Your essay can cover lots of ground, and stories from the past are often a critical piece of the puzzle. And yet! The best essays must also reveal the version of you that exists right this moment. You can absolutely acquaint your reader with younger you, back when you proudly rocked a side-part and ranked in the top one percent of Imagine Dragons listeners. But be sure to live in the now and burn words on 12th-grade you — that’s the version admissions needs to know best.

I know what you’re doing. You’re wasting precious brainpower trying to anticipate what they want. What story would matter to them? Stop right there. You’re going about this all wrong! Start with what matters to you. Some of my favorite essays have taken me down rabbit holes on a huge variety of topics — Lord of the Rings, bassoon, longboarding, shark fishing, anime, Coldplay — and I always emerge a more informed reader. These essays do more than educate me on the topic; they illuminate my understanding of the writer and reveal identity. Your story matters. Your topic should, too.

You’re scouring your brain for that one-in-a-million topic college admissions has never seen before. You’re searching for a moment to write about that has never been experienced by another living being. And now, you’re paralyzed by fear, indecision, and writer’s block. Relax! Your topic can often be found in your feelings, and letting emotions be your guide as you brainstorm might lead to a story that will hit your reader right in the feels.

You’re ready to get cracking. You’re desperate for guidance. And if you’re like a lot of students, your head is filled with myths and misinformation about this process. I’ll keep it real and tell you what’s what.

Is time really running out? Are you already behind? Nope. Breathe. Chill. Learn where your head should be in May and what you can do to prepare for your college essays as you wrap up junior year.

Stories with good bones are potent, powerful, and illuminating. They do the heavy lifting, communicating identity beyond the data points of your application. They’re crafted with integrity and authenticity. I’ll teach you how to build them.