Most students I work with don't REALLY trust that they have what it takes to write great college essays. But I have never met a student who doesn't have what it takes. I have met students who don't want to do what it takes. But you won't be that student. Because you're here. And you read more than four sentences. What it takes: BREATHING My first tip is: mindful breathing. Actually, that's my only tip. Many students don't trust that tip. Is that all I have to do? No- it's the first thing you have to do. And anyone can do it, because I have a video to guide you, and you have 1 minute. Even if it's 1 minute in the bathroom. I love meditations that almost anyone can do, in a very short period of time, to regulate themselves. Our days are hectic. Though the benefits of meditation increase with hours logged (I think this is true of everything) this 1-minute exercise can be a state-changer (for students and adults). I suggest trying it out before writing or researching college. If you love it, repeat it! If you really love it, tell your parent/s. Youtube: 1 minute breathing meditation, with silent visual guidance. AND! If any part of the college essay writing process spikes your pressures, return here. :) Breathing will be part of your strategy! You'll stand out. :) What it takes: REALISM AND POSITIVITY Your “strategy” should also entail two pillars: realism and positivity. You’ll be well served as a family by intentionally adopting a realistic approach (the cost of college can be…brutal for most? fit is more important thank ranking) and a positive mindset (you want to live a full-on life, in every sense, at whatever college you choose to attend-right?). Add these together So as you breathe in and out, you could try the following affirmations. I don't argue with reality; I have a positive view of my future. Breathing in: I don't argue with reality, I face it. Breathing out: I have a positive view of my future. If those Continue Reading …
getting started writing
You don’t have nothing to write about in your college essay
The most common (untrue) thing I hear from teens beginning their college essay process is that they have nothing to write about. Nothing to say. Girl, that's a high aim! Monks train for years to attain that state of reverential silence. But most of us non-monk-types? We don't have nothing to write about. We just don't know how to bring it out, how to give it form and structure suited to the task. 30 seconds of "nothing" Take a minute (literally) and pause that belief, and watch your thoughts instead. Can you hear the non-silence? Can you hear the plenty? Most of us would ultimately agree: our mind never really stops talking to us. It repeats itself a lot too, in case we missed it the first time. Or the second. Just try to have complete quiet and stillness inside for 30 seconds and see how many life stories show up. Then follow where they lead as they slip over the horizon of your focus. And, of course, be their scribe! You work for them. :) And if you still (mistakenly) think you have nothing to write about, be a true committed spectator to that state. Watch your nerves fire and charge like Pac Man traveling around the twisting mysterious corners of your perplexing consciousness. It will eat those ellipses right up! Quick Exercise against "nothing" to write about For me, a great writing exercise to begins with listing brands. Yes, product brands. Start with your childhood. Make a quick list of brands in your household. (do it along with me!) Mine would look like this: -Ajax dish soap, St. Ives Scrub, Vaseline, Choc full o' nuts coffee, Jason's Jojoba Conditioner, Teddygrams And then I would build out more active memories from there, expanding each brand name into 1-2 sentences: My dad making his coffee at 4AM, smelling it when I couldn't sleep. The bowl of teddy grams next to my homework, which I did every day at the same spot at my parents creaking table. My mom's vaseline self-treatment for dry-skin, which soaked her feet while she Continue Reading …