When I first approached the Common App essay, I was totally overwhelmed. I kept thinking I needed to have an epic hook or a life-changing moment to start it off. But that just added to my stress and writer's block.
Eventually, I decided to drop the pressure and wrote a super simple draft. I just wrote out my story as if I were chatting with a friend. No fancy introductions or dramatic phrasing—just me telling my tale.
After I got those thoughts down, I went back and picked out a line or two that really stood out or had some energy. That’s how I finally found my opening sentence! It felt so much more authentic and less forced. Seriously, if you're stuck on how to start your Common App essay, try this approach!