Don't Wallow this Summer: Write Your College Essay
- Genine Babakian
- Jul 1, 2020
- 2 min read
Dear Incoming High School Seniors,
If you are like many of your peers, your summer plans have been canceled. Those coveted internships dried up. Resume building jobs – gone, along with summer travel. And the pickings are slim for those who just want to earn money for college.
But there is one thing you can do that will put you ahead of the game this fall: write your college essay.
To those who have already begun, I salute you. But for the procrastinators out there (and I was one, I assure you), this is your chance to turn lemons into lemonade. The downtime you now face doesn’t have to be a source of boredom. Let it also be an opportunity.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get that polished college essay out of the way before senior year (in some capacity) resumes in the fall? Besides, the writing can be fun.
Fun? Writing a college essay? Well, I may be biased, but I can assure you it is not all drudgery. This is nothing like every other essay you’ve written in high school. It is a chance to shine and tell your story. And who doesn’t like storytelling?
For those who have not settled on a topic, the brainstorming is my favorite part – trying to tease out the story that shows who you are, in 650 words or less. Watch this space for brainstorming tips in the coming weeks.
Here’s some good news: The Common App, through which many of you will be applying to colleges, has incorporated an optional question related to COVID-19’s impact.
Why is this good news? Because it gives you the space to talk about how your life has been affected by the corona virus without dedicating your personal statement to it. It’s hard to tell a unique story about yourself within the context of a global pandemic that is affecting literally everybody. Unless you have a very unique angle, I would choose another topic for your essay.
For those who are eager to get started, allow me to refer you to these previous posts, which offer tips on everything from choosing your topic to breaking free from writer’s block.
This is not the summer you had planned or looked forward to. But you can still make something of it. Just write. Write for ten minutes a day and see what you have after a week. Before you know it, you’ll have the building blocks you need to tell your story.
For more information on one-on-one college essay coaching, email me at wwfinephrases@gmail.com, or check out https://www.finephrases.com/blog-1/categories/college-essays
Great insights on turning the college essay into a storytelling opportunity rather than a chore. Brainstorming really does help uncover authentic voice and direction. I also like the idea of using personal reflection, much like a medical memoir book, to shape meaningful narratives. Looking forward to your upcoming tips on finding strong essay topics and crafting compelling personal stories ahead.
This is excellent advice for students looking to make productive use of unexpected free time. Writing a college essay during the summer can reduce stress and strengthen applications. The process also encourages self-reflection, much like books about loss and grief help readers explore emotions and personal growth. Turning challenges into opportunities is a valuable lesson for both academics and life.
I truly appreciate your advice on getting a head start on college essays during the summer months. It is so easy for students to procrastinate, but taking the time to find your unique voice without the pressure of fall classes is a game changer for any applicant. The emphasis on being authentic in your writing is perhaps the most important tip because admissions officers really want to see the real person behind the grades. This dedication to authenticity and high standards is something that translates to all aspects of a successful life. Whether it is crafting a perfect narrative for an essay or choosing a wardrobe that reflects your character, quality always matters. I recently saw how LVH Leather embodies…
The point about using summer as a productive time to start or refine a college essay really stood out, especially how the article encourages turning what feels like downtime into something purposeful instead of procrastinating. It’s interesting how much pressure students put on getting the “perfect” essay in one go, when in reality it often takes several drafts and reflection. I found myself wondering how many students actually start early versus waiting until deadlines get close. It also made me think about how structure and guidance can really help with big tasks like this, whether in writing or studies more broadly, where some might even look for Best Assignment Helper Leicester when trying to stay organised and focused.
Loved this post! It really hits home how easy it is to spend summer procrastinating instead of using the time to get ahead. Writing a college essay (or tackling any big project) feels less intimidating when you start early and break it into small goals. I’m currently diving into my own academic planning and brainstorming some Finance Dissertation Ideas, and this post reminded me that progress is all about consistency, not perfection. The idea of turning downtime into productive time really resonated with me, especially because it’s about creating opportunities rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. Thanks for the motivation to make this summer count — it’s the perfect reminder that future success depends on what we choose to…