Hi! I'm a pre-law student interested in business and the environment.
I initially believed that only those with Valedictorian-level grades and national-level awards could get into top colleges, but I realized it's actually about representing your unique perspectives and enthusiasm truthfully.
I 'planned-procrastinated' by exposing myself to the prompts early on, then let my brain randomly generate ideas during conversations or before sleep, which I would then quickly record.
I wouldn't have rushed my application to my then-first choice, Yale, just to meet an early deadline; I submitted work that wasn't my best, and I learned more from my reflection after being deferred.
I learned to recognize when I was no longer being productive. Instead of pushing through a mental block, I'd take a breather, talk to a friend, or eat good food to return with a freshened mind.