<p>I'm having a terrible time. I don't know what to write. I'm actually at the point of tears.</p>
<p>I've come to the harsh realization I actually have nothing to wake up for in the morning.
I hate myself and my surroundings. The only reason I want to go to college is to escape my surroundings and hate myself somewhere that's not my house.</p>
<p>I was at this point not too long ago :( It's really easy to remain in a pit of despair but if you start the brainstorming and writing process, you might haul yourself out of there. If you believe that no one has influenced you significantly, write about that. Along the lines of how you've had to "influence" yourself, perhaps. Maybe you've found influence in where people least expect it. You could make it unconventional, which would catch a reader's attention. Be careful with the tone of the piece. Make it more about you have learned, grown, etc. Not how you have remained in the same place from where you started. </p>
<p>Addition from R: If that fails, then think about a "dream person" and make up ways about how you wish they could have influenced you.</p>
<p>I mean, what's in an influence? Influenced me how, I think is where I'm having problems.</p>
<p>Well, if say a certain individual has admirable qualities. Like being the first to take action, having compassion, putting others before themselves, etc. Say you have been impacted greatly by this and have "adopted" these qualities and keep them in mind in your daily life. And stress how you have changed under this person's influence. I think you can define influence in any way as long as you essay backs it up well. Maybe you define it differently than a dictionary. If so, explain why. The question is pretty much asking what person has affected you, has changed your life (perhaps?), etc. Other questions to consider when writing your paper would be: How have I changed, Where did I begin, Where will this take me? How will I remember this person, etc. Try to be descriptive in your essay. But be careful. Try to make sure the focus is more on yourself. I know they are asking you to write about another person's impact on you but all the same, mostly they want to learn about you as a person, outside of your grades.</p>