Hey everyone, I've grown up as a military child and I really want to reflect that in my college essays. The constant moving and adapting to new environments has definitely shaped me. Any tips or frameworks to use when writing about this?
When writing about your upbringing as a military child, you may want to go beyond the surface-level challenges you faced, such as moving constantly and making new friends, to delve into deeper life lessons and personal changes. This could include developing skills, learning to adapt, or understanding the world from a broad perspective. Here's a general approach you may find useful:
1. Introduce your background: Start by providing context on your background as a military child. This could include how many times you've moved, the range of locations you've lived in, or any uniquely military experiences you've had (such as having a parent deployed).
2. Outline Challenges and Growth: You've already mentioned the constant moving and adapting to new environments. Explore how these challenges influenced your adaptability, resilience, independence, and ability to connect with a diverse range of people.
3. Present Personal Transformation or Growth: Rather than merely describing the experiences, focus more on how they molded you. For instance, the multicultural experience could have cultivated an open mind and appreciation for diversity. Exploring new environments and cultures might have developed your adaptability and fed your intellect with plural perspectives.
4. Tie Your Experiences to College Goals: Next, connect your upbringing to your future college and career goals. For instance, if your varied experiences have led towards a major in international relations, explain that. Or, if the constant change and need to adapt have fostered a love for problem-solving and you're wanting to go into engineering, make that connection clear.
5. Express Reflection and Gratitude: Show a mature perspective by expressing gratitude for the unique opportunities and lessons your lifestyle has afforded you, even amidst the challenges.
Remember, an effective essay is deeply personal and reflects significant understanding, growth, and self-awareness, which this topic certainly provides an opportunity for. Make sure that you maintain a positive and proactive tone throughout, focusing on the strengths you have gained from these experiences rather than lingering on the difficulties.
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