At first glance, this expression seems to be a blessing. In reality it is an old curse (i.e., uninteresting = peace and tranquility). I think we can all agree that the times in which we are currently living can definitely be considered “interesting.”

In fact, these times are also tailored to question #2 of the 2020-2021 Common Application Essay prompts—”The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

Everyone has to overcome obstacles. They could be something as significant as a cancer diagnosis, growing up in a poor neighborhood, or the death of a favorite relative. Or, they could be what some people would term first-world problems — being cut from the travel sports team or not being able to buy that super trendy sneaker. This reminds me of an old Zen proverb: “Obstacles do not block the path, they are the path.” It’s not important which obstacle you overcome, it’s how you do it and what you learn that sets you apart — and that is what a college admissions staff wants to know. 

That’s where I can help. I can help your children craft their ideas into a relatable story that can set them apart.