how to start an essay about experience

How to Write About Experience: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you are writing a college application essay or creative nonfiction, this guide will help you how to write about experience.

There are many theories about how and why humans evolved to have an unparalleled capacity for language. One theory is that two million years ago, early humans developed language to describe their personal experiences with toolmaking to teach those skills to others. 

When you write nonfiction about your own experience, in any format, you are doing something profound. You are creating an opportunity for empathy and learning. 

Writing about your own experience may sound easy (after all, you’re the world’s foremost expert on yourself), but it isn’t always as simple as “Me name Oog. Me make knife by flaking chip from stone, see!” The personal essay writing process is full of risks and potential pitfalls. However, doing it well is within nearly anyone’s grasp if they follow a few basic steps. 

Write About Tension and Conflict

Write about growth, write about something remarkable yet relatable, listing ten ideas, organizational revision, thematic revision, stylistic revision, proofreading, the bottom line on writing about experiences, what are some good topics for a life experience essay, what are examples of personal experiences, step 1: choose a topic.

If you’re old enough to write a personal essay, you’ve lived long enough to have a wealth of experiences to write about. You may think nobody would want to read about your boring life, but you’re wrong. The key is simply choosing the right experiences to write about.

In any piece of writing—a novel, a memoir, or even a college application essay—the number one way to keep a reader’s interest is to focus on two dynamics: tension and conflict. Ideally, this will include both external conflict (you versus an obstacle in the outside world) and an internal conflict (you versus yourself, emotionally speaking).

Conflict is essential for a good essay. Nobody wants to read about the dinner party you hosted where the food turned out great, the guests all got along, and someone helped you do the dishes before they left. Instead, they want to read about the dinner party you hosted where one guest threw a glass of wine in her husband’s face before storming out. Conflict makes every story more interesting. 

Tension is different from conflict, but they are related. One form of tension is that uneasy period of waiting for the obviously inevitable conflict to occur. For example, suppose conflict is a glass of wine to the face.

In that case, tension is the wife slicing her steak viciously as she watches her husband play footsie with another woman, growing red-faced with anger, standing up to leave, realizing she has a glass of wine in her hand, throwing it, and the horrifying slow-motion sequence of red wine flying through the air on the way to her husband’s face.

Tension can take a variety of other forms. Foreshadowing can create tension. If you mention that the party ended with a glass of wine to the face, but you start by describing a party that is going smoothly, the reader’s curiosity about how the party went from A to point Z can create tension. 

The subtext is another good strategy. If you can give the reader the feeling that not all is as it appears or that they know more than the characters do, the reader will wonder if and how the characters will figure it out and what conflict will result.

There are exceptions, but in general, readers find stasis boring and growth interesting. Even in the case of our caveman Oog describing his innovative stone tool construction technique, communicating about how you learned to do something important is intrinsically interesting. That is why 99% of protagonists in fiction (James Bond excluded) experience an arc of personal growth over the course of a story. Nonfiction is no different.

Phillip Lopate, an expert on the art of creative nonfiction, calls it the “double-perspective.” He explains , “In writing memoir, the trick, it seems to me, is to establish a double-perspective, which will allow the reader to participate vicariously in the experience as it was lived (the confusions and misapprehensions of the child one was, say) while conveying the sophisticated wisdom of one’s current self.”

This does not necessarily mean that your writing should contain anything as heavy-handed as an explicit lesson or moral. Instead, your goal should be to balance clarity and subtlety. The key is to show growth rather than merely telling the reader that you grew.

One of my mother’s favorite stories is about a “rubber” chicken. In this story, she, a newlywed, prepared a wonderful dinner to impress her in-laws. As she carried out a platter topped with a golden, steaming, juicy chicken that she had roasted to perfection, she tripped on a rug.

Everyone stared as the chicken launched off the platter, bouncing across the room like a rubber ball. Concealing her panic with an upbeat tone, she said, “Oops! I’ll be right back.” She picked the chicken up from the floor, took it into the kitchen, dusted it off, put it back on the platter, and walked back into the dining room. Beaming, she announced, “Good thing I roasted a backup chicken!” 

It could have happened to anyone. Something like it (embarrassment at the moment you’re trying your hardest to impress someone) has happened to everyone. It is entirely relatable, but it is also remarkable. It is a story with tension and humor baked in (pardon the pun). The visual image of the chicken bouncing across the room is memorable. Listening to the story, I felt her triumph as she overcame her panic and devised a creative solution. 

The point is you don’t need to have worked as a war zone medic or climbed Mt. Everest to write a compelling story about your own experience. You simply need to mine your memories for moments that will surprise your readers, spark an emotional response, and engage their empathy.

Step 2: Brainstorm and Build

Coming up with the base topic that will form the backbone of your essay is the easy part. The next step is to develop the idea into a draft.

If I had in mind that I wanted to write a story about my mother, I might start by thinking about how she is a kind and caring person. She grew up on a farm, and she taught me to read …  BORING! When it comes to writing essays, the first idea is rarely the best idea. 

One great strategy for digging deeper, to find the truly interesting story, is to make a list. Force yourself to make a list of at least ten different things you could write about that fit the subject.

Even if you love the second or third idea, press on and write at least ten bullet points. You may stick with the second idea, but it’s more likely that around idea eight or nine, you’ll start running out of steam, and then BAM! You’ll remember the rubber chicken.

Even if you already have the central spine of your story, you can use this technique to flesh it out. I might try to think of the top ten lessons I learned from hearing my mother’s rubber chicken story (stay calm, think fast, lie when necessary, don’t put throw rugs in the dining room, always cook a backup chicken, etc.). Just remember that your first idea will almost always be the most boring, obvious idea. Dig through the chaff until you get to the wheat.

Mind maps are a great way to brainstorm connections that will give your essay depth. Take your central idea and write it in the center of the page, and then circle it. For example, I might write “Rubber Chicken” in the middle as my starting point.

Then draw lines radiating away from the circle, and at the end of each line, write down an idea related (even if tangentially) to the central topic. For example, my second-level ideas might include connections like “Mom teaching me how to cook,” “Vegetarianism,” “When honest people lie,” “Overcoming humiliation,” and “Disastrous first impressions.” Write as many as you can.

Circle each second-level idea, then repeat the process. Then see if you can find connections between any second and third-level ideas and draw lines connecting them.

In going through this process, I might discover that rather than writing about my mother’s rubber chicken story itself, I really want to write about terrible first date experiences (connecting the humiliation and first impressions topics). I might realize that I can use the rubber chicken story as an anecdote that contrasts how I actually handled a disastrous blind date with how I wish I’d handled it. 

These kinds of unexpected connections often result in the most innovative essays. 

One of my favorite essays that I’ve written appeared in my mind, fully formed, after I read a truly stunning essay (Leslie Jamison’s “The Empathy Exams.”). I set the book down on the couch next to me and grabbed my laptop to start writing. When I finally stood up, five thousand words later, I had a free-write that, with editing, became a pretty strong essay. 

It is rarely the case that a brain dump results in a structurally sound essay in the first draft. But even when the result is a hot mess that will never see the light of day, it is an extremely valuable exercise.

A no-thoughts-censored free-write uses the momentum of your internal, intuitive sense of narrative to help you uncover ideas that you would never have thought of simply by making lists or writing your first draft using a pre-determined structure and outline.

You might only save a sentence or two from your free-write to use in your actual essay. Still, the process of getting into a flow state, writing without constraints, simply letting your brain wander is an invaluable creative process. You might need to repeatedly free-write related themes to find the magical glue that holds your essay together. 

Step 4: Revise, Revise, Revise

This section is not simply called “Revise” because the truth is virtually no great essays about your experience result from one writing session and one revision session. Therefore, revision should be viewed not as a single editing pass but as a series of them, each targeting a specific aspect of the essay. 

It is crucial to find the proper structure for your topic. Once you do, you may need to rewrite substantial sections of your draft or write entirely new sections. Therefore, structural revision should always be the first editing pass you make to save yourself wasted time and effort (for example, time spent proofreading a section you end up cutting). 

You can go with a standard structure, like chronological order, or using a “frame story” (for example, starting with a flash-forward to the ending, then moving back in time to tell the story in a chronological format), or the classic three-act structure (set-up, rising action, and climax/resolution).

You can also try a more creative or innovative structure. The “braided essay,” in which you have several distinct threads/stories that weave together, is a great choice. 

You may need to try fitting your essay into several structures before you find the one that works best for describing your experience. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.

At the same time, don’t get so attached to a structural gimmick (reverse-chronological order, or present tense, or anything other than first-person, for example) that it distracts from the substance of your writing.

Once you have the general structure, consider how you’ve integrated your major themes. Do they cohere, or do they send the reader’s mind heading in too many directions? Are they too obvious, or are they too subtle? Can you find ways to represent your theme implicitly, using symbolic images?

For example, is there an anecdote you can swap out for a different one that addresses the theme more meaningfully?

If it turns out all of your content related to one theme is in the last third of your essay, consider how you can sprinkle it into the beginning. Or perhaps you’ll want to do the opposite.

Is your essay structured to build up to a huge and unexpected revelation? Maybe you want to cut out obvious hints about the revelation that slipped into the first half. 

Only after the substance of the essay feels solid should you give serious attention to your sentence quality, but that doesn’t make it any less important. If you have any doubt about the power of style to elevate an essay, read one by David Sedaris, Virginia Woolf, Hunter S. Thompson, or James Baldwin.

When you’re editing for style, one of the best strategies is reading your essay aloud. Consider how your sentence length and structure affect pacing and emphasis. 

Remember that you’re writing about your experience, so the authorial voice should sound like you . You can aim for a slightly elevated version of how you normally speak, but be careful not to elevate it too much. Many otherwise delightful essays have been ruined by overly formal diction or overuse of a thesaurus.

Revision is a great time to inject some humor. You might also do a little research and include a quotation that fits your theme or some factual information that contextualizes the personal experience you’re writing about. 

Try to replace vague, mundane details with unusual, specific information. (My mother’s roasted chicken didn’t just fall to the floor, it bounced across the room like a rubber ball, for example.) Replace the passive voice with action verbs. Find good opportunities for figurative language, but don’t overdo it. 

Only when your essay feels like it’s polished and firing on all cylinders should you bother to look for typos and formatting problems. Unfortunately, by this time, you will likely be unable to actually read your essay. Instead, your eyes will skip over it and read what you expect to see there rather than the words that are actually on the page. 

That makes it extremely important to have a friend proofread your essay rather than doing it all yourself. The good news is, your essay should be so well-written at this point, from your previous rounds of editing, that it will be a pleasure for your friend to read for you.

There are certain essays and essay collections that stick with you. Sometimes it’s because the author had a truly extraordinary experience, but more often is because in reflecting on the subject, the author showed genuine insight into their own life that sparks the reader to have a new understanding of their own life.

With deliberate use of conflict, vivid detail, and the double-perspective, you can elevate your own experience and inspire others with your writing. 

FAQs on How to Write About Experience

You can’t go wrong following the three guidelines described above (write about tension and conflict, write about growth, and write about something remarkable but relatable). However, the specific experiences you write about should be guided by the goal of the writing.

For example, if you’re writing a college application essay, make sure that you directly and specifically answer the prompt. If the application asks, “Describe a person you admire and why,” don’t forget to explain the why (not just what admirable thing the person did, but why that thing mattered to you personally). But even though the prompt doesn’t ask it, remember the overall Why? Why should they want a student like you at their university?

The same principle applies when writing about your work history and other relevant experience for a prospective employer. Perhaps above all, the university or hiring manager you’re writing for wants to see that you have the potential, under their guidance, to grow as an intellectual/professional and as a human being. So show them that you know how to grow.

Even if you’re writing an essay that is more creative, more literary, focusing on the double-perspective is often the easiest way to find an essay topic with enough meaningful substance to mine. Look for a past experience that is vivid in your memory (so that you can accurately and compellingly portray your younger self’s experience) but is also remote enough to show growth (by contrasting the at-the-time experience with a new perspective).

Trauma can be a tempting starting point for an essay, but be cautious. Unless you have sufficient distance and have done the hard work of processing and recovery, trauma can be just as challenging to read as it is to write. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t write about your trauma without including at least a few moments of levity, you aren’t ready to write about it for others to read.

If you’re trying to write about your experiences and still struggling to come up with a subject, here are five great starting points: 1. Write about a time when you faced significant obstacles and overcame them. 2. Write about the end of a meaningful relationship, for better or worse. 3. Write about the first time you visited a place totally unlike your usual environment and what it showed you about your blind spots. 4. Write about a firmly held belief you used to have and what changed your mind. 5. Write about a habit that is important to you and how you formed it.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Life Experiences — Personal Experience

Personal Experience Essays

Personal experiences are the threads that weave the fabric of our lives. Writing a personal experience essay isn't just about storytelling; it's about finding meaning, connecting with others, and leaving your mark on the world. So, why should you write an essay about your personal experiences? Let's explore the importance together! 🌟

Personal Experience Essay Topics 📝

Selecting the right essay topic is key to crafting a compelling narrative. Here's how to pick one:

Personal Experience Argumentative Essay 🤨

Argumentative essays based on personal experiences require you to defend a viewpoint or argument. Here are ten intriguing topics:

• 1. Argue for or against the idea that personal experiences are the most influential factors shaping an individual's personality.
• 2. Defend your perspective on whether overcoming adversity through personal experiences builds stronger character.
• 3. Debate the impact of personal experiences on shaping one's political beliefs and values.
• 4. Argue for the significance of sharing personal experiences in order to promote empathy and understanding among diverse communities.
• 5. Defend the idea that personal experiences play a crucial role in career development and decision-making.
• 6. Debate the ethical implications of sharing deeply personal experiences in the era of social media and oversharing.
• 7. Argue for the therapeutic benefits of writing about and reflecting on personal experiences.
• 8. Defend your perspective on whether personal experiences should be a central part of school curricula.
• 9. Debate the influence of personal experiences on an individual's approach to health and wellness.
• 10. Argue for or against the notion that personal experiences can serve as catalysts for social change and activism.

Personal Experience Cause and Effect Essay 🤯

Cause and effect essays based on personal experiences explore the reasons behind events and their consequences. Here are ten topics to consider:

• 1. Analyze the causes and effects of a life-changing personal experience on your academic or career choices.
• 2. Examine how personal experiences can lead to personal growth, increased self-awareness, and improved well-being.
• 3. Investigate the effects of travel experiences on personal perspectives and cultural understanding.
• 4. Analyze the causes and consequences of sharing personal experiences with others, including its impact on relationships.
• 5. Examine how personal experiences can influence one's hobbies, interests, and leisure activities.
• 6. Investigate the impact of a significant personal experience on your family dynamics and relationships.
• 7. Analyze the causes of personal transformation through exposure to diverse cultures and environments.
• 8. Examine how personal experiences can shape one's attitude toward risk-taking and adventure.
• 9. Investigate the effects of sharing personal experiences through writing, art, or storytelling on your personal well-being.
• 10. Analyze the causes and consequences of personal experiences that challenge societal norms and expectations.

Personal Experience Opinion Essay 😌

Opinion essays based on personal experiences allow you to express your subjective viewpoints. Here are ten topics to consider:

• 1. Share your opinion on the importance of documenting personal experiences for future generations.
• 2. Discuss your perspective on whether personal experiences should be kept private or shared openly.
• 3. Express your thoughts on how personal experiences have shaped your sense of identity and self-worth.
• 4. Debate the significance of personal experiences in fostering empathy and compassion among individuals and communities.
• 5. Share your views on the role of personal experiences in building resilience and coping with life's challenges.
• 6. Discuss the impact of personal experiences on your approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
• 7. Express your opinion on the therapeutic benefits of writing or talking about personal experiences.
• 8. Debate the influence of personal experiences on your sense of purpose and life goals.
• 9. Share your perspective on how personal experiences can inspire creativity and artistic expression.
• 10. Discuss your favorite personal experience and the lessons or insights it has provided.

Personal Experience Informative Essay 🧐

Informative essays based on personal experiences aim to educate readers. Here are ten informative topics to explore:

• 1. Provide an in-depth analysis of the impact of a specific personal experience on your career choices and aspirations.
• 2. Explore the therapeutic benefits of journaling and writing about personal experiences for mental health and well-being.
• 3. Investigate the history and significance of storytelling as a means of preserving personal experiences and cultural heritage.
• 4. Analyze the connection between personal experiences and the development of emotional intelligence.
• 5. Examine the influence of personal experiences on decision-making processes and risk assessment.
• 6. Investigate the role of personal experiences in shaping cultural perceptions and worldviews.
• 7. Provide insights into the art of crafting compelling narratives based on personal experiences.
• 8. Analyze the impact of personal experiences on an individual's resilience and ability to adapt to change.
• 9. Examine how personal experiences can serve as valuable life lessons and sources of wisdom.
• 10. Investigate the therapeutic benefits of group discussions and support networks for individuals sharing similar personal experiences.

Personal Experience Essay Example 📄

Personal experience thesis statement examples 📜.

Here are five examples of strong thesis statements for your personal experience essay:

• 1. "Through the lens of personal experiences, we uncover the profound impact that seemingly ordinary moments can have on our lives, reshaping our perspectives and guiding our journeys."
• 2. "Personal experiences serve as powerful mirrors reflecting our growth, resilience, and capacity to navigate life's challenges, ultimately shaping the narratives of our existence."
• 3. "The sharing of personal experiences is an act of vulnerability and courage, fostering connections, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human condition."
• 4. "Our personal experiences are the brushstrokes on the canvas of our identity, influencing our choices, values, and the stories we tell ourselves and others."
• 5. "In exploring personal experiences, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, unlocking the untold stories that shape our uniqueness and enrich our shared human tapestry."

Personal Experience Essay Introduction Examples 🚀

Here are three captivating introduction paragraphs to kickstart your essay:

• 1. "Amid the chaos of everyday life, our personal experiences are the constellations that guide us, the moments that define us. As we embark on this essay journey into the depths of our own stories, we unravel the threads of our existence, each tale a testament to the power of the personal."
• 2. "Picture a canvas where the brushstrokes are the chapters of your life—a canvas waiting for you to paint your experiences, thoughts, and emotions. The personal experience essay is your opportunity to create a masterpiece that reflects the colors of your journey."
• 3. "In a world of noise and distractions, our personal experiences are the melodies that resonate within us. As we venture into the heart of this essay, we uncover the symphony of our lives—a composition of highs, lows, and the beauty in between."

Personal Experience Conclusion Examples 🌟

Conclude your essay with impact using these examples:

• 1. "As we close the chapter on this exploration of personal experiences, we are reminded that our stories are the threads that connect us all. The journey continues, and each experience, no matter how small, contributes to the tapestry of our shared humanity."
• 2. "In the final brushstroke of our personal experience essay, we recognize that our stories are not finite; they are ever-evolving, ever-inspiring. The canvas of life awaits, ready for us to create new narratives and continue shaping our destinies."
• 3. "As the echoes of our personal experiences linger, we stand at the intersection of past, present, and future. The essay's conclusion is but a pause in the symphony of our lives, with countless more notes to be played and stories to be written."

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Writing About Personal Experiences

Table of contents, introduction, what does it mean to write about personal experiences, what does it involve to write about your personal experiences, structure of an essay about your personal experiences, the process of writing about personal experiences, 1. preparation:, 2. drafting:, 3. revising, editing, and final draft:, general tips for writing the perfect narrative of your personal experience, topics about personal experience narrative, sample personal experience narrative.

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How to Write a Personal Growth Essay: Examples + Tips

By Eric Eng

Have you ever had an experience that completely changed how you see yourself or the world? Maybe it was a challenge you didn’t expect or something that pushed you out of your comfort zone. These are the kinds of experiences that personal growth essays are all about.

Writing a good personal growth essay is one of the best ways to stand out during the admissions process. You need to tell real stories that show your personality, your drive, and what you’ve learned along the way. Let’s go over some examples and tips to help you write a personal growth essay that feels both authentic and compelling.

Personal Growth Essay Examples

How to start a personal growth essay, frequently asked questions.

In a personal growth essay, you need to show how specific experiences have shaped you.  Aside from looking at your grades, colleges also want to understand how you’ve grown as a person. Here are a few detailed examples of personal growth topics you can use in your essay:

Overcoming academic challenges

A lot of students write about how they’ve overcome academic struggles in their personal growth essays. Maybe you failed a test or found a subject really difficult. Instead of giving up, you worked harder—maybe through tutoring, extra studying, or asking for help from your teacher. This kind of story shows colleges that you’re resilient and that you can bounce back from challenges.

For instance, you could talk about how you bombed your first chemistry test, but instead of letting it defeat you, you set a goal to improve. You might write about how you managed to go from a D to an A by the end of the year. This type of example highlights your determination and shows that you’re willing to put in the effort to succeed, even when things get tough. A story like this can make a compelling personal growth essay.

Developing leadership skills

Another great example for a personal growth essay is learning to be a leader. Maybe you took on a leadership role in a club or on a sports team and learned a lot from that experience. You could write about how, at first, you were unsure of yourself, but over time, you figured out how to communicate with your team and lead them to success.

You could also share how you led your debate team during a state championship. At first, managing conflicts between team members was tricky, but by the end of the season, you had figured out how to keep everyone on the same page and motivated. This type of essay shows colleges that you’re capable of growth and that you can step up when needed.

Adjusting to new environments

Moving to a new city or school can be a great example of personal growth. Many students write about how being in a new place forced them to adapt and become more independent. You can talk about how this big change helped you build resilience and confidence in yourself.

For instance, maybe you moved to a new high school during your junior year, which wasn’t easy at first. You didn’t know anyone, and being away from your friends and familiar teachers was tough. But over time, you stepped out of your comfort zone, made new friends, joined some activities, and built a new support system. This example shows colleges that you can handle change and grow from it.

Learning from failure in extracurriculars

Personal growth can also happen outside of the classroom, especially in extracurriculars. Maybe you were on a sports team or in the school play and experienced a big failure, like losing an important game or missing out on a role you really wanted. Instead of letting it bring you down, you worked harder, practiced more, and eventually succeeded.

You could write about losing your first big tennis match. But instead of quitting, you practiced every day, learned from your mistakes, and came back to win the regional championship the next season. This kind of story works well for a personal growth essay as it shows your determination and ability to bounce back, two qualities that colleges love to see in applicants.

Personal growth through volunteer work

Volunteer work is another area where you might have experienced personal growth. Maybe working with a local charity opened your eyes to some big social issues and made you more aware of the world around you. You could reflect on how volunteering helped you become more compassionate and engaged with your community.

For example, if you spent time volunteering at a food bank, you could talk about how it taught you the importance of empathy and helping others. Maybe it even inspired you to take further action, like organizing a fundraiser or starting a community service project. This would be an excellent story for a personal growth essay because it shows colleges that you’ve grown in terms of social awareness and that you’re motivated to make a difference.

Getting started with a personal growth essay can feel like the hardest part. You need to hook the reader, introduce your story, and set the tone for the rest of the essay. The first few sentences are crucial in making a good impression. Let’s break down each step of starting your essay with clear tips and examples to make the process easier.

1. Choose a focused topic.

The first step in starting your essay is choosing a specific experience that shows personal growth. You don’t want to cover too much ground. Focus on one event or experience that had a significant impact on you. This will give you enough room to get into the details without overwhelming the reader.

For example, instead of writing about your growth over four years of high school, you could focus on one key moment, like when you learned to manage your time between academics and sports. Narrowing your topic gives your personal growth essay more focus and makes it easier to write.

2. Focus on deeper themes.

A lot of students think they’ll impress admissions officers by listing their accomplishments or detailing wins in sports or volunteer work. But that’s not the point. Colleges aren’t just looking for a list of activities—they want to know who you are as a person.

Your personal growth essay should explore deeper themes like personal realizations, changes in perspective, or lessons learned from adversity. For example, instead of just saying you won a soccer game, write about how that win helped you grow as a person, a friend, or a leader.

Connect your experiences to how they shaped your educational journey or future aspirations. What did you learn about yourself? How did these moments shape who you are today? Admissions officers want to know what drives you and how you’ve become the person you are now. This is the deeper level they’re looking for in essays about your personal development.

3. Start with a hook.

A strong opening is important. You want to grab the reader’s attention right away. One way to do this is by starting with a hook—something that draws them in. This could be a question, a bold statement, or a surprising fact. For example:

• “I never thought failing a math test could change my life, but it did.”
• “It only took one conversation with my debate coach to realize I had a lot to learn about leadership.”
• “At 16, I moved to a new city, not knowing a single person. It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

These hooks create curiosity and make the reader want to learn more. A good hook sets the stage for the rest of your personal growth essay and gets your reader interested in your story.

4. Set the scene.

After your hook, you need to set the stage for your story. Describe the situation you were in and why it was important. Be specific about the time, place, and circumstances. This helps your reader understand the context of your personal growth and connects them to your experience.

For example, if you’re writing about a difficult academic challenge, explain what was happening in your life at the time:

“It was the middle of my sophomore year, and I was struggling in chemistry. No matter how hard I studied, I couldn’t seem to pass my tests. I was frustrated, embarrassed, and unsure of how to move forward.”

This type of detail makes your essay feel personal and relatable.

5. Show the stakes.

Next, explain why the situation mattered to you. What was at stake? Why was this a moment of personal growth? You don’t need to spell everything out, but hinting at the bigger picture will keep the reader engaged.

For example:

“If I didn’t find a way to improve my chemistry grade, I would have lost my scholarship. I had to figure out how to turn things around.”

Showing the stakes helps readers understand why the experience was significant. It also makes them more invested in your story.

6. Reflect on your initial feelings.

Before getting into how you grew, take a moment to reflect on how you felt at the beginning of the experience. Were you scared? Unsure of yourself? Confident but later humbled? Letting the reader see your emotional state adds depth to your essay and makes your growth more compelling.

For instance, you could write:

“At first, I thought I had everything under control. I was used to getting good grades, so failing a test was a huge shock. I started to doubt myself and question if I was even cut out for the subject.”

These reflections make your personal growth essay feel more honest and relatable.

7. Introduce the turning point.

Now that you’ve set the scene and explained the stakes, it’s time to introduce the turning point—the moment when things started to change. This could be a conversation you had, a realization you came to, or an action you took that led to personal growth.

“After my third failed chemistry test, I decided to stop trying to figure it out on my own. I asked my teacher for extra help and started attending after-school tutoring sessions. Slowly but surely, I started to understand the material.”

8. End your introduction with a transition.

After establishing context, you’re ready to get into the main part of your essay, which is how you grew. Wrap up your introduction with a smooth transition that sets up the rest of the essay.

“What started as a huge academic struggle turned into one of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned about persistence and hard work. Here’s how it all unfolded.”

This transition sets the reader up for the main body of your personal growth essay, where you’ll explain how you grew and what you learned.

9. End your essay with a “kicker.”

Finally, end your essay with a “kicker.” In journalism, a kicker is a punchy final line or paragraph that leaves a lasting impression. It wraps everything up in a neat, memorable way and makes the reader feel satisfied with your essay.

“What did I learn from failing that test? It wasn’t just how to study better. It was how to accept failure and move forward—and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

A strong ending can leave a powerful impact. This way, admission officers will remember your essay. While a great essay can’t guarantee admission, it might just tip the scales in your favor when colleges are choosing between candidates with similar grades and backgrounds.

1. What are some examples of personal growth essays?

Personal growth essays often focus on significant life experiences that led to personal development. These could include overcoming academic challenges, developing leadership skills, adjusting to a new environment, or learning from failure. For example, you might write about how failing a test pushed you to develop better study habits. The key is to reflect on how these experiences shaped your character.

2. What should I include in a personal development essay?

A personal development or growth essay focuses on the experiences that have contributed to your growth as an individual. It’s important to show the progression of your thoughts, actions, and emotions. Rather than just listing accomplishments or activities, focus on moments where you faced challenges and had to develop new skills, adopt new perspectives, or reflect on your beliefs.

3. How long should my personal growth essay be?

When thinking about how to start a personal essay and its length, it’s important to follow the guidelines of the application you’re working on. For instance, the Common App suggests a word limit of 650 words. Keep your essay focused and concise. Admissions officers want to get a clear sense of your story without being bogged down by unnecessary details.

4. How do I choose a topic for my personal growth essay?

To choose a topic, think about moments that had a significant impact on you. Consider experiences where you learned something new about yourself, overcame a challenge, or changed your perspective. Personal growth essay examples could include anything from a difficult academic experience to a transformative volunteering opportunity. The key is to select a story that reveals how you’ve developed as a person.

• Your personal growth essay should focus on the experiences that really shaped who you are. Think about big moments like academic challenges, leadership roles, or even failures that helped you grow. Pick one specific event to get into.
• Start strong by grabbing the reader’s attention with a hook. Then, set the scene by explaining the context of your story—when, where, and why it was important. Make sure to show what was at stake and why the experience mattered to you.
• Reflection is everything. Talk about how you felt before the experience and how your mindset changed as you went through it. Whether you learned to handle failure, became a better leader, or built resilience, explain how you grew.
• Wrap it up with a solid “kicker.” Your ending should not only tie the story together but leave the reader with a clear sense of how you’re ready for what’s next.
• Can’t figure out how to make your personal growth essay stand out? A college admissions consultant can help you turn your experiences into a powerful story that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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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 30, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/write-about-yourself/

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