<p>I am having a writer's block with college essays. My mom has been pushing me to write an extraordinary essay. It's not like I haven't been trying, but my essays (supposedly) wasn't as impressive. I don't know what to write about. I have been researching other people's college essays, but it doesn't give me any idea on what to write. I have thought about writing about my grandmother, but it would've been a depressing topic. I heard colleges don't like to read topics that are gloomy and dark. I'm in a big dilemma. I don't know what to do. HELP!?</p>
<p>This is coming from a high school senior, but I believe that it will help. There is one technique that I used which I found very helpful. Maybe it works for you, maybe it doesn’t. The key is to not force the box in the circle’s whole. </p>
<ol>
<li>From 9th - 12th grade, think back to the top three most memorable experiences you have had. Good, bad or ugly. Then list two things you learned from each of these experiences in a sub-heading. If anything seems to resonate with you, write down a few bullet points, then tackle the essay.</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks! That advice does help.
If anyone has more, post it. The more, the better(:</p>
<p>Gloomy and dark is okay, as long as you have a purpose and you can bring your reader to tears. Just remember that the administrators read about 10 to 20 essay a day. If your essay can’t capture them in the first 3 minutes (and most gloom and dark ones can’t), you are better off writing something less heavy. </p>
<p>As an adult, we see and experience failures, pain and even death quite a bit more than teenagers. So, we tend not to be easily moved. If your essay can’t make me feel the same pain, you won’t get my attention. </p>
<p>With that said, I once read an essay from a foreign student detailing her brother’s death (from a landmine). She started with something like, “I refused to let go of his arm, but my mom told me that we need my brother’s arm for the burial.” I was in tears after 2 minutes. Hey, I was a 40 years old man with very little compassion…</p>