<p>there are only so many ways to be original! So many possibilities…and I feel that as I continue staring, the clock continues ticking, and meanwhile others are sending in their apps, and i’m STILL staring.</p>
<p>when others are being notified of admissions results, i’ll still be staring!</p>
<p>Anyone feel me?</p>
<p>It’s so difficult …because personally, my essay is the most important constituent of my app.</p>
<p>Um. You are most definitely not alone.</p>
<p>Schoolwork, extracurriculars, life...everything seems to be piling up as an obstacle set in front of essay-writing. I'm a procrastinator who works "best" under pressure, too -- which makes it worse. And when I do have time, I just can't get started. And the computer screen mocks me. Meh.</p>
<p>I'm determined to write at least a draft this upcoming weekend though, since I have Labor Day off. </p>
<p>Good luck to you. ;)</p>
<p>ack, it is so hard. You're not alone! I've been trying to think of topics all summer and everything seems too forced or too stupid. I am STUMPED!</p>
<p>Definitely feeling your pain. I just can't write. School is coming up soon.., work is just piling up, kill me now please.</p>
<p>What can help for writer's block is to brainstorm. Sit down and write down ideas. Don't try to evaluate them or to come up with what is "best" -- write down everything you can think of. </p>
<p>Then let the list sit there for a few days. You may find other ideas popping into your head unbidden, or ideas that could be included in the possibilities you have already written down.</p>
<p>My daughter had the "staring at the computer" experience as well. But a few weeks of jotting down ideas, notes for assorted possibilities, etc. got her beyond the block.</p>
<p>I think people can freeze up if they are trying to come up with the "best," particularly in a high-pressure situation.</p>
<p>Of course, an approaching deadline can also concentrate the mind!</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone</p>
<p>i guess the brainstorming suggestion is actually working for me. I basically spent 2 hours yesterday typing whatever pieces of ideas that came to my mind. and somehow, i was ultimately able to formulate a paragraph from just ONE of the many words i wrote down.</p>
<p>i don't know. timing is important for me as well. sometimes, i'm in the mood to write, i'm inspired to write...i have to be in the right environment and everything. bleh.</p>
<p>if the essay you cant write is one on why you want to go to brown, that is a big problem.</p>
<p>Just think about what you like most and turn it into an essay.</p>
<p>why WOULD somebody want to go to brown?</p>
<p>I suppose I'm lucky because I wrote a personal statement in junior year.. a required assignment in my Honor's English class, and my teacher really liked it. So I'm going to have my AP English teacher and someone else read it over for feedback, but I''ll probably end up using it for Brown and several other schools.</p>
<p>I can sympathize with the writer's block though. Right now I'm supposed to be writing a thoughtful reaction to a section of Beowulf. My usual medicine is Mountain Dew, haha. Bottled inspiration. </p>
<p>Caffeine just always helps me past a writer's block for some reason.</p>
<p>Why would anyone want to go to Brown?</p>
<p>In order:</p>
<p>The kids.</p>
<p>Emphasis on undergrad education.</p>
<p>open curriculum and the attendant side effects</p>
<p>size - opportunites of a large research institution with the closeness of a small LAC, science majors required to do undergraqduate research (semi-required to get into many grad schools)</p>
<p>The advising.</p>
<p>Ruth Simmons</p>
<p>Urban campus but not too urban</p>
<p>sounds like a school for me :D LOL</p>