. Check out our blog for more ideas!
7. Take Breaks and Exercise
Sitting for extended periods can lead to mental stagnation. Make sure that you’re incorporating short breaks into your day to clear your mind. Physical exercise, even a brief walk, can rejuvenate your creative juices and provide fresh perspectives. Sometimes the best ideas come from time spent on a walk, out with friends, or on the field. Don’t just stick to traditional methods of inspiration, get out there and see what ideas the world brings you!
8. Discuss Your Ideas
Take part in conversations with friends, family, or teachers about your essay topic. They might see you in a totally different way that helps change your perspective on essay writing. This could mean asking what traits they associate with you, asking them to tell a story about you that sticks out strongly in their mind, or just talking! Having the chance to say your thoughts aloud can also help clarify your ideas and receive valuable feedback and suggestions.
9. Revise and Refine
Remember that writing is a process, and your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. After finishing your essay, step away from it for a while before revising. It’s tempting to jump in and start editing right away, but it’s better to come to this step with fresh eyes. Whether that means stepping away for a few hours or a few days, when you return, you’ll have a more objective view and can identify areas for improvement.
10. Seek Feedback
Don’t hesitate to share your essay with trusted individuals, such as teachers, mentors, or peers. Their feedback can offer valuable insights and help you fine tune your work. Remember not to allow too many cooks in the kitchen. Your essay should still reflect your original vision but should be enhanced by the insights of those close to you.
Conclusion
Writer’s block is a hurdle that every writer encounters at some point. However, with patience, perseverance, and the right strategies, you can overcome it and write your college essay and truly reflect your unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations.
Still having trouble writing an essay that satisfies you even after reading these writing strategies for college essays? Contact Marks Education for a free consultation and learn how our essay services might be just what you need to write your college essay!
