written by Lily McIntyre

With most (virtual) graduations in full swing, we start to look forward to the rising seniors who will be in a cap and gown a year from now, all of their hard work towards school and college/job applications having finally paid off. However, all graduates will tell you that it can be a long road to get to that point. The college application process can seem to be a daunting one, especially when coming up with your personal statement. Based on my own experience and my friends’ experiences, I can tell you firsthand that it takes a weight off of your shoulders if you write a rough draft of your college essay sooner rather than later. Even if you re-read your essay later and cringe, or decide to make lots of revisions, and it doesn’t matter. You’ll already be done with the hardest part: starting. Social distancing may be a pain in many ways, but you can actually use it to your advantage this time. It’s not very often that you’re left with little to do but think! Use this time as an opportunity to reflect on your past experiences and what you’ve learned from them. 
Want some tips for your essay? Here are 3 ideas that might be useful for brainstorming:

1. Leave your inner critic behind. A lot of college essay writers have trouble coming up with an idea because they immediately judge themselves for not being “interesting” enough. In reality, the actual subject matter isn’t as important as how you convey you through it. Don’t believe me? My college essay was about the word game Bananagrams and I got into some great schools! Stay true to you and it will be enough.
2. Use your opening sentence to hook your reader. Just like how your teachers might instruct you in English class, it’s so important that the first sentence of your college essay grabs the reader’s attention immediately. Sometimes, this can be done through an action word (e.g. “Wham!”) or through a unique quotation that gives readers an inside look at the story you’re about to tell.
3. Don’t shy away from some of those “not my finest moment” stories. College admissions officers look for a number of things in each applicant’s essay, especially personal growth. If you can show (not tell) how you’ve developed and matured from the beginning of your personal statement to the end, that lets the college admissions officers know that you’re more than capable of thriving at their school and growing even more.

Like I said before, the college admission process is definitely daunting at first. But really, it’s a checklist of multiple smaller tasks to form your whole application. If you can check off the personal statement part sooner rather than later, it can save you a lot of potential stress down the road. ​

Looking for a fresh set of eyes to look over your essay or someone to brainstorm with? Lucent Education offers essay revision services that tailor to each student’s individual needs. Whether you’re applying to an undergraduate, graduate, or MBA program, Lucent is committed to helping you showcase the best, most genuine you. For more details on our services, click this link: https://www.lucenteducation.com/store/c5/college-gradschool-services.

written by Lily McIntyre

​Staying mindful and present amidst the uncertainty relating to the pandemic’s impact on career and education-related opportunities is more important than ever. Mindfulness, otherwise known as focusing on the present moment, is “not the answer to all of life's problems. Rather, it is that all life's problems can be seen more clearly through the lens of a clear mind” (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). If school, career, or any life-related stress is taking a toll on you, here are three easy tips that can boost your mindfulness experience:
MyLife Meditation app: If you’re new to meditation, check out this free app for quick and effective guided exercises to tap into your feelings in a healthy way.

Four Square Breathing: If you’re feeling especially anxious, “Four Square Breathing” is a great grounding tool that lowers both psychological and physiological stress.

1. Inhale deeply for four seconds.
2. Hold your breath for four seconds.
3. Exhale deeply for four seconds.
4. Hold your (lack of) breath for four seconds.
5. Repeat this process 3 more times. As you do, try to focus solely on your breath and block out any intruding thoughts.

Exercise: Yes, the idea of exercise might seem annoying! But if you’re able to, even taking a walk or run outside for a half an hour a day is a great tool to clear your head and focus on the present moment.
 
​We at Lucent Education hope that these tools make this uncertain time a little bit easier to navigate. We are committed to supporting our clients in any way we can, and hope that everyone is staying safe, healthy, and present during these times.