Historically, red is a very impactful color. In Western cultures, red symbolizes excitement, energy, passion, action, love, and danger. In Asian cultures, it symbolizes good luck, joy, prosperity, celebration, happiness, and a long life. On the other hand, some countries in Africa associate red with death, and in Nigeria it represents aggression and vitality. So, which meaning of red depicts the true you? Are you passionate? Lucky? Spiritual? Energetic? Dangerous?

With the rise in the use of technology, there has been a steady shift to digital editing and editors now use track changes and comments. The red pencil of yesteryear forced one to pause and consider the change and, while more environmentally friendly and efficient, digital editing doesn’t illicit the same reaction.

Students often find it hard to revise their writing. What they need are suggestions to guide them along the process to creating an essay that highlights their voice and personality. It doesn’t matter whether they are telling the admissions counselor about the first time they won in a track meet, the club they started, or the time they failed miserably with a school project. In the end, when it comes to their college essay, it’s not about being “red” but rather about being “read” And that’s where I can help.