The F-Word That Will Transform Your Essays: Why Fun is Your Secret Weapon for College Admissions
This week's newsletter challenges the conventional wisdom that college essay brainstorming must be serious and stressful. Research shows our brains are 31% more productive and significantly more creative when we're in a positive state, yet students force themselves to suffer through the process. Key Insight: Using playful frameworks (like Avatar character archetypes, Marvel heroes, or K-pop groups) helps students bypass their inner critic and discover authentic stories they wouldn't find through traditional brainstorming. This Week's Action: Try 20 minutes of "ridiculous" brainstorming using any fun framework that excites you. Write in your real voice, collect moments without judgment, and build a database of authentic experiences before deadline pressure hits.