As this school year ends, I’m sure the thought of the dreaded college essay has already started to haunt some juniors’ minds. As someone who spent a lot of time on theirs, here are some tips to streamline your process.

Here’s some basic information: before you start, make sure to download the Common App. That’s where you’ll be uploading your college essay and applying to most (if not all) of your colleges. The Common App has seven essay prompts every admissions cycle. Your essay will need to be between 250-650 words, as per the limits. 

Tips for writing:

• Start early. The more time you have to edit, the better (trust me, you’ll need to do a lot more editing than you think). I recommend starting the summer before your senior year so you’re not as distracted by school. 
• Start your brainstorming by listing things you could write about, like hobbies, traits, or events. You don’t even have to pick a prompt at first. The seventh prompt is the prompt equivalent of a get-out-of-jail-free card where you can write about whatever, so don’t feel confined by the limits set by the Common App.
• Read a bunch of other peoples’ essays. If you search for “college essay,” a million results show up. It’s important to note what people did well and what they struggled with. It’s also an easy source of inspiration and you can note what cliches to avoid. 
• Send your essay to a bunch of people: your mom, friends, English teacher, literally anyone. The more eyes who see it, the better. There are also people who professionally look at college essays if you are willing to spend a bit of money. 

All in all, my best advice is to break it down into smaller chunks while writing. Your college essay won’t seem like such a monumental task if you take it step by step. No matter what you decide to write about, good luck!