Today, I want to share some thoughts with parents and students about essay writing. By the end of this article, you’ll gain valuable insights into crafting compelling essays and learn how to avoid common mistakes.

When it comes to writing essays for college applications, many students find themselves uncertain about how to begin. Universities use these essays to gain a deeper understanding of the applicant’s personality. They look for traits such as:

• Resilience: The capacity to recover from challenges.
• Grit: Perseverance and strong determination.
• Negotiation Skills: The ability to connect and collaborate effectively.
• Leadership: Inspiring and guiding others.
• Assistance: Being a supportive and cooperative team member.

Through these essays, colleges aim to uncover the character of the applicant. However, a common mistake students make is trying to sum themselves up with a single word. This often leads to repetitive keywords, with many applicants relying on similar descriptions. Imagine thousands of students choosing the same terms—it’s no surprise that these essays start to blend together.

So, what are universities truly looking for? They want to understand how these qualities were developed and how well the student can articulate their experiences. This raises an important question: how can you achieve this?

Let me explain using the phrase, “The past can change.” Effective essays include three key components:

1. Past - Events/Accomplishments: Reflect on meaningful experiences or achievements.
2. Present - Cognition/Attribution: Assess your current understanding of those experiences.
3. Future - Impact on Your Life: Contemplate how these experiences will shape your future.

The secret lies in linking your past to your present. Keep in mind that our perception of the past can evolve based on how we interpret it in the present.

Some students have a clear memory of past events and emotions, which makes them easier to write about. Others, however, struggle to recall or articulate their experiences. To write a standout essay, it’s essential to be deeply self-aware. While some students excel at describing their past, others may unintentionally blur the lines between past experiences and current thoughts.

Avoid shallow descriptions of past events. If you’re not careful, your essay could fall into overused themes such as overcoming study-abroad challenges, resolving family conflicts, navigating friendships, or excelling in sports, music, or art. These narratives, while personal, risk sounding generic and fail to stand out.

The solution? Don’t rush your essay preparation. Dedicate around a year to developing your ability to define and articulate your unique self. This investment will allow you to craft an essay that truly reflects your individuality and character.

Refining Self-Definition: A Step-by-Step Approach

Now, let’s explore how to clearly define your present self. Picture calculating the volume of an object with curved surfaces. To determine the volume, you need to take cross-sectional slices, analyze them, and integrate the results. In three-dimensional space, volume is derived from two-dimensional cross-sections.

Similarly, our thoughts and experiences extend beyond the three-dimensional physical world. Writing about them is like projecting these multidimensional aspects onto a two-dimensional surface—your essay.

Writing helps organize your thoughts and provide clarity about your experiences. As you articulate your current self, you engage in introspection and deepen your understanding of who you are.

To sharpen your self-definition, start practicing writing about your present self. Even a single sentence can make a difference!

Document the smallest details of your experiences and emotions. Our brains have a mechanism called the amygdala, which filters changes to maintain emotional stability. Even positive changes can trigger a perceived risk response, causing resistance to new behaviors.

For example, if a student attempts to write an entire page every day, the amygdala might interpret this as risky and release stress-related substances to inhibit the process. To counter this, begin with small steps—write just one sentence daily to avoid triggering resistance.

In a calm, focused state, write about your past experiences without distorting them. As the famous quote from the movie Kung Fu Panda reminds us: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.”

By consistently writing even a single meaningful sentence, you can gradually reshape your understanding of both your past and your future.

While this article could have been summarized as “Write effective essays,” I chose to provide diverse examples—from mathematical concepts of volume to the amygdala and even Kung Fu Panda. These examples cater to different learning styles and enhance understanding.

At A-One Institute, we are committed to sharing knowledge effectively and helping students develop their unique voices. The examples mentioned here demonstrate our dedication to this goal. For more resources, explore the A-One Institute YouTube channel or contact us with any questions. Thank you!