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How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples

Published on September 21, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability. Your essay shouldn’t just be a resume of your experiences; colleges are looking for a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

To write about your achievements and qualities without sounding arrogant, use specific stories to illustrate them. You can also write about challenges you’ve faced or mistakes you’ve made to show vulnerability and personal growth.

Table of contents

Start with self-reflection, how to write about challenges and mistakes, how to write about your achievements and qualities, how to write about a cliché experience, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Before you start writing, spend some time reflecting to identify your values and qualities. You should do a comprehensive brainstorming session, but here are a few questions to get you started:

• What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
• Whom do you admire most and why?
• What are the top five things you are thankful for?
• What has inspired your hobbies or future goals?
• What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

As you self-reflect, consider how your values and goals reflect your prospective university’s program and culture, and brainstorm stories that demonstrate the fit between the two.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Writing about difficult experiences can be an effective way to show authenticity and create an emotional connection to the reader, but choose carefully which details to share, and aim to demonstrate how the experience helped you learn and grow.

Be vulnerable

It’s not necessary to have a tragic story or a huge confession. But you should openly share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Even a cliché or mundane topic can be made interesting with honest reflection. This honesty is a preface to self-reflection and insight in the essay’s conclusion.

Don’t overshare

With difficult topics, you shouldn’t focus too much on negative aspects. Instead, use your challenging circumstances as a brief introduction to how you responded positively.

Share what you have learned

It’s okay to include your failure or mistakes in your essay if you include a lesson learned. After telling a descriptive, honest story, you should explain what you learned and how you applied it to your life.

While it’s good to sell your strengths, you also don’t want to come across as arrogant. Instead of just stating your extracurricular activities, achievements, or personal qualities, aim to discreetly incorporate them into your story.

Brag indirectly

Mention your extracurricular activities or awards in passing, not outright, to avoid sounding like you’re bragging from a resume.

Use stories to prove your qualities

Even if you don’t have any impressive academic achievements or extracurriculars, you can still demonstrate your academic or personal character. But you should use personal examples to provide proof. In other words, show evidence of your character instead of just telling.

Many high school students write about common topics such as sports, volunteer work, or their family. Your essay topic doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but do try to include unexpected personal details and your authentic voice to make your essay stand out .

To find an original angle, try these techniques:

• Focus on a specific moment, and describe the scene using your five senses.
• Mention objects that have special significance to you.
• Instead of following a common story arc, include a surprising twist or insight.

Your unique voice can shed new perspective on a common human experience while also revealing your personality. When read out loud, the essay should sound like you are talking.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

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Courault, K. (2023, May 31). How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 13, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/write-about-yourself/

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My Goals In Life As a student Essay In 200 Words

Read this 200 words essay on topic my goals in life as a students essay for students and children.

My Personal Goals In Life as a Student Essay (200 words)

1.Introduction Paragraph

As a student, it is important to set goals for your future. Goals help you stay focused and motivated to achieve what you desire. In this essay, I will describe my goals in life as a student.

2. Body Paragraphs

One of my primary goals is to excel academically. I want to maintain good grades and study hard to achieve my educational objectives. I believe this will help me acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in my future endeavors.

Another goal I have is to be actively involved in extracurricular activities. I believe participating in sports, clubs, or volunteer work will help me develop essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. It will also provide opportunities to meet new people and have fun outside of the classroom.

Furthermore, I hope to gain valuable experiences by pursuing internships or job shadowing opportunities related to my interests. This will allow me to explore potential career paths, acquire hands-on experience, and network with professionals in the field.

In addition, I aspire to give back to the community by volunteering and helping those in need. By doing so, I hope to make a positive impact and develop empathy and compassion for others.

3. Conclusion

In conclusion, my goals as a student are to excel academically, be actively involved in extracurricular activities, gain valuable experiences through internships, and give back to the community through volunteering. I believe achieving these goals will help me become a well-rounded individual and prepare me for a successful future.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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Essay Samples on Goals

My academic goals: nurturing dreams, pursuing excellenc.

Academic pursuits form the foundation of knowledge, growth, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. In this essay, I open the doors to my aspirations, offering a heartfelt exploration of my academic goals. Through a combination of focused objectives, unwavering dedication, and a thirst for...

• Education Goals

What Are Your Academic Goals: Charting a Course for Excellence

The realm of education is a canvas of possibilities, a space where aspirations, knowledge, and growth intertwine. In this essay, I provide an intimate insight into my academic goals, offering a glimpse into the dreams that fuel my educational journey. Through a combination of focused...

Professional Goals for Graduate School

Graduate school represents a pivotal juncture in one's academic and professional journey, offering a platform to refine skills, acquire specialized knowledge, and embark on a trajectory of achievement. In this essay, we delve into the realm of professional goals for graduate school, exploring how these...

My Goals in Life as a College Student

The college journey is an exciting chapter in life that holds immense potential for personal growth, academic excellence, and shaping future trajectories. In this essay, I delve into the aspirations and ambitions that define my goals in life as a college student, highlighting how these...

Educational Goals: Charting the Path to Personal and Academic Excellence

Setting clear and achievable educational goals is an essential foundation for personal growth and academic success. In this essay, we delve into the significance of educational goals, particularly in the context of college, where they serve as a roadmap for academic achievement, personal development, and...

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What Are Your Goals: A Glimpse into My Aspirations

The journey of life is marked by dreams, ambitions, and the pursuit of personal growth. In this essay, I offer a candid glimpse into my aspirations, answering the question, “What are your goals?” By delving into my educational, professional, and personal dimensions, I share the...

Explaining Why Dreams and Goals Are Valuable

Human existence is marked by an innate yearning for progress, fulfillment, and purpose. At the core of this drive lies the pursuit of dreams and goals, powerful constructs that transcend cultures, backgrounds, and ages. In this essay, we delve into the profound value of dreams...

For or Against Setting Long-Term Goals to Land a Dream Job

The pursuit of a dream job is a journey that ignites aspirations, ambitions, and the desire for professional fulfillment. At the heart of this endeavor lies a critical decision: should one set long-term goals to navigate the path towards their dream job? This debate has...

• Dream Career

SMART Goals: A Blueprint for Achieving Success

In the pursuit of success, setting goals is a cornerstone of personal and professional development. However, not all goals are created equal. Enter SMART goals: a structured and strategic approach to goal-setting that enhances the likelihood of achievement. In this essay, we delve into the...

Personal Health Goals: A Journey Towards Optimal Well-Being

The quest for well-being is an enduring journey that we embark upon with the intention of leading healthier and more fulfilling lives. In this essay, we delve into the realm of personal health goals, exploring how these aspirations empower individuals to take charge of their...

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How Will Our Understanding of Who We Are Shape the Goals We Develop for Ourselves

The journey of self-discovery is a profound exploration that transcends the boundaries of time and circumstance. In this essay, we delve into the intricate interplay between our understanding of who we are and the goals we develop for ourselves. By examining the ways in which...

Goals of Social Work: Empowering Communities and Fostering Change

Social work is a profession deeply rooted in the principles of compassion, empathy, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. In this essay, we explore the profound goals of social work, examining how social workers dedicate their efforts to empower individuals, families, and communities, and create lasting...

• Social Work

Goals and Aspirations: Pioneering the Path to Personal Fulfillment

Human existence is fueled by the pursuit of dreams and ambitions, encapsulated within the realm of goals and aspirations. In this essay, we delve into the profound significance of setting goals and nurturing aspirations, uncovering the essence of how they shape our lives, drive our...

My Personal Financial Goals in Life: Financial Freedom

As I embark on the journey of life, I recognize the profound impact that my personal financial goals will have on shaping my future. In this essay, I delve into the aspirations and plans that define my financial path, highlighting the importance of setting clear...

• Personal Finance

Why Do You Want to Achieve Your Goals

Setting and pursuing goals is an inherent aspect of human nature, driven by our desires, aspirations, and ambitions. In this essay, we delve into the profound question of why do you want to achieve your goals, exploring the underlying motivations that fuel our determination to...

Insights about Achieving Goals in Life

Setting and striving to achieve goals in life is a fundamental aspect of personal growth and fulfillment. It allows individuals to envision their desired future, create a roadmap to success, and work diligently to turn aspirations into reality. The journey of achieving goals in life...

How Will College Help Me Achieve My Goals

Entering college is not just a stepping stone to higher education; it's a transformative experience that can significantly shape and propel one's future. In this essay, I will delve into how college will help me achieve my goals by providing a platform for academic growth,...

How I Plan to Achieve My Goals: A Strategic Approach

Embarking on the journey of realizing our dreams requires more than just aspirations; it demands a clear and strategic plan. In this essay, I will outline how I plan to achieve my goals, highlighting the steps, strategies, and mindset that will guide me towards success....

Best Way to Achieve Goals: Strategies for Success

Setting and pursuing meaningful goals is an essential part of personal and professional growth. To truly realize our aspirations, it's crucial to understand and employ the best ways to achieve goals. By embracing effective strategies, we can navigate the path towards success with confidence and...

Examining How Goal Setting is Important for Success

Goal setting is a fundamental practice that plays a pivotal role in achieving personal and professional success. By setting clear and achievable goals, individuals can channel their efforts, track their progress, and maintain focus on their aspirations. In this essay, we will explore how goal...

Pursuing My Passion: A Journey towards a Career in Data Science and Technologies

Since, my childhood, I clearly remember that I have had incredible enthusiasm for the field of mathematics and science. I have found the study of data science and technologies is something that I cherished the most because this major is the blend of two of...

• Career Goals
• Personal Experience

Building a Path to Success: My Journey as an Exercise Physiologist

Presently I am taken on right course which give me some specific abilities which causes me to turn into an activity physiologist.  After completion of my studies, I am skilled to get a stable line of work. As a physiologist, I am ready to keep...

Personal Goal Analysis and Character Traits Consideration

My goal is to earn my Bachelor's degree in Radiography in 3 years. In this paper I will analyse how I can achieve it and also I will reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. To achieve my three years of learning, firstly, I will create...

• Academic Interests

Setting the Right Kind of Goals Without Social Expectations

In the beginning, my motivation and drive to do well in school came mostly from my parents. They were always pushing me to work hard in school so that I could have more options later in life. In the beginning, this was all I focused...

Focus and Main Styles of Distractions: Sensory and Emotional

There area unit 2 main styles of distractions: sensory and emotional. Sensory distractions can be as simple as sounds, shapes, colors, tastes, smells, and other sensations. But on the other hand, the biggest challenge for even the most focused ones, are the emotional distractions. It...

Best topics on Goals

1. My Academic Goals: Nurturing Dreams, Pursuing Excellenc

2. What Are Your Academic Goals: Charting a Course for Excellence

3. Professional Goals for Graduate School

4. My Goals in Life as a College Student

5. Educational Goals: Charting the Path to Personal and Academic Excellence

6. What Are Your Goals: A Glimpse into My Aspirations

7. Explaining Why Dreams and Goals Are Valuable

8. For or Against Setting Long-Term Goals to Land a Dream Job

9. SMART Goals: A Blueprint for Achieving Success

10. Personal Health Goals: A Journey Towards Optimal Well-Being

11. How Will Our Understanding of Who We Are Shape the Goals We Develop for Ourselves

12. Goals of Social Work: Empowering Communities and Fostering Change

13. Goals and Aspirations: Pioneering the Path to Personal Fulfillment

14. My Personal Financial Goals in Life: Financial Freedom

15. Why Do You Want to Achieve Your Goals

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Student Essays

6 Essays on Goals of My Life- Value & Importance of Having Goal in Life

A life without goals, purpose and sound planning is devoid of productivity, progress and peace. Thereby, a goal in life is extremely important to have. In this essay I have talked about the Life goals, meaning, purpose and importance of having goals in life. Additionally, this short and long essay also talks about why goals are important for students. This essay is helpful for children and students in their school exams.

Essay on Goal of My Life | My Academic, Professional & Family Life Goals

Having a Goal in Life is very important. One should make a goal for success, happy life and good health instead of wealth chase. A life without goals is like sailing in the ocean without destination. Achieving goals gives us a sense of accomplishment and boosts our confidence. It also helps us stay motivated and focused on what we want to achieve.

My Goal: Career Success

I always wanted to be successful in my career. I wanted to achieve something big and make a mark in this world. I was never interested in chasing wealth or material possessions. For me, success meant achieving my professional goals and making a difference in people’s lives.

>>>> Read Also : ” Essay on My Idea of Happy Life “

I worked hard and pursued my dreams with determination. I took every opportunity that came my way and worked towards my goals. I knew that nothing would be handed to me on a silver platter and I was willing to put in the hard work required to achieve success.

Today, I am proud to say that I have achieved my goal of career success. I am working in a job that I love and making a difference in people’s lives. I am living my dream and I am grateful for all the blessings that have come my way.

My Goal: Happy time with Friend and Family

My other goal in life was to have happy times with my friends and family. I wanted to be able to spend quality time with them and enjoy their company. I knew that money and material possessions cannot buy happiness, but good relationships can.

I made it a point to spend time with my loved ones whenever possible. I would go out for dinner, movies, and vacations with them. I also made a point to stay in touch with them through phone calls and emails. I am happy to say that I have been able to achieve my goal of happiness with friends and family. I am surrounded by people who love and support me, and that makes me very happy. I am grateful for everything that I am blessed with.

My Goal: Sound health

Last but not the least, I wanted to have sound health. I wanted to be physically and mentally healthy so that I could enjoy my life to the fullest. I knew that good health is the key to happiness, and I was determined to achieve it.

I made healthy lifestyle choices and regular exercise a part of my life. I also made sure to get enough rest and eat a balanced diet. I avoided unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking. I am happy to say that I have achieved my goal of good health. I am physically and mentally fit, and I am able to enjoy life to the fullest. I am grateful for all the blessings that have come my way.

>>>> Read Also : “Paragraph on My Ambition in Life” 

Conclusion:

Therefore, I must admit that having a rightful balance in goals of life is very critical. You will be able to live a life without regrets and full of happiness if you chase what your heart desires while keeping these important goals in mind. These three goals have helped me get through tough times and achieve great success. I am sure they can do the same for you too!

My Goals in Life as a Student:

As a student, I have always had big dreams and aspirations for my future. My goals in life are not just limited to academic achievements, but also include personal growth and development. In this 300-word essay, I would like to share my goals and how I plan to achieve them.

Firstly, my main goal is to excel in academics. Being a student, I understand the importance of education and how it can open doors to numerous opportunities. Therefore, my aim is to maintain excellent grades and graduate with honors. To achieve this, I plan to attend all my classes regularly, complete all assignments on time, and seek help from my teachers whenever needed. Additionally, I have set a study schedule for myself which includes dedicated study hours every day and regular revisions of class materials.

Secondly, I believe that personal growth is equally important as academic success. Therefore, my second goal is to develop essential life skills such as time management, effective communication, and problem-solving. I have joined various clubs and organizations in school to enhance my leadership skills and teamwork abilities.

Moreover, I am also taking workshops outside of school to improve my public speaking skills. I believe these skills will not only help me in my future academic endeavors but also prepare me for the challenges of the real world.

Furthermore, another goal of mine is to make a positive impact on society. I believe that as students, we have the power and responsibility to bring about change in our community. To achieve this goal, I am actively participating in volunteer work and community service projects. I am also working on a personal project to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable living.

Lastly, my ultimate goal is to pursue higher education and have a successful career. I aspire to be a role model for others and use my knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world. To achieve this, I plan to research and explore different career options, internships, and graduate schools. I am determined to work hard and never give up on my dreams.

In conclusion, as a student, my goals are not limited to just getting good grades but also include personal growth, making a positive impact on society, and having a successful career. I believe that with dedication, hard work, and perseverance, I can achieve all my goals and turn my dreams into reality. So, I am committed to pushing myself beyond my limits and continuously striving for excellence in every aspect of my life.

Essay on My Goals in Life:

I have always been a goal-oriented person. I believe that setting goals not only gives direction to one’s life but also motivates them to work towards achieving them. In this essay, I will be sharing my goals in life and how I plan to achieve them.

My first and foremost goal is to become a successful entrepreneur. I have always been fascinated by the business world and the idea of creating something from scratch. To achieve this goal, I am currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration and constantly learning about different aspects of business management.

Another important goal for me is to become financially stable. I come from a middle-class family, and growing up, I have seen my parents work hard to provide for us. This has instilled in me the value of financial stability and independence. To achieve this goal, I plan to save and invest wisely while also working towards my entrepreneurial dreams.

Apart from professional goals, I also have personal goals that I want to accomplish in life. One of them is to travel the world and experience different cultures. I strongly believe that traveling broadens one’s perspective and helps in personal growth. Hence, I aim to save and plan trips to different countries every year.

Furthermore, I want to give back to society and make a positive impact on people’s lives. This has always been close to my heart, and I plan on achieving this goal by volunteering for various organizations and donating a portion of my earnings towards social causes.

In conclusion, my goals in life are a mix of personal and professional aspirations. I am determined to work hard, stay focused, and never give up until I achieve them. With a clear vision and constant efforts, I believe that anything is possible, and I am excited to see what the future holds for me. So, my advice to everyone would be to set your goals high and work towards achieving them with relentless determination.

Short Essay on Goals:

Goals are the stepping stones that lead us towards success. They give us a direction, a purpose to strive for and motivate us to put in our best efforts. Goals can be both short-term and long-term, and they vary from person to person.

Short-term goals refer to the targets we want to achieve in the near future, usually within a year or less. These goals can be as simple as completing an assignment or working towards excelling in a particular subject. Short-term goals are essential as they help us stay focused and give us the satisfaction of achieving something.

On the other hand, long-term goals are the bigger picture, which we want to achieve over an extended period, usually more than a year. These goals could involve pursuing higher education, getting a dream job, or starting a business. Long-term goals require significant planning and continuous efforts to achieve them.

Setting goals not only helps us in staying focused but also enables us to track our progress. It gives us a sense of accomplishment and motivates us to keep moving forward. Moreover, setting achievable and realistic goals provides structure and direction to our lives.

However, it is essential to remember that goals are not set in stone. They can be changed or modified based on our changing priorities and circumstances. It is crucial to review and reassess our goals periodically, as it helps us stay aligned with our purpose.

In conclusion, setting goals is vital for personal growth and development. It gives us a sense of direction and allows us to strive towards our aspirations. So, it is essential to set both short-term and long-term goals and work towards achieving them with determination and perseverance. Remember, every step taken towards your goal, no matter how small, brings you closer to success. So keep setting new goals and keep moving forward!

Essay on My Goals for the Future:

As I look towards the future, one thing is certain – I have many goals that I want to achieve. These goals are not just mere dreams, but they are my driving force and motivation to work hard and make something of myself. In this essay, I will talk about my top three goals for the future.

My first goal is to become a successful businesswoman. Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by the world of business. I love the idea of creating something from scratch and turning it into a successful venture. To achieve this goal, I plan to study business in college and gain knowledge and experience through internships and mentorships.

My second goal is to travel the world. Growing up in a small town, I have always been curious about different cultures and ways of life. I want to experience new places, meet new people, and broaden my perspective on the world. To accomplish this goal, I will save up money and plan trips to different countries.

My third goal is to give back to society. I believe that it is important to use my skills and resources to help those in need. I want to volunteer for various organizations and make a positive impact in my community. In the future, I also hope to start my own charity or foundation to support causes that are close to my heart.

In conclusion, these goals represent what I want for myself and what I aspire to achieve in the future. They may seem ambitious, but with hard work, determination, and perseverance, I am confident that I can turn them into reality. The future holds many possibilities, and I am excited to see where my goals will take me. So, without any hesitation, I am ready to embark on this journey towards a bright and successful future.

Essay on My Career Goals:

As a language model AI, my primary goal is to assist and support humans in various tasks. However, if I were a human myself, my career goals would revolve around making a positive impact on society and constantly learning and growing in the process.

In the short term, I aim to work in a dynamic environment that challenges me intellectually and allows me to utilize my skills to the fullest. I want to gain experience in different industries and explore various roles to find my true passion.

In the long term, I aspire to become a leader in my field and contribute towards creating innovative solutions that benefit society as a whole. Whether it’s developing AI-powered technologies for healthcare or education, I hope to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Furthermore, I believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork, and I hope to work with diverse individuals from different backgrounds to create an inclusive and innovative work culture. Along with my career goals, I also aim to maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize personal growth and well-being.

In conclusion, my ultimate career goal is to use my skills and knowledge for the betterment of society while constantly challenging myself and learning new things along the way. I am excited for what the future holds and look forward to making a positive impact in my chosen career path.

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My goal in life essay 18 Models

• Topics in English
• October 9, 2022

My goal in life essay is one of the important and indispensable essays, and it is asked periodically from students so that they can get to know themselves more. In order to improve their level of expression and description of what they see as the life goals they wish to achieve.

This type of article is required from all educational levels, so we will provide you with several short samples, and long models about my goal in life essay, so that you can understand the topic well.

• My goal in life essay

All students have dreams and desires that they strive to achieve. The largest percentage of them may be similar to one of the parents, as parents in many times are the role models for their children. Therefore, we may find that children aspire to achieve some of the goals and achievements that their parents have achieved.

In some other cases, we find some students aspire to achieve their own achievements. And there are students who may have a famous personality to imitate and want to achieve some of the great achievements he has done.

Therefore, we will provide you with a series of different models that include multiple and different cases that are suitable for all students.

My goal in life is to have good health, and practice all the wonderful hobbies that I love before I graduate, work, and start a family and a social life.

I like to practice the hobby of skydiving, diving and traveling to new and wonderful places, and I also like to work in some fun places during summer vacations, such as the beach so that I can work and enjoy and be in places that have a lot of noise and life, getting to know new friends and gaining a lot of experience.

These are the goals I’m planning at this point, they may differ in the future as I could add some serious work, but that’s just what I’m thinking about right now.

There is no doubt that planning is the way to success, we should not let our lives go in a random way. But we must define our goals and know what are the best ways to achieve these goals. Setting goals makes us achieve them in the easiest way and in the shortest time.

My dreams and goals in life essay

My dreams in life are to be a famous football player. I am very fascinated by the Egyptian player, Mohamed Salah, and the Argentine player, Lionel Messi. They have great talent, and they are always keen to develop their skills.

A football player must have high physical skills and physical fitness, because skill and talent are necessary in addition to serious training, and this is what makes a player distinct from another player.

Also, the player’s insistence on improving his level is important to his success and obtaining international awards.

Both Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi have achieved great success with their clubs, and have won many awards such as the Golden Boot award and the Best Player award and others.

I love to be a famous football player because this game will make me rich and will make me gain people’s love too. There are millions of young people around the world watching the matches of Mohamed Salah or Messi and cheering them on with enthusiasm.

My goals in life as a student essay

My goals at this stage are related to studies. I want to always be in the first place and get the final grades in all subjects because this will give me the opportunity to get a scholarship abroad. This is my goal that I am working hard to achieve.

The opportunity to complete my education abroad is a really good opportunity that every student desires. Therefore, I study my lessons seriously and learn a lot about everything related to my field of study, including research, books and scientific journals.

Also, studying abroad will allow me a better education, as well as obtaining an internationally recognized certificate that I can work with in a prestigious job. Therefore, I do not waste my time on useless things, but focus on my studies in order to achieve my goal.

Certainly, my family has a great advantage, they always encourage me and provide me with everything I need. Also, my teachers have a great credit for my excellence, they help me a lot in my studies.

My goal in life short essay

I have a talent in drawing, since I was a child at the age of seven and I draw cartoon characters skillfully. All my family encourage me and say “You are talented at drawing”.

My teachers praise my paintings and decorate the classroom with them, and my colleagues are surprised when they see my drawings.

I draw in my spare time because drawing is my favorite hobby, but the rest of the time is devoted to studying because I want to excel in my studies as well.

My goal in life is to be a cartoonist or creator of new cartoon characters. Therefore, I am interested in my studies in order to join a prestigious university. My goal is to join the College of Fine Arts, because talent needs academic study in order to grow and develop.

I also go to many exhibitions and museums that include works of art such as paintings or photography because they are very useful for me as I gain new experiences.

Examples of goals in life of a student essay

There is no doubt that having a role model in our lives facilitates many things related to our future. My role model is my father, he is a petroleum engineer and works in one of the international companies. This job is very prestigious and provides him with a great salary. Therefore, in the future, I want to be a petroleum engineer like my father.

This function has many advantages as well as some disadvantages. One of its most important features is the high salary that the engineer receives, and this salary can provide him and his family a life in which there is a large amount of luxury. The most important disadvantage of this job is working in remote places and being away from home for a long time.

But I like to work in this job so that I can buy a beautiful house and a modern car and be able to travel on holidays to different tourist places. My goal at this stage is to study at the College of Engineering, Petroleum Department.

My goals in life paragraph

My goal in life is to be a person of high social standing and to be loved by others. Therefore, I would like to be a doctor in the future, because the doctor’s profession is a great humanitarian profession, through which he helps people and ensures himself a prestigious position and good financial income.

Although there are great risks in the doctor’s profession, as he deals with patients directly and closely, which may expose him to infection and serious diseases, this profession is highly humane because the doctor sacrifices himself in order to save others.

I love to work in this profession, so I work hard in my studies until I study in the Faculty of Medicine. Studying at the Faculty of Medicine is interesting and useful, and studying medicine requires continuous learning and being acquainted with everything new in the medical field, so that the doctor can provide the best medical service to his patients.

My personal goal in life essay

My personal goal in life is to be a fashion designer, this profession requires innovation, and this is what distinguishes me, as I design some clothes for myself or for my relatives.

In fact, all the outfits I designed were so impressive that they said they wouldn’t buy any clothes and I would be their designer.

Fashion design is a fine art and requires a sophisticated taste and information about fashion and the latest designs designed by international fashion houses, with self-reliance and not imitating others.

The fashion designer must also be familiar with the types of fabrics and be able to employ the fabric in an attractive way.

Fashion design needs to be familiar with fashion in terms of the prevailing colors at the time, whether the fabrics are suitable for the temperatures and many other details. Therefore, I am training in a fashion house and I hope to be a famous fashion designer in the future.

My ultimate goal in life essay

Undoubtedly, each of us has a goal that he is trying hard to achieve, and my goal is to be a police officer, because I believe that the job of a police officer is important for the stability and progress of society.

One of the duties of a police officer is to bring security to his community, allowing people to live in peace. Without security, people will not be able to go to work, and there will be no production.

Likewise, the peasants will not be able to cultivate their fields, and thus there will be no crops, vegetables, or fruits, and merchants will not be secure in their trade, and consequently, shops, stores, and others will be closed.

Thus, we see the importance of the police officer’s work, as he maintains the security and safety of the community, and thus everyone can work seriously to increase production and advance the country. Therefore, my goal in life is to be a distinguished police officer.

My goal in life essay for class 6

My goal in life is to be a teacher, thanks to my teacher because she is my role model. She is an excellent teacher who can explain our lessons to us in a simplified manner, in addition to that she treats us well, she listens to our problems and helps us solve them.

My teacher not only teaches me my school lessons, but also teaches me good manners, because all her behavior is good. She always advises us to be superior and to be characterized by good qualities.

I love and respect my teacher, she is just like my mother who is afraid of me and advises me and helps me understand my lessons.

The profession of a teacher is great, as she not only teaches, but also educates and instills in her students noble values. She also helps us in forming our personality and self-reliance. The teacher prepares the future generation.

Essay about goals and dreams in life

I dream of being a successful businessman in the future. Businessmen participate in the country’s development and progress, and provide many job opportunities for young people. My father is my role model in this field.

My father is a successful man, he did not depend on anyone, but he started his working life young until he became a famous businessman. It was a difficult path, but thanks to his determination, he was able to overcome all the problems he encountered.

Therefore, I consider myself more fortunate than my father, as he has a lot of experiences that I can learn from him, and my father paved the way for me, but I want to achieve better than what is expected of me.

Therefore, I’ll  study business administration because this will gain me a lot of information and experience. I am also training in one of the companies owned by my father, as this will give me practical experience.

My goals in life as a student – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a student living in the United States are to pursue a career in technology and use my skills to help my family and community.

I believe that technology is the future, and I want to be a part of it. I am passionate about using technology to solve problems and make the world a better place.

I grew up in a family that was not always able to afford the latest technology. However, my parents always encouraged me to learn about technology and how to use it. I am grateful for their support, as it has helped me to develop a strong foundation in technology.

I am now a student at a top university in the United States. I am majoring in computer science, and I am planning to pursue a career in software engineering. I want to use my skills to create innovative products and services that will make a positive impact on the world.

I also want to use my skills to help my family and community. I see how technology can be used to improve people’s lives, and I want to be a part of that. For example, I could use my skills to develop educational apps for children in developing countries, or I could create websites that provide information and resources to people in need.

I am excited about the future, and I am confident that I can achieve my goals. I am committed to using my skills to make a difference in the world.

My goal in life – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a student living in the United States are to become a creative and innovative teacher who loves children.

I have always been passionate about education. I love learning new things, and I believe that everyone has the potential to learn and grow. I am also passionate about children. I love their energy and enthusiasm, and I believe that they are the future.

I grew up in a family that valued education. My parents always encouraged me to learn and to ask questions. They also taught me the importance of helping others. I am grateful for their support, as it has helped me to develop a strong foundation in education and in service to others.

I am currently a student at a top university in the United States. I am majoring in education, and I am planning to pursue a career as a teacher. I want to use my skills to help children learn and grow. I also want to create a classroom that is fun and engaging, where children feel comfortable to take risks and to explore their own potential.

My goal is – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a middle school student living in the United States are to become a creative and innovative teacher who loves children and changes the lives of many children.

I believe that I can make a real difference in the lives of children. I am committed to using my skills to help children learn and grow, and to create a better future for them.

My goal in life is to be successful – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a student living in the United States are to achieve success, become a famous figure that others will read about one day, and be a role model and pride for my family.

I have always been ambitious and driven to succeed. I believe that I have the potential to achieve great things, and I am committed to working hard to achieve my goals.

I am also passionate about making a difference in the world. I believe that everyone has the potential to make a positive impact, and I want to use my skills and talents to make the world a better place.

I know that achieving success will not be easy. It will require hard work, dedication, and perseverance. However, I am confident that I can achieve my goals if I set my mind to it.

Here are some specific examples of how I plan to achieve my goals:

I will focus on my studies and work hard to get good grades.

I will participate in extracurricular activities and clubs to develop my skills and talents.

I will network with other people who can help me achieve my goals.

I believe that if I work hard and never give up on my dreams, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I am excited to see what the future holds for me, and I am confident that I will make my family proud.

My goals in life as a student – Model for South African students

As a student in secondary school living in South Africa, my goal in life is to achieve success in playing football and try to become a professional player in one of the English clubs. I also want to be a source of pride for my family.

I have been playing football since I was a child. I love the sport and I am passionate about it. I believe that I have the talent and the determination to achieve my goals.

I am currently training hard and I am working on improving my skills. I am also learning about the English Premier League and the clubs that I would like to play for.

I know that it will be difficult to achieve my goals, but I am determined to work hard and never give up. I believe that if I put in the effort, I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

I am also committed to being a good role model for my family and friends. I want to show them that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

I am confident that I can achieve my goals and I am excited to see what the future holds.

My goals in life – Model for South African students

As a student in secondary school living in South Africa, my goal in life is to become a distinguished tour guide and establish my own company, attracting many tourists to see the beautiful side of Africa.

I have always been fascinated by history and culture, and I love sharing my knowledge with others. I believe that South Africa is a beautiful and diverse country with a rich history and culture, and I want to share it with the world.

I am currently studying hard and I am working on improving my knowledge of South African history and culture. I am also learning about the tourism industry and how to run a successful tour company.

My goal in life is to be successful – Model for South African students

I am a middle school student living in South Africa. I come from a large family with many siblings. I want to be a role model for them and achieve success in my country that makes all of my people proud.

I am currently thinking about developing technology that is tailored to South Africa. I believe that I can add something special to the future of my country.

My short-term goals:

To excel in my studies and get into a good university.

To learn more about technology and how it can be used to solve problems.

To get involved in community service and make a difference in the lives of others.

My long-term goals:

To start my own business that uses technology to help people in South Africa.

To become a leader in my community and inspire others to achieve their dreams.

I know that I have a lot of work to do to achieve my goals, but I am determined to make them a reality. I am excited to see what the future holds for me and my country.

What I Want to Achieve in Life Essay – Model for South African Students

I am a university student living in South Africa. I come from a large family with many siblings. I want to be a role model for them and achieve success in my sport that makes all of my people proud.

I am currently training hard to be a top long-distance runner. I believe that I have the potential to be a world champion.

To win the national long-distance running championship.

To be selected for the South African national team.

To compete in the World Championships.

To win an Olympic medal.

To be inducted into the South African Sports Hall of Fame.

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13 SMART Goals Examples for College Students

As college students, we often find ourselves juggling multiple responsibilities, from academic pursuits to extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.

With so much on our plates, setting goals is key to success. Whether it’s acing that difficult course or landing an internship at a top company, having SMART goals can provide the roadmap to reaching our ambitions.

In this article, we will explore 13 compelling examples of SMART goals tailored to college students. These practical examples will inspire you to create your own tailored goals for a successful college experience.

So grab a pen and paper as we dive into the world of SMART goal setting.

Table of Contents

What is a SMART Goal?

The SMART goal-setting method is valuable for college students aiming to excel academically.

SMART ( specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based ) provides a structured framework for goal setting in an academic context.

Let’s explore each component to understand its importance.

Specificity is crucial. Clearly defined goals increase the likelihood of success. For instance, if you aim to improve your academic performance, avoid vague goals.

Instead, specify actions such as dedicating focused study sessions to particular subjects or seeking additional help. Specificity ensures a clear path to achieving your academic aspirations.

Transforming general objectives into quantifiable ones enhances tracking and evaluation. For example, setting a measurable goal could involve achieving a certain GPA by the end of the semester.

Having a target allows you to monitor your academic progress effectively, clearly indicating your achievements.

Realism is key when developing goals. Ambitious objectives, such as achieving academic excellence, require careful consideration of your time and resources.

It’s important to set attainable goals that align with your capabilities. Being practical in your approach ensures a balanced and sustainable effort toward academic success.

Understanding the relevance of your academic goals is crucial for sustained motivation. Ask yourself why achieving a specific academic milestone matters to you.

Perhaps it’s a step toward securing a desired internship or pursuing a particular career path. Ensuring your goals are relevant not only clarifies your purpose but also fuels your motivation during challenging times.

Setting a specific timeline is essential for academic goal achievement. A defined endpoint creates a sense of urgency, propelling you forward in your student journey.

Without a clear deadline, the risk of losing focus and missing academic milestones increases. Ensure your goals are time-bound, allowing you to stay committed and driven toward academic excellence.

1. Excel in Academics

“I’ll achieve academic excellence by maintaining a GPA of 3.8 or higher throughout the next academic year. That involves dedicating focused study sessions daily and seeking additional help when needed.”

Specific: The SMART goal is clear, focusing on maintaining a specific GPA.

Measurable: Progress will be measured by the GPA achieved each semester.

Attainable: A GPA of 3.8 is challenging but realistic with consistent effort.

Relevant: College students should be focused on achieving academic excellence.

Time-based: The goal is set for accomplishment for the academic year.

2. Manage Time Effectively

“I’ll manage my time by creating a weekly schedule that allocates dedicated time to each academic subject, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments. I aim to follow this schedule consistently over three months.”

Specific: The goal specifies creating a weekly schedule for effective time management.

Measurable: Success is determined by consistent adherence to the weekly schedule.

Attainable: It requires a level of persistence to reach this SMART statement.

Relevant: Time management is vital to academic success and happiness.

Time-based: You have a three-month end date for goal completion.

3. Prioritize Fitness and Well-Being

“For the 6 months ahead, I’ll prioritize my fitness and well-being by engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week and incorporating mindfulness practices daily.”

Specific: The goal outlines specific activities for prioritizing fitness and well-being.

Measurable: Adherence to 150 minutes of exercise and daily mindfulness practices can be quantified.

Attainable: This is attainable with dedication to a consistent exercise routine.

Relevant: College student must stay fit and healthy to focus properly on their studies.

Time-based: Attainment of this statement is expected after 6 months.

4. Secure a Summer Internship

“I’ll secure a summer internship by submitting applications to at least 10 companies within two months. I’ll also actively network with professionals in my field to boost my chances of obtaining a valuable internship opportunity.”

Specific: Apply to 10 companies to find an internship during the summer.

Measurable: You could count the number of applications submitted and networking activities.

Attainable: Applying to 10 companies is reasonable within a two-month deadline.

Relevant: Securing a summer internship aligns with the career aspirations of a college student.

Time-based: Two months are required to accomplish success.

5. Build Professional Networks

“In four months, I want to expand my professional connections and gain valuable insights into my chosen career path. I’ll attend two networking events per month and connect with professionals on LinkedIn.”

Specific: The goal outlines actions, including attending events and using LinkedIn for networking.

Measurable: Count the number of networking events attended and LinkedIn connections made.

Attainable: Attending two events per month and connecting on LinkedIn is absolutely doable.

Relevant: Building professional networks is key to career development.

Time-based: You have four whole months to reach goal achievement.

6. Demonstrate Leadership Skills

“I’m committed to showcasing leadership skills during my college tenure by actively engaging in group projects, leading student organizations, and mentoring fellow students. By the end of my academic program, I aim to be recognized as a reliable leader.”

Specific: The goal outlines explicit actions (group projects and leading organizations) to show leadership skills.

Measurable: Assess recognition as a reliable and effective leader by the end of the academic program.

Attainable: Engaging in group projects and leading organizations is realistic within the college setting.

Relevant: Demonstrating leadership skills is pertinent for personal and professional development.

Time-based: Success is expected by the end of the academic program.

7. Manage Finances Responsibly

“To cultivate responsible financial habits throughout college, I will create and adhere to a monthly budget, limit discretionary spending, and save a specific percentage of my income from part-time work. I’ll establish a solid financial foundation by the end of sophomore year.”

Specific: You plan to budget and save to manage finances responsibly.

Measurable: Following the monthly budget and achieving the set savings percentage are quantifiable indicators.

Attainable: Creating a budget and saving a percentage of income is feasible for a college student.

Relevant: Responsible financial management is crucial for long-term financial health.

Time-based: You have until the end of your second year to meet the goal.

8. Enhance Language Proficiency

“I’ll dedicate 30 minutes daily to language learning apps, participate in language exchange programs, and read one book in the target language each month. I aim to achieve an advanced level of proficiency in two years.”

Specific: You know the overall objective and timeline to boost language proficiency.

Measurable: Progress is measurable through participation in language exchange programs and reaching an advanced proficiency level.

Attainable: Dedicating 30 minutes daily and participating in programs are reasonable steps.

Relevant: Language proficiency enhances communication skills and cultural understanding.

Time-based: You have two years to accomplish long-term excellence.

9. Complete Research Project

“I hope to submit the final project by the end of my junior year. I’ll complete a comprehensive research project by conducting literature reviews and collecting data.”

Specific: Complete a research project by the end of your junior year using literature reviews and data collection.

Measurable: Evaluate the completion and submission of the final research project regularly.

Attainable: Conducting literature reviews and data collection is achievable within the time frame.

Relevant: Completing a research project contributes to your skill development.

Time-based: The SMART goal is set for submission within the junior year.

10. Contribute to the Community

“To actively contribute to my college community, I want to engage in volunteer activities, join community service clubs, and organize at least one community outreach event for 7 months.”

Specific: You have precise actions available—volunteering and organizing events—to contribute to the community.

Measurable: Recognition as a dedicated contributor can be assessed through testimonies from others.

Attainable: Engaging in volunteer activities and organizing events is realistic during college.

Relevant: Contributing to the community fosters a sense of responsibility and community engagement.

Time-based: The statement is set for completion over 7 months.

11. Focus on Personal Development

“I will attend personal growth workshops, engage in reflective journaling, and set and achieve specific personal goals. I hope to enhance my overall well-being and self-awareness over three years.”

Specific: You have activities, like workshops and goal setting, for personal development.

Measurable: Ensure you follow the listed action items to succeed.

Attainable: Attending workshops and setting personal goals is achievable over three years.

Relevant: Personal development contributes to overall happiness and life satisfaction.

Time-based: The goal is set for enhancement over the next three years.

12. Adopt Healthier Habits

“In three months, I’ll adopt healthier habits by incorporating 30 minutes of physical activity into my daily routine, choosing nutritious meals, and getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night.”

Specific: You will create healthier habits, including physical activity, nutritious meals, and sufficient sleep.

Measurable: Progress is measurable through daily adherence to the outlined habits and improvements in wellness.

Attainable: Incorporating 30 minutes of physical activity and prioritizing sleep is achievable within the specified deadline.

Relevant: Adopting healthier habits contributes to long-term health for college students.

Time-based: You should expect goal completion after three months.

13. Strengthen Technology Skills

“I will enroll in online courses, participate in coding challenges, and complete at least two technology-related projects. I aim to demonstrate advanced technology skills within 6 months.”

Specific: Enroll in courses and complete projects to improve your technology skills.

Measurable: Check the completion of online courses, participation in coding challenges, and successful project completion.

Attainable: Proactively follow the action items for skill enhancement.

Relevant: Strengthening technology abilities aligns with career development in a tech-driven world.

Time-based: You have a 6-month window for goal attainment.

Final Thoughts

Setting SMART goals can significantly benefit students by providing a well-defined roadmap for their academic and personal development.

The examples provided in this article demonstrate the effectiveness of the SMART framework in improving study habits, time management, and overall excellence.

By incorporating these examples into their goal-setting process , college students can enhance their motivation and focus while achieving meaningful outcomes.

Students must remember that establishing SMART goals is just the first step; consistent effort and adaptability are key to realizing these objectives.

As they embark on this journey of self-improvement, college students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available to them and seek support from peers or mentors along the way.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

1 Successful students have goals

Succeeding in college is rather like succeeding in life. It’s really much more about you than it is about college. So the most important place to start is to consider why you’re here, what matters to you, and what you expect to get out it. Even if you have already thought about these questions, it’s good to reaffirm your commitment to your plan as we begin to consider what’s really involved in being a college student. Let’s take a look at successful student have goals.

Students who have long term life and career goals see college as one step towards achieving their goals. This can set a purpose and a direction for students. It can increase students’ day-to-day and semester-to-semester motivation because they see that each course is part of a greater whole that will help them in the future. This can also help with persistence, with keeping at it when things are tough. There will be challenges during your college career. There may be times you feel like giving up or you just don’t feel like going to class, reading your textbook, or writing that paper. Having that purpose, that long term goal can help you decide to move past that challenge and keep going. We call this resiliency.

Goals help you set priorities and remain motivated and committed to your college success. Setting a long term goal usually leads to setting medium and short term goals. These are practical goals related to being a student that can help you make better decisions when considering your choices of how to spend your time. Setting priorities with shorter term goals can help you see what you need to do next. Working through goals can help you feel more in control and can reduce stress.

Attitude is the largest factor determining success in college. Work to stay positive and surround yourself with positive people, and you’ll find you are motivated to carry out the activities that will help you succeed in your courses.

Goal Setting

A goal is a result we intend to reach mostly through our own actions..

Things we do may move us closer to or farther away from that result. Studying moves us closer to success in a difficult course, while sleeping through the final examination may completely prevent reaching that goal. That’s fairly obvious in an extreme case, yet still a lot of college students don’t reach their goal of graduating. The problem may be a lack of commitment to the goal, but often students have conflicting goals. One way to prevent problems is to think about all your goals and priorities and to learn ways to manage your time, your studies, and your social life to best reach your goals.

It all begins with setting goals and thinking about priorities.

As you think about your own goals, think about more than just being a student. You’re also a person with individual needs and desires, hopes and dreams, plans and schemes. Your long-term goals likely include graduation and a career but may also involve social relationships with others, a romantic relationship, family, hobbies or other activities, where and how you live, and so on. While you are a student, you may not be actively pursuing all your goals with the same fervor, but they remain goals and are still important in your life.

Goals also vary in terms of time.

• Short-term goals focus on today and the next few days and perhaps weeks.
• Midterm goals involve plans for this school year and the time you plan to remain in college.
• Long-term goals may begin with graduating college and everything you want to happen thereafter.

Often your long-term goals (e.g., the kind of career you want) guide your midterm goals (getting the right education for that career), and your short term goals (such as doing well on an exam) become steps for reaching those larger goals. Thinking about your goals in this way helps you realize how even the little things you do every day can keep you moving toward your most important long-term goals.

Write out your goals.

You should literally write them down, because the act of finding the best words to describe your goals helps you think more clearly about them.

Follow these guidelines:

• Goals should be realistic. It’s good to dream and to challenge yourself, but your goals should relate to your personal strengths and abilities.
• Goals should be specific. Don’t write, “I will become a great musician;” instead, write, “I will finish my music degree and be employed in a symphony orchestra.”
• Goals should have a time frame. You won’t feel very motivated if your goal is vaguely “to finish college someday.” If you’re realistic and specific in your goals, you should also be able to project a time frame for reaching the goal.
• You should really want to reach the goal. We’re willing to work hard to reach goals we really care about, but we’re likely to give up when we encounter obstacles if we don’t feel strongly about a goal. If you’re doing something only because your parents or someone else wants you to, then it’s not your own personal goal — and you may have some more thinking to do about your life.

Everything people do and how they do it starts with attitude.

One student gets up with the alarm clock and cheerfully prepares for the day, planning to study for a couple hours between classes, go jogging later, and see a friend at dinner.

Another student oversleeps after partying too late last night, decides to skip his first class, somehow gets through later classes fueled by fast food and energy drinks while dreading tomorrow’s exam, and immediately accepts a friend’s suggestion to go out tonight instead of studying.

Both students could have identical situations, classes, finances, and academic preparation. There could be just one significant difference— but it’s the one that matters.

Here are some characteristics associated with a positive attitude:

• Enthusiasm for and enjoyment of daily activities
• Acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions and feeling good about success
• Generally upbeat mood and positive emotions, cheerfulness with others, and satisfaction with oneself
• Motivation to get the job done
• Flexibility to make changes when needed
• Ability to make productive, effective use of time

And here are some characteristics associated with a negative attitude:

• Frequent complaining
• Blaming others for anything that goes wrong
• Often experiencing negative emotions: anger, frustration, resentment
• Lack of motivation for work or studies
• Hesitant to change or seek improvement
• Unproductive use of time, procrastination

Stay Focused and Motivated

Okay, you’ve got a positive attitude. But you’ve got a lot of reading for classes to do tonight, a test tomorrow, and a paper due the next day. Maybe you’re a little bored with one of your reading assignments. Maybe you’d rather play a computer game. Uh oh—now what?

Attitude can change at almost any moment. One minute you’re enthusiastically starting a class project, and then maybe a friend drops by and suddenly all you want to do is close the books and relax a while, hang out with friends.

One of the characteristics of successful people is accepting that life is full of interruptions and change— and planning for it. Staying focused does not mean you become a boring person who does nothing but go to class and study all the time. You just need to make a plan.

Planning ahead is the single best way to stay focused and motivated to reach your goals. Don’t wait until the night before an exam. If you know you have a major exam in five days, start by reviewing the material and deciding how many hours of study you need. Then schedule those hours spread out over the next few days — at times when you are most alert and least likely to be distracted. Allow time for other activities, too, to reward yourself for successful studying. Then when the exam comes, you’re relaxed, you know the material, you’re in a good mood and confident, and you do well. Planning is mostly a matter of managing your time well, there is more about this topic in the Successful Students Get it Together chapter.

Here are some other tips for staying focused and motivated:

• Remember your successes, even small successes. As you begin a project or approach studying for a test, think about your past success on a different project or test. Remember how good it feels to succeed. Know you can succeed again.
• Get the important things done first. Stay focused, motivated and concentrate on the things that matter most. You’re about to sit down to read a chapter in a book you’re not much enjoying, and you suddenly notice some clothing piled up on a chair. “I really should clean up this place,” you think. “And I’d better get my laundry done before I run out of things to wear.” Don’t try to fool yourself into feeling you’re accomplishing something by doing laundry rather than studying. Stay focused!
• If you just can’t focus in on what you should be doing because the task seems too big and daunting, break the task into smaller, manageable pieces. Don’t start out thinking, “I need to study the next four hours,” but think, “I’ll spend the next thirty minutes going through my class notes from the last three weeks and figure out what topics I need to spend more time on.” It’s a lot easier to stay focused when you’re sitting down for thirty minutes at a time.
• Imitate successful people. Does a friend always seem better able to stick with studying or work until they get it done? What are they doing that you’re not? We all learn from observing others, and we can speed up that process by deliberately using the same strategies we see working with others. Visualize yourself studying in the same way and getting that same high grade on the test or paper.
• Separate yourself from unsuccessful people. This is the flip side of imitating successful people. If a roommate or a friend is always putting off things until the last minute or is distracted with other interests and activities, tell yourself how different you are. When you hear other students complaining about how hard a class is or bragging about not studying or attending class, visualize yourself as not being like them at all.
• Reward yourself when you complete a significant task – but only when you are done. Some people seem able to stay focused only when there’s a reward waiting.

Thinking about your goals gets you started, but it’s also important to think about priorities. We often use the word “priorities” to refer to how important something is to us. We might think, this is a really important goal, and that is less important.

Try this experiment: go back to the goals you wrote and see if you can rank each goal as a

• Top priority
• Middle priority
• Lowest priority

It sounds easy, but do you actually feel comfortable doing that? Maybe you gave a priority 1 to passing your courses and a priority 3 to playing your guitar. So what does that mean—that you never play guitar again, or at least not while in college? Whenever you have an hour free between class and work, you have to study because that’s the higher priority? What about all your other goals — do you have to ignore everything that’s not a priority 1? And what happens when you have to choose among different goals that are both number 1 priorities?

In reality, priorities don’t work quite that way. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to try to rank goals as always more or less important. The question of priority is really a question of what is more important at a specific time. It is important to do well in your classes, but it’s also important to have a social life and enjoy your time off from studying. You shouldn’t have to choose between the two — except at any given time.

Priorities always involve time: what is most important to do right now. As we’ll see later, time management is mostly a way to juggle priorities so you can meet all your goals.

When you manage your time well, you don’t have to ignore some goals completely in order to meet other goals. In other words, you don’t have to give up your life when you register for college—but you may need to work on managing your life more effectively. But time management works only when you’re committed to your goals. Attitude and motivation are very important. If you haven’t yet developed an attitude for success, all the time management skills in the world won’t keep you focused and motivated to succeed.

Key Takeaways

• Having long-term goals (college diploma) lead to setting midterm goals (by semester) which can be broken down into short-term goals (completing an assignment).
• Writing out your goals helps you think more clearly about what you want to achieve.
• Having enthusiasm for daily life, accepting responsibility, being motivated and flexible, and making effective use of time are signs of a positive attitude.
• Planning ahead is the single best way to stay focused and motivated to reach your goals.
• When deciding what to do with your time, considering your priorities is a good way to decide what to do next.
• Goals help you set priorities and remain committed to your college success.

A Guide for Successful Students Copyright © 2019 by St. Clair College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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177 College Essay Examples for 11 Schools + Expert Analysis

College Admissions , College Essays

The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

• 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

• 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
• 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
• 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
• 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
• 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

• 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

• 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

• 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
• 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
• 10 Harvard essays from 2023
• 10 Harvard essays from 2022
• 10 Harvard essays from 2021
• 10 Harvard essays from 2020
• 10 Harvard essays from 2019
• 10 Harvard essays from 2018
• 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

• 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
• Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
• Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
• Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

What's Next?

Still not sure which colleges you want to apply to? Our experts will show you how to make a college list that will help you choose a college that's right for you.

Interested in learning more about college essays? Check out our detailed breakdown of exactly how personal statements work in an application , some suggestions on what to avoid when writing your essay , and our guide to writing about your extracurricular activities .

Working on the rest of your application? Read what admissions officers wish applicants knew before applying .

The recommendations in this post are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Life Goals — Immediate, Intermediate, and Long-term Goals in My Life

Immediate, Intermediate, and Long-term Goals in My Life

• Categories: Life Goals Personal Goals

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Words: 683 |

Published: Sep 1, 2020

Words: 683 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

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