Mom and Dad

You may find that banking ideas for essays only leads to your own two cents. So use some other resources. Your guidance counselor will have thoughts to share. A favorite teacher will give you a few minutes of brainstorming. And as painful as it might seem, your parent(s) are logical resources at this moment, as well.

You’ve been thinking a lot about yourself recently. They’ve been thinking a lot about you for always 20 years. If you have anything like a working relationship with them--and maybe this is a good time to try to improve that relationship if you don’t-- they should be ready, willing, and more than able to tell you what your strengths are. They will remember some stories and incidents that show you at your best, too.

Don’t ask for strengths and weaknesses. In fact, if the conversation veers toward things you’ve done wrong and ought to have accomplished, head for the exit. You don’t need to be reminded you haven’t won a Nobel Prize recently. But if they would like to conjure up some of the times you were amazing or a list of talents and personal characteristics they admire in you, take notes and see if there are “legs” for any of their ideas.

Note: don’t plan to write about the long ago recollections. Learning to ride a bicycle or your first pet fish is too remote. But the tenacity you showed or the care and attention you brought to something in first grade probably has a parallel from last semester. Stay current and stay positive (and try to remember that your parents want the best for you).