Adrian - Essay Brainstorming Exercises - 5 Activities and Final Application

Aug 25, 2026

A writing worksheet for developing an admissions or personal essay through structured self-reflection. It guides the user through five brainstorming activities: listing “essence objects,” selecting and ranking core values, filling out “21 details” about experiences and quirks, and drafting content for a list of what colleges should know, with instructions to record answers directly. The exercises encourage fun, focus, and clear preparation for the first writing session and later application work.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

The Essence Objects Exercise

The Values Exercise

Values Exercise: Top 5 and Top 3

21 Details

The Top 10 Things I Want Colleges To Know About Me

Adrian’s Essay Brainstorming Exercises Welcome! This document contains five brainstorming exercises that will serve as the basis for the first session and the rest of your writing. Please take some time to complete these before our first meeting. You can complete all the work directly on this document. Feel free to complete them on pen and paper first and record your results here after. Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted, put on some music, and have fun! Ready? Let’s begin. The Essence Objects Exercise Instructions: Click here to start the Objects Exercise. Record your results below. | My Essence Objects List | | --- | | 1. Chipped Reed(s)
2. Fish Legs
3. Tacos (asada and pastor)
4. Toothpaste
5. Controllers
6. Scratching pole (Aka my legs)
7. Bookshelf
8. Water Polo ball (Blue berry)
9. Goggles tied together
10. Blue Heron
11. Full set of dragon balls
12. Broken frying pan
13. Atlas Shrugged
14. Rom coms
15. Curly Hair
16. Rulers and Compasses
17. Clickers
18. Tangled ties and cables
19. Dusk/Dawn
20. Origami Stars | The Values Exercise Instructions: Highlight and bold the 10 values you connect with most from the list below. Of those 10, underline your top 5. Finally, italicize your top 3. Then scroll down to the next activity. (Download a printable copy of the values list here.) | o community
o inspiration
o money
o intellectual status
o financial gain
o laughter
o serenity
o physical challenge
o responsibility
o competition
o career
o fame
o working with others
o freedom
o security
o strength
o self-control
o hunger
o personal development
o trust
o faith
o involvement
o adventure
o vulnerability
o adaptability
o friendship
o excellence
ojob tranquility
o power
o passion
o cooperation
o affection
o wisdom o o | o challenges
o commitment
o leadership
o helping others
o influence
o wit
o success
o patience
o listening
o diversity
o love
o fast-paced work
o nutrition
o competence
o practicality
o creativity
o excitement
o collaboration
o social change
o beauty
o ecological awareness
o quality relationships
o travel
o decisiveness
o curiosity
o spirituality
o loyalty
o honesty
o independence
o supervising others
o recognition
o accountability
o democracy o o | o self expression
o stability
o art
o autonomy
o risk
o balance
o self-discipline
o courage
o family
o empathy
o working alone
o humility
o efficiency
o intensity
o health and fitness
o meaningful work
o my country
o music
o truth
o resourcefulness
o respect
o bravery
o communication
o change and variety
o compassion
o nature
o expertise
o order
o privacy
o close relationships
o religion
o knowledge
o growth o o | | --- | --- | --- | Values Exercise: Top 5 Top 3 \#1 1. Hunger Autonomy Autonomy 2. Growth Hunger Balance Hunger 3. Autonomy Balance Hunger 4. Balance Curiosity 5. Self-Discipline Self-Discipline 6. Patience 7. Curiosity 8. Leadership 9. Competition 10. Vulnerability 21 Details Instructions: Click here to begin the activity. Record your answers below. | My 21 Details | | --- | | 1. I’m a sucker for romantic movies like The Notebook and I’m overdue for arewatching of it.
2. I tend to overlook my victories and accomplishments by hastingly setting even higher goals.
3. I used to read so much it became dangerous. I would even read while walking and climbing stairs
4. As much as I say I love Disney, I’ve never watched any Lion king movie
5. I have an unexplainable disturbance with starbucks
6. Although I play various musical instruments, namely the oboe and saxophone, I cannot sight read
7. ‘Jupiter Bringer of Jollity’ is my favorite planet in Gus

FAQs

What is the purpose of these brainstorming exercises?

To provide five guided brainstorming activities that become the foundation for the first writing session and the rest of the essay/app work.

How do I complete the Values exercise?

Highlight and bold 10 values you connect with most, then underline your top 5 and italicize your top 3 before moving to the next activity.

What should be recorded in the “21 Details” section?

Write 21 personal details, experiences, traits, and reflections in the provided list format.

What information does the college-focused list ask for?

It asks for the top items you want colleges to know about you, with answers recorded below so you can later decide how to include them in your application.

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin