My Hardest Academic Challenge
Write a personal essay reflecting on your most challenging academic experience. Describe the setbacks, your process of overcoming them, and what you learned about yourself through this experience.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Find one surprising fact and build around it.
- Use one example from your own life.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
Writing essays
A mind at work, one subject at a time.
An essay collection gathers short nonfiction pieces: personal, critical, funny or all three. What ties them together is the writer's voice and way of seeing.
What readers expect
- A distinctive voice
- Personal stakes
- Surprising connections
- Pieces that stand alone
A tip before you start
Follow a question, not a thesis. The pleasure of an essay is watching someone think.
More Study Aids and Text Prep prompts
- From Flashcards to Learning AppsWrite an essay exploring the evolution of study aids from traditional textbooks and flashcards to digital platforms and apps. Analyze how these tools…
- Preparing for High-Stakes ExamsCreate a detailed guide on effective techniques for preparing for high-stakes exams. Include tips on time management, mental preparation, and the best…
- The Evolution of Digital Study AidsExplore the evolution of digital study aids, from basic flashcards to advanced apps and online platforms. Critique the effectiveness of various…
- Standardized Test StrategiesDevelop a comprehensive guide for tackling standardized tests, including test-taking strategies, time management tips, and ways to manage test…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
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