Brainstorm: 21 Details
Make a list of 21 details from your life, interesting facts that describe some small, random part of who you are. Here are 11 of my 21 details: We moved 20 times while I was growing up and I attended 13 schools. My biggest pet…
Brainstorm: 5 Contradictions
Humans are complex, contradictory, creatures. Contradictions can add texture and complexity to your essay. Here are five contradictory things about me: I love beating my younger brother in chess, but afterwards I always feel guilty. In college I had no problem giving my girlfriend a…
Why I Love What I Do (in 500 words)
After years of helping students write the old UC1 prompt (my favorite college essay prompt), I decided it wouldn’t be a bad way to describe why I love what I do. Here’s that prompt: Describe the world you come from—for example, your family, community or…
Revising Your Essay in 5 Steps
So I figured something out recently. I was looking back at a couple of my favorite student essays and I realized that the structure of a couple of those essays is ridiculously sound. Rock solid. And not only is it rock solid, it’s teachable. Take…
How am I a Genius?
Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Visual-Spatial – think in terms of physical space, as do architects and sailors. Very aware of their environments. They like to draw, do jigsaw puzzles, read maps, daydream. They can be taught through drawings, verbal and physical imagery. Tools include models, graphics,…
Why I Keep a Gratitude List
I have a bookmark on my browser’s taskbar that says “gratitude.” It links to a Google doc with a list of things I’m thankful for. I don’t write in the doc every day and I try not to guilt myself for not doing so, but…
How I Learned to Overcome Procrastination (Mostly)
I’m still not perfect. Even though my default mode has shifted from “I’ll do it later” to “I’ll do it now,” I still sometimes procrastinate. When that happens, I tend to have a conversation with myself that sounds something like: Motivated self: I can’t believe…
How to Create the Simplest, Best To-Do List Ever
I love to-do lists and have tried many different kinds, but this is the very best one. Thanks, Selene Santiago, for teaching it to me! Here’s how it works: Separate your to-do list into these categories: Use an ACTION word at the start of each…
Twelve Ways to Get Inspired Right Now
WANT HELP with YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT? CHECK OUT MY COURSE BELOW. Tagged: ted, genius, brainstorm, inspired
Change Your Brain with Mindful Meditation
No, like, how does it actually work? Like, how do I do it?Here’s a basic mindfulness exercise: Sit up straight in your chair. Close your eyes. Pay attention to your breath. See if you can notice the beginning, middle and end of each breath. Do…