How Do You Start? Write From The Heart.

During his senior year, my son’s inbox was flooded with emails from universities filled with advice. One stood out. It read: If you boil your future down to answering three questions, it should be these: What are you good at? What brings you joy? What is the world asking you to be?

As his mother, I was both impressed and terrified. These were big questions. Was he ready to answer these? 

The answer was “yes.” He was. And, your senior is ready too! 

These three questions are great ones to ask as your senior begins the journey of writing their college application essays: the heart of their unique story to tell and an essential part of their becoming adults in the world. 

#1: What are you good at? 

Your senior should reflect and consider their strengths and core values. Create a list of these: a bounty of unique descriptors, engaging moments, and positive experiences.  

#2: What brings you joy? 

This is the fun part! Your senior should celebrate the people, places, and adventures that have been pivotal to their life experience.   

#3: What is the world asking you to be? 

What are the “yes” moments? These “yeses” are where they have moved forward or have turned their paths in different directions: challenging circumstances where they persevered, jobs and leadership opportunities where they were asked to step forward, or unexpected changes where they chose to say “yes” instead of “no.” 

At the end of the day, your senior must answer these questions and then start writing from the heart. Get a journal and begin with just a few words. Then, add more! Be open. Be vulnerable. Be honest. Starting this process early allows your senior enough time to reflect and demonstrate that reflection and growth in their writing. Beyond grades and numbers, colleges want to get to know the person beyond the stats. Their essays are where they demonstrate that humanity. 

In August, I packed up two college-bound cars with storage bags, lamps, blue rugs, and mini fridges. Both were traveling the same path down I-40, but the essays that got them there were uniquely their own. For high school seniors, it can be stressful preparing to write their college application essays. But, they have been preparing for them their entire lives. It is in them! It is their voice and their story to share. They are ready!