How to Answer the Essay Prompt "Describe a Challenge You Overcame"

How To Answer Tough College Essay Prompts

Late fall is officially college admissions season! Some students have already sent in their early decision applications and are working hard on those regular decision deadlines, which means it may be time to work on your essays.

These essays from the Common App , Coalition App , or your prospective school’s specific format can vary in topic, and you may get to choose what you write about. But no matter the school or set of schools to which you’re applying, you will likely come across a version of the “Describe a Challenge You Overcame” or “Overcoming a Challenge” essay prompt.

For some people, the answer to this could be evident. But if you have no idea what to write about, the first rule is:

Don’t panic

So many students are plagued with questions like: What if I’ve never overcome an obstacle? Is my life boring? What if I have nothing to write about, and the admissions officers hate me? What if they judge me for what I've been through?

Deep breath.

All of these fears are normal, but everyone has overcome some sort of challenge or obstacle, whether small or completely overwhelming. By being authentic to yourself, yours will be compelling to readers and help them get to know the kind of student you are now and will be at their college or university.

You will need more than panicking to help you write an essay. Remember that everyone has something valuable to say, and the obstacle you choose will matter less than your ability to write about it and highlight your resilience.

Brainstorm an authentic but impactful challenge

The first thing you'll need to do is think through some challenges you’ve faced . 

A challenge can be as seemingly simple as learning to trust yourself after a failure in school or an extracurricular activity or as complicated as overcoming significant discrimination and prejudice.

You had to overcome a specific fear to succeed at an activity you love. You may have had to rebuild your life after losing a relative. Maybe your family moved, which shook up your life. Or, receiving one terrible grade or criticism led you to change your outlook on life and motivated you to work harder than ever.

Whatever the obstacle you face (no inventing, please), it should be impactful.

That means thinking of a challenge that changed something about you. As a result of overcoming this obstacle, you should have learned significant lessons about yourself or the world around you and made changes in your life.

Colleges and universities want to know what traits you possess that will help you succeed in college and your future career, so the obstacle you choose to share should have helped you develop one of your defining traits. They will care more about your reaction to this challenge, how it shaped you, and how you articulate it than what the problem was in the first place.

Generally, the obstacle you choose to share should also be pretty recent or have had a current impact on your life, rather than a challenge that happened when you were very young that doesn’t impact you today.

Begin at the end

The opening sentence of your essay about overcoming a challenge should be compelling and make the reader want to continue. It can be tempting to tell the story chronologically, but it can sometimes be adequate to start with the ending or a positive memory.

So, think about when you overcame your challenge or realized that you had improved after facing an obstacle. You might even share a moment when you realized your chosen barrier significantly. Recount this moment as your introductory hook in some way.

You can even preview the lessons you learned in your introduction. That way, readers already know that you will share what you’ve learned rather than just share a story recounting a terrible moment or difficult challenge in your life. This can also make them want to keep reading to see how you got to that place.

Share context about the situation but make it brief

You want the reader to learn about you and your challenges rather than overdoing it in detail. They don't need to know every step of the process or every player in the story.

Of course, you should share the context behind what happened to you that challenged you and changed your life or perspective, but you should not dwell too much on the details. Provide only the ‘need to know’ moments and how they led to changes in your life.

With this kind of essay, readers want to know less about what happened and more about what you learned due to your experience.

Focus on what you learned

Your reflection about what you learned due to your experience should be your primary focus within your essay. This section will help readers understand how you’ve changed after facing your challenge or obstacle to become the stellar student you are today. It can also show the maturity and self-reflection colleges may seek in a student.

By sharing lessons learned in this type of essay, you also share how you will contribute to any college campus with your newly acquired traits and perspectives.

If you had to move from one city to another, perhaps you learned to be flexible or met new friends who helped you discover your fascination with science and technology. If you faced bullying, maybe you learned how to respect yourself without outside validation and gained resilience. Whatever the challenge, the lessons associated with overcoming it are most important.

Share actions you took as a result of overcoming the challenge

To help readers understand how you overcame the challenge and how the lessons you learned tangibly affected your life, you should also consider your actions after overcoming your obstacle.

For example, if you witnessed discrimination at school, you could have founded an anti-bullying campaign or student organization. If you lost a family member to a specific disease, you may have volunteered with an organization to help fund research for a cure.

Remember, all of this information needs to be authentic to your experience. Even the most minor actions can be impactful. So, truth is always best, even if you just learned to treat your family better or significantly improve your grades after facing this obstacle.

Connect the lessons you learned to your future

Finally, you can strengthen your response even more by connecting the lessons you learned and actions you took with your future goals.

Think about how you will show up in college after facing this challenge. And consider how you are better equipped now to achieve your future goals because of the lessons you learned. You can then tie this into how attending each college will help you reach those goals.

Seek support!

Admissions officers should never be the first people to read your essay. Get help from a teacher or college counselor, your parents or guardians, an online college essay writing site like Prompt , or fellow scholars like other NSHSS members   before you hit "submit." 

Have them read your essay and provide you with constructive feedback about content and structure. If you're stuck, you can ask for some "overcoming an obstacle" essay examples or ideas from those who know you well.

Then, submit your essay and enjoy that feeling of accomplishment!

Answering the essay prompt "Describe a Challenge You Overcame" offers a unique opportunity to showcase your resilience, growth, and problem-solving skills. By focusing on the specifics of the challenge, the steps you took to overcome it, and the lessons you learned, you'll answer the prompt effectively and make a lasting impression on the admissions team.

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Overcoming Academic Challenges: A Guide for College & University Students

From effective studying to budgeting and time management, it’s normal for students to feel overwhelmed. Learning how to set realistic goals and take breaks is key for physical and mental health. It’s important not to be afraid to ask for help when needed and to take advantage of different student services available on campus.

In this blog, we’ll aim to break down the process of thriving in college and university and look at how to overcome academic challenges.

Why Struggling in College or University Is Normal and How to Overcome It

If you’re struggling in college or university, don’t worry—you’re not alone. In fact, it’s normal to struggle at some point during your academic career. The important thing is to find ways to overcome your challenges and succeed in spite of them.

Here are some tips to help you beat the struggle and succeed in college or university:

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling with a particular subject or assignment, reach out to your professor or a tutor for help. Don’t try to tough it out on your own – getting some extra help can make all the difference.

Stay organized and on top of your work. One of the best ways to avoid struggle is to stay ahead of it. Keep a close eye on your assignments and deadlines, and make sure you’re staying on top of your work. A little bit of planning can go a long way.

Take care of yourself. It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Make sure you’re eating right, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks when you need them. Taking care of yourself will help you stay focused and motivated, even when things get tough.

Many students in higher education struggle with academic challenges, such as:

  • Getting used to a new setting (life on campus).
  • Time management.
  • Achieving goals (or setting them).
  • Managing stress.
  • Asking for help, and more.

If you’re struggling in college or university, don’t despair—there are ways to overcome your challenges and succeed in spite of them. By following these tips, you can beat the struggle and achieve your academic goals.

Transitioning to University Life

It’s no secret that transitioning to university life can be a challenge. But with a little planning and some helpful advice, you can make the transition with ease. Here are a few tips to help you beat the struggle:

First, get organized. Make a list of all the things you need to do before classes start, such as buying textbooks and supplies and set aside time each day to complete these tasks. This will help you stay on top of things and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Second, reach out and get to know who can help, especially if you find yourself in a new town far away from home . Get to know your professors. Introduce yourself during their office hours or after class. They can be a great resource for information and advice, and they’ll be more likely to remember you when it comes time for grades.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of resources on campus, such as tutoring centers and writing labs that can help you with your academic challenges. Be sure to attend student support center events. Many help you transition to higher education with ease. Don’t hesitate to seek out help when you need it.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to a successful transition into university life.

Effective Studying: Develop Your Routine

Getting good grades in higher ed can be tough, but there are some fool-proof ways to overcome academic challenges. The first thing to nail is effective studying skills. You need to find a study method that works for you and stick to it. Whether that means studying in short bursts throughout the day or cramming everything in the night before, find what works and stick to it.

Another key to success is to stay organized. Keep a planner and write down all of your upcoming assignments and tests. If the school has online tools and resources to help with this, use them. This will help you track everything and make sure you don’t miss anything.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. There are plenty of resources on campus that can help you if you’re struggling with a class. Talk to your professor, student services, and even a tutor or learning center if you need extra help.

Time Management: Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Time

If you feel like you’re struggling to keep up with your workload, you’re not alone. Time management is a skill that takes practice to become perfect. But once you’ve mastered it, it can make a difference in your academic success. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Make a schedule and stick to it

One of the best ways to become more efficient with your time is to plan out your days in advance. Sit down at the start of each week and map out what you need to do. Then, block out time in your schedule for each task. Be realistic about how long each task will take, and don’t forget to factor in time for breaks. Once you’ve created your schedule, do your best to stick to it.

Break down big projects into smaller tasks

When you’re staring at a huge project, it can be overwhelming and tempting to procrastinate. But if you break the project down into smaller tasks, it will seem much more manageable. Plus, you’ll be able to celebrate each time you complete a small task, which will motivate you to keep going.

Use a timer

If you find yourself getting distracted, try using a timer. Set it for a specific amount of time that you want to work, and then focus on your task until the timer goes off. Once the timer goes off, take a short break before setting it again. This technique can help you stay focused and make better use of your time.

Cut distractions

When you’re trying to focus on a task, cut anything that might distract you. That means putting away your phone, closing out of social media, and finding a quiet place to work. By eliminating distractions, you’ll be able to focus on what you’re doing and get it done faster.

Take care of yourself

It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally if you want to be successful in college. That means getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and taking breaks when you need them. When your mind and body are well-rested and nourished, you’ll be able to think clearly and focus on your studies.

Setting Goals: How to Set Realistic Goals and Achieve Them

Setting goals is a great way to stay on track and motivated in college. However, it can be difficult to set realistic goals that you will actually achieve. Here are a few tips to help you set realistic goals and achieve them:

Set specific and achievable goals. This means that you define your goals, and they are realistic. For example, rather than setting a goal to “get better grades,” try setting a goal to “raise your GPA by 5 this semester.”

Make a plan of action. Once you have set your goal, it is important to make a plan for how you will achieve it. This may include making a study schedule, meeting with your professor, or joining a study group.

Set a deadline. Having a deadline for your goal will help you stay on track and motivated to achieve it. Make sure that your deadline is realistic, and give yourself some wiggle room in case you need it.

Hold yourself accountable. One of the best ways to achieve your goal is to hold yourself accountable for it. This may mean keeping a journal of your progress. Set up a weekly check-in with yourself. You can find an accountability partner, student advisor, or tutor to help you with this.

Be flexible. Life happens and sometimes our best-laid plans fall through. If this happens, adjust your plan and keep working towards your goal.

Attending university is an exciting time. It can also be tough to stick to a budget, but it’s worth it in the long run.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when budgeting for school. First, make sure you have a realistic understanding of your income and expenses. Second, create a budget that you can stick to. And third, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

There are a lot of resources available to help you with budgeting for school. Talk to a student advisor or the financial aid office, or look online. Whatever you do, don’t give up!

Dealing With Stress: Tips to Deal With Stress in a Healthy Way

When it comes to stress, we all deal with it in different ways. Some of us get anxious, others of us get angry, and some of us shut down. But no matter how we deal with it, stress is a part of life that we all have to deal with.

There are a lot of different tips and tricks out there for dealing with stress, but not all are equal. Here are a few of my personal favourite tips for dealing with stress in a healthy way:

Get moving. Exercise is a great way to release tension and clear your head. Even a quick walk around the block can help you feel better.

Connect with loved ones. Spending time with loved ones can help you feel supported and loved, which can be a great stress reliever.

Take some time for yourself. Make sure to schedule some “me” time every day, even if it’s for a few minutes. This can be anything from reading your favorite book to taking a relaxing bath.

Practice relaxation techniques. There are lots of different relaxation techniques out there, so find one that works for you and practice it. Examples include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization.

Seek professional help if needed. If you’re finding that you’re struggling to cope with stress on your own, don’t be afraid to seek professional help from a therapist or counsellor. Reach out to the student success center and get connected with a counsellor and mental health services.

Access Student Success Services

If you’re struggling in college or university, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Many students face academic challenges at some point during their post-secondary studies. The good news is that there are plenty of student services available to help you overcome these challenges.

Academic advising: Academic advisors can help you plan your courses, choose a major or minor, and understand university policies and procedures. They can also provide guidance if you’re struggling academically.

Tutoring: Most colleges and universities offer free tutoring services for students who need extra help in specific subjects. Take advantage of this service if you’re having trouble understanding course material or keeping up with assignments. You can also access university-level tutors, like the ones at TutorOcean, who support students to achieve excellent results with ease.

Writing center: Writing in higher education is different. It takes time to understand how to write in the style required by your teachers. If you’re struggling with writing papers, the writing center can help. Tutors can provide feedback on your writing and help you improve your skills.

Counselling services: If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, counselling services can help. Counsellors provide support and guidance to help you cope with academic challenges and other life stressors.

There are many other student services available on most college and university campuses. If you’re not sure where to start, your academic advisor can point you in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—it’s one of the best ways to overcome academic challenges.

The academic journey is not always an easy one. There will be times when you feel like you’re struggling to keep up. But don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The important thing is not to let these challenges get the best of you.

Let’s take a look at the key tools to help you overcome academic challenges in college/university:

  • Remember, the struggle is real and it’s normal.
  • If you’re new to university or college, attend and take part in new student resources and events.
  • Build your time management skills.
  • Seek support from the student success center and access student services.
  • Work with a tutor, there’s a tutor for every subject .

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to overcoming any academic challenges that come your way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you’re struggling with something. Schools incorporate technology to help students succeed. There are plenty of resources available on campus, such as tutoring services and the library.

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Overcoming My Academic Obstacles by Viviana

Vivianaof Van Nuys's entry into Varsity Tutor's June 2016 scholarship contest

Overcoming My Academic Obstacles by Viviana - June 2016 Scholarship Essay

There is always a purpose for the difficulties we come across in our lives. We learn and grow from them. Yes we struggle and sacrifice but it is all worth it. We learn to pick ourselves up from our mistakes and it helps us become wise for when we come across future obstacles. In eleventh grade I took four AP classes, which was a difficult task, but I learned new study skills and work habits and it prepared me for college work. My junior year in high school was definitely the most challenging one of all. I decided to take four AP classes - English Language, US History, Spanish Language and Calculus. I was told that I was taking more AP classes than what I could handle but I didn't let that stop me from doing so. I was a bit scared of getting bad grades in them but I was up for the challenge. I wanted to see how I could handle college work. I wanted to learn what study skills were best for me and how to manage my time wisely and fix my schedule. I did struggle with this academic obstacle. I had to sacrifice social time to stay home to study and do Cornell notes. I lost sleep doing homework and studying. I would use my school breaks to study for tests and quizzes. I learned what methods worked best for me when I had to study. I had to plan my evening when I got home from school to schedule how much time I had to work for each class. I had to give up one Saturday every month to go to UCLA for tutoring sessions for AP Calculus. I discovered YouTube channels that were great in helping me understand difficult topics. All this would pay off, as I would find out later. The feeling of succeeding and overcoming an obstacle is one of the greatest feelings in the world. In July, I got my AP test scores and I saw that I had passed 3 out of 4 AP test. I received a score of four for English and US History and a score of five for Spanish. My hard worked had paid off and I proved to those people that thought I wouldn't be able to handle all the work, wrong. I had also maintained an A in 3 out of 4 AP classes in both semesters. Most importantly, I had overcome this obstacle and learned from it. I learned new study new skills and how to manage and schedule my time. I learned to look for resources to help me when I was stuck in something. I learned that as long as I try my best and give it my all, I can persevere and overcome obstacles along my academic path. The purpose of difficulties is to learn and grow from them. When we are trying to overcome an obstacle, there might be times when we feel like giving up. What's important is to control ourselves and learn how to adapt ourselves to these circumstances. Everything happens for a reason and when we look back we discover how much we've grown and what we've learned that can help us in the future.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Life Experiences — Overcoming Challenges

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Essays on Overcoming Challenges

Prompt examples for "overcoming challenges" essays, personal growth through adversity.

Share a personal experience in which you faced a significant challenge or adversity. Describe the impact it had on your personal growth, the lessons you learned, and how it changed your perspective on life.

The Role of Resilience

Discuss the concept of resilience in the face of challenges. How do individuals develop and demonstrate resilience, and what role does it play in overcoming difficult situations?

Overcoming Academic Obstacles

Explore the challenges students often encounter in their academic journeys. Describe a specific academic hurdle you faced, how you addressed it, and the strategies you used to succeed in your studies.

Challenges in the Workplace

Discuss challenges that individuals may encounter in their professional careers. Share a personal or professional experience in which you faced a workplace obstacle and describe how you navigated it to achieve success.

Health and Wellness Journey

Reflect on a health-related challenge, whether it's a physical ailment, mental health issue, or lifestyle change. Describe the steps you took to address this challenge, improve your well-being, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Overcoming Adversity in Sports

Discuss how athletes often face physical and mental challenges in their sports careers. Share a personal or sports-related story in which you or someone you know overcame adversity in athletics, highlighting the determination and perseverance required.

Challenges in Relationships

Explore the challenges that can arise in personal relationships, such as friendships, family dynamics, or romantic partnerships. Share a personal experience or case study, detailing how communication and resilience played a role in overcoming relationship challenges.

Obstacles in Pursuit of Goals

Describe a specific goal or dream you have pursued and the obstacles you encountered along the way. Explain the strategies you employed to overcome these obstacles and achieve your objectives.

Contributions to Community

Discuss how individuals can overcome challenges to make positive contributions to their communities. Share a personal or community-based initiative you were involved in that addressed a significant challenge or issue.

Lessons from Adversity

Reflect on the life lessons you have learned from overcoming challenges. How have these experiences shaped your values, beliefs, and approach to future obstacles?

Johnny Cade Obstacles

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Important Choices that Changed My Life

Effective way of overcoming adversity, the time i took a risk and its effect on me, review of lizzie velasquez’ ted talk, my expectations and challenges in trying to become a brain surgeon, helen keller: victories over disabilities, a view of attaining prosperity by overcoming obstacles as described in an inspirational speech, how blackboard programs can be used, seabiscuit: how an underdog became a champion, practical solutions for financial, health, and social issues, the benefits of going into the unknown, the importance and challenges of the design process, immigrant experience and challenges, personal reflection: overcoming fear and growing as a person, the role of discipline in achieving success, how to overcome struggles in life: lessons from thomas hardy, how to overcome struggles in life: bravery in the hate u give, overcoming adversity: the key to personal growth and success, turning challenges into opportunities: a path to growt, enduring issues: an examination of persistent challenges, relevant topics.

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December 11, 2023

Three Ways Writing About Obstacles Strengthens Your Application Essays

overcoming academic challenges essay

Applicants love to write about their accomplishments, whether in a personal statement for graduate school or in a b-school essay that asks about one’s greatest achievement, challenge, or the like. And they are not shy about sharing their accomplishments, such as driving innovations that led to revenue boosts for their firm, conducting original and meaningful research in their field of study, or leading a volunteer group on a community service initiative. 

As genuine and significant as these accomplishments are, many initial essay drafts are often missing a key element: obstacles . In this blog post, we explain why you shouldn’t shy away from discussing obstacles in your essays and how doing so intelligently can help your candidacy.

Here are three ways that discussing obstacles enhances your application:

1. Sharing how you overcame an obstacle shows the adcom that you can navigate bumps in the road in a positive, proactive way.

All of us frequently encounter obstacles: the traffic detour, an incompetent customer service representative, a disagreement with your partner, the approval you expected on a project unexpectedly turning into a “No.”  Every single person faces challenges, but people deal with them in wildly varying ways. Those who are more successful in life succeed because they understand that obstacles are to be expected. They learn how to navigate them with patience, creativity, and a problem-solving attitude, and by – to borrow a phrase – “keeping calm and carrying on.” But too often, when asked to discuss their accomplishments, applicants selectively and completely forget the things that got in their way  en route to their achievement. When they experience this kind of amnesia, they are shortchanging themselves. Triumphing over the hurdles they encountered might well have been just as difficult as executing all the anticipated elements of their plans – and therefore worth sharing.

2. Details about how you overcame obstacles create an appealing image of you as a candidate with a can-do personality.

Look at the following examples and see if you don’t agree. First we have the “stop-putting-me-to-sleep” example : As the leader of my product research group, I came up with a plan for a new widget that would save us 10% in costs. After I communicated my vision to the team, we worked hard for four weeks on a prototype, completing it by the deadline, to the delight of management. Today, my widget is still the standard for my company, saving us over $300K annually. Okay, this sounds like a solid accomplishment, but it’s hardly memorable.  How  did the candidate communicate her vision? What specific example does she offer of the hard work that was done over four weeks on the prototype? We have absolutely no idea.  Now let’s look at a “dazzle-is-in-the-details” example : As the leader of my product research group, I came up with a plan for a new widget that would save us 10% in costs. But when I explained my vision to the team, two senior engineers immediately argued against it, saying that there were key flaws in the design. After revisiting my design and realizing that they were correct, I revised my plan and was able to eliminate the flaws. We worked on a prototype for two weeks before discovering that the cost of the material we had planned to use for it had increased by more than 30% in recent months. I worked many late nights that week researching alternative materials, before finding one that was both appropriate and cost-effective. By the skin of our teeth, we met our four-week deadline and presented the prototype to management, but the VP of Manufacturing argued that we would need to purchase major new equipment to produce the widget. I convinced the team to work overtime on a manufacturing proposal that proved we could craft the product with existing equipment. Today, my widget is still the standard for my company, saving us over $300K annually. There’s no contest here, is there? The second example, loaded with specifics about what went wrong and what almost derailed the project, is mighty impressive. The details highlight the applicant’s creativity, thoroughness, tenacity, communication skills, and leadership potential. When spelled out this way, discussing an obstacle can make your essays shine with the drama of the story and can  associate you with lively elements and images . For example, in the second example, it’s easy to visualize the two dissenting engineers, the surprise of discovering the price hike for the materials, and the VP’s frown. In the first, there’s only the haziest impression of an employee smiling about a job well done.

3. Discussing obstacles makes you a more fully developed, more relatable applicant.

Can you see through these examples how including specific, key obstacles in your essays and explaining how you negotiated them  showcases your ability to overcome the unexpected ? This will assure the adcoms that you can capably execute a well-defined plan – even when you face unexpected bumps in the road. Moreover, it shows the school how you spring into action when the chips are down. This adds to a fuller understanding of who you are as an individual – and as an applicant the school would like to have in its next class.

For more details about what the adcom actually wants to know about the challenges you’ve overcome, watch this short video, in which Linda Abraham shares the answer to this often-asked question:

Are you still wondering how to address obstacles you’ve overcome in your application essays? Leave a comment on the video on YouTube, and we’ll gladly offer some tips. 

There’s no substitute for one-on-one guidance when addressing your obstacles and writing essays that make you shine. Working with an experienced admissions consultant, you can apply with the confidence that you have presented yourself at your best and maximized your chances of getting accepted.  Click here to learn more.

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Related Resources:

  • Five Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Application Essays , a free guide
  • Four Tips for Highlighting Your Strengths in Your Application Essays
  • Resilience: How Flaws and Failures Can Strengthen Your Application

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How to Write a Personal Challenge Essay (with Examples)

carolina Hermes

A personal challenge essay offers a singular chance for introspection and personal development. It gives you a chance to consider your past, face difficulties, and demonstrate your tenacity. This essay structure enables you to communicate your ideas and experiences with others, regardless of whether you’ve overcome hardship, dealt with a tricky circumstance, or chased an audacious goal. You’ll walk you through the phases of writing an engaging personal challenge essay in this in-depth guide, complete with samples that demonstrate the procedure.

Understanding the Personal Challenge Essay

The Personal challenges in life as a student essay asks you to describe an instance or time in your life when you had to overcome challenges, setbacks, or barriers. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your resilience, your capacity to face adversity, and the lessons you’ve picked up along the road. This kind of article necessitates reflection, sincerity, and skillful narrative.

Selecting a Meaningful Challenge

It’s important to pick the correct challenge to write about. Think about Personal challenges in life as a student essay that profoundly influenced your development, principles, or attitude on life. It can have been an obstacle you overcame in your studies, relationships, sense of self, or any other area of your life. The task should have personal significance for you and provide information that your audience can relate to.

Structuring Your Personal Challenge Essay

To effectively portray your experiences, feelings, and growth, writing an engaging personal challenge essay involves careful thought and a well-organized format. The following steps will show you how to organize your essay such that it presents a logical and interesting story:

Introduction:

Beginning your essay with an attention-grabbing hook that draws the reader in and highlights the topic of the difficulty you’ll be exploring is a good idea. This might be a provocative inquiry, a moving saying, a detailed account, or a first-hand account associated with your issue.

Background & Context:

Make sure the reader has all the background knowledge they need to comprehend your dilemma. Describe the context, surroundings, and any other pertinent information that establishes the scene for your narrative. Additionally, you have the choice to ask for assistance from PhD thesis writing help if you run into difficulties when writing the background and context of your thesis or dissertation or if you are unsure owing to a lack of experience. They can offer helpful assistance to improve the caliber of your work.

The Challenge:

Describe the challenge in detail in a portion of your essay. When describing the challenges, difficulties, or setbacks you encountered, be descriptive and in-depth.

Your Reaction and Result:

Write about how you responded to the challenge in this part. What steps have you taken? Did you make crucial decisions, prepare a plan, or ask for assistance? Be sure to emphasize your ability to solve problems, tenacity, and any other traits that may have helped you overcome the obstacle.

Growth and Reflection:

Consider the encounter and share what you took away from it. What effects did the challenge have on your emotions, mind, and possibly even body? What new understandings did you get about who you are, your values, or your outlook on life? Describe how you overcame the obstacle to grow personally, discover yourself, or alter your perspective.

Takeaways & Lessons:

The exact lessons you took away from overcoming the obstacle should be highlighted. What priceless knowledge, abilities, or traits did you acquire as a result? Describe how these teachings have shaped your current behavior, choices, or attitude in life.

Conclusion:

Writing a compelling conclusion that connects everything can help you to conclude your essay. Write a summary of your shared journey, highlighting your personal development and new perspectives.

Include a Call to Action (Optional):

Depending on the nature of your issue, you might want to include a call to action that prompts the reader to reflect on their own issues, take action, or adopt a particular attitude.

After you’ve finished writing the essay, take some time to review and make any necessary changes. Check that the grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your writing are correct, as well as the flow.

Maintain You’re Authentic Voice Throughout the Essay:

While it’s crucial to follow a structured methodology, don’t forget to preserve your authentic voice. Remain sincere, honest, and personal in your writing. Your unique perspective and emotions will lend greater authenticity to your writing and make it more compelling. By adhering to the instructions outlined in this comprehensive guide, you’ll effectively organize your personal challenge essay. This approach will skillfully lead your readers through your journey, captivating their attention and leaving a memorable impression. Furthermore, if you find it challenging to maintain a systematic approach, consider seeking assistance from master thesis writing help. Their expertise can aid you in completing your work with precision and coherence.

Don’ts and Dos

Be upfront and honest when discussing your experiences. Do emphasize your development and lessons acquired. To keep the reader’s attention, employ colorful language and descriptions. Don’t make up or embellish details. Instead of blaming others for the difficulty, concentrate on your solution. Choose a challenge that had a significant influence rather than one that was inconsequential.

Examples of Personal Challenge Essays

Following are the Personal challenge essay examples:

Overcoming Academic Challenges:

Navigating the challenges we face in life essay can be a transformative journey that leads to personal growth and self-discovery. A prime example of this is when I confronted a series of academic setbacks. I realized that my ingrained fear of failing was standing in the way of my development. I, however, resisted allowing this fear to direct my course. I started a quest for self-improvement with pure tenacity. I reached out for guidance and support, shedding light on the power of seeking assistance when needed.

Overcoming Fear:

For instance, I had always been terrified of public speaking, but I had to face my phobia to present in front of a large crowd. I overcame my anxiety about public speaking over time with practice and confidence, and I also acquired speaking abilities that I still use today.

Dealing with Personal Loss:

Losing a loved one was a difficult emotional experience that altered my outlook on relationships and life. I learned the value of cherishing moments and helping others in need through my grief and contemplation.

Examples of challenges you have overcome as a student essay

I have encountered a range of challenges as a student, which has pushed my perseverance, adaptability, and resilience to the test. Even though they occasionally proved to be challenging, these obstacles ultimately helped me become a better and more capable individual. Here are a few instances of obstacles I overcame in my academic career:

Time Management Challenges:

Juggling schoolwork, assignments, extracurricular activities, and personal obligations can be difficult. There were times when I struggled to adequately manage my time, which resulted in missed deadlines and frustration. To overcome this difficulty, I started adopting time management strategies like making a thorough calendar, establishing priorities, and breaking work down into smaller, more manageable pieces. I became more organized about my obligations over time, which led to increased productivity and decreased stress. Furthermore, many students pursuing careers in the medical field face similarly demanding schedules that make it challenging to meet deadlines. In such cases, they often turn to nursing research paper writing services to ensure the quality and timeliness of their assignments.

Academic Setbacks:

It was demoralizing to experience academic setbacks, such as earning lower grades than expected. I decided to take advantage of these setbacks as chances for improvement rather than giving in to self-doubt. I requested input from my lecturers, made note of my weaknesses, and put focused study techniques into practice. I was able to improve my academic performance and regain my confidence by persevering and being willing to learn from my failures.

Language Barrier:

Navigating English as a second language introduced a unique set of challenges, especially in terms of effective communication and the completion of writing assignments. In essays and presentations, I often encountered hurdles in articulating my thoughts coherently and concisely. To overcome this hurdle, I actively expanded my vocabulary, engaged in consistent reading and writing exercises, and actively sought input from peers and professors. Furthermore, this drive to enhance my linguistic abilities not only improved my communication skills but also bolstered my confidence in expressing myself in academic and professional settings. My determination to conquer these language-related challenges demonstrates my commitment to growth and adaptability, qualities that I believe would make me a strong candidate for the Harvard Scholarship Essay .

Dynamics of Group Projects:

Due to the various work habits, schedules, and perspectives held by the group members, collaborative projects have occasionally proven to be difficult. I adopted efficient communication techniques, such as active listening and open discussion, to handle these circumstances. By praising each team member’s abilities and accomplishments, I helped to create a more effective and pleasant working atmosphere.

Personal Well-Being and Health:

It can be difficult to maintain a good balance between your personal needs and your academic obligations. I have occasionally overlooked my needs, which has resulted in burnout and a decline in drive. I gave exercise, wholesome eating, and regular breaks top priority since I understood how important self-care was. This all-encompassing strategy not only increased my general well-being but also sharpened my attention and increased my output. These examples collectively constitute my challenges in life as a student essay. They serve as valuable lessons that offer insights on how to navigate and overcome various situations.

How to Revise and Improve Your Essay

For instance, if you are given a topic such as “Essay on Environmental Problems and Their Solutions” and you’re not well-versed in it, it’s advisable to invest time in research. This will enable you to create quality content for your essay. After writing your personal challenge essay, it’s essential to engage in the editing and revision process. Ensure that your essay flows logically and that your ideas are well-organized. Edit for clarity, grammar, and punctuation. If you’re seeking a comprehensive perspective, consider seeking feedback from peers, professors, or mentors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final thoughts.

Writing a personal challenge essay offers you the chance to share your unique journey and inspire others through your resilience and progress you can create an engaging tale that engrosses your readers by choosing a pertinent challenge, using a solid essay structure, and remaining honest. It’s crucial to remember that your essay about a personal issue demonstrates both your capacity for self-reflection and personal development in addition to your capacity for overcoming challenges. For those who face challenges in managing their academic tasks, there are online homework writing services available that can provide valuable assistance and support.

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overcoming academic challenges essay

How to Write the “Most Significant Challenge” UC Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by CollegeVine co-founder Vinay Bhaskara in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Understanding the prompt, avoiding common pitfalls, navigating more difficult topics.

The University of California system requires you to answer four out of eight prompts for its essays. Prompt five asks applicants:

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? (350 words)

As with any college essay, this prompt is an opportunity to convey a strong personal voice while communicating personal values and strengths that may not readily apparent in other parts of their application. In this article, we will discuss what the prompt is asking, how to approach writing your essay, and advice for navigating difficult topics. 

The first step in answering this prompt is identifying a challenge to reflect on. You’ll want to focus on a challenge that’s personal, genuine and authentic. A common issue that students struggle with is selecting a challenge that is appropriate in scale for the purposes of this essay. Choosing a challenge that may come across as minor in the eyes of admission officers, such as losing out on extracurricular opportunities because of COVID, for example, likely wouldn’t impress your reader in the same way that a more specific, personal challenge would. Navigating COVID as a challenge is going to be a completely overused response to this prompt, and if you want to stand out you should reflect more deeply on a challenge that is unique to you. 

You don’t want your challenge to come off as tone-deaf. For example, writing about a time that your parents refused to purchase something for you would not reflect very well on you and make you sound spoiled. On the flip side, you also don’t want to choose an outsized challenge that doesn’t resonate you. Your topic should be genuine and authentic.

Additionally, because this prompt specifically calls out an impact to your academic achievement, it’s a little bit more restrictive than the similar prompt in the Common Application . To be clear, you don’t have to write about something that directly affected your academics; however, you should be able to relate the process of overcoming this challenge back to your academic performance.

Focusing Only on the Challenge

We’ve already talked about writing a tone-deaf essay, but another trope you want to avoid is what we call a sob story. Writing an essay solely about the challenge and all the pain that it’s caused you is a good place to start an essay, but pain and struggle shouldn’t be where you end. A key element of the prompt is the act of overcoming the challenge and reflecting on that process and where you ended up. If you can’t end this essay in a better place than where you started, you’re not going to have a strong response to this prompt. 

Blaming Others

Additionally, avoid blaming others for your challenges. For example, if you struggled with a particular academic subject, focus on the specific aspects of that subject that challenged you and how you worked to overcome them. It’s easy to blame a bad teacher for a poor academic performance, and it is possible that the teacher might have objectively not been good. 

But think back to the purpose of the supplemental prompts. Colleges want to understand the person behind the application and how they think and relate to the people around them. Shifting blame to your teacher, even if it is  wholly deserved, could signal a lack of personal responsibility or immaturity to the admissions team. Remember that colleges are looking for students who will add to the vibrant campus community, which of course also includes their faculty and the other students.

Regardless of what you choose as your challenge, it’s important to think critically about how you will frame it within the context of your essay. Difficult topics like mental and physical health can be quite effective essay topics as they’re deeply personal and often quite substantial. However, as you begin to think through your essay, remember that two huge elements of the prompt are overcoming the challenge and reflecting on how it has impacted you academically. 

Remember to start with the end in mind. When we say start with the end in mind, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the challenge is now over. Colleges understand that challenges like mental health and chronic pain often don’t go away. It is important that, in the case of a challenge that you are constantly navigating, you clearly and effectively convey how you’ve overcome it or, in some cases, the ongoing steps you take to mitigate it. 

Ultimately, college is rigorous and challenging in itself, and no college or university wants to set you up for failure if they’re not confident that you can succeed. If you cannot effectively demonstrate that the challenge is no longer a risk to your success and wellbeing, consider choosing a different topic.

Looking for more information on how to attack the UC supplemental essays? Check out this post for a comprehensive guide on how to answer each of the eight prompts!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

overcoming academic challenges essay

How to write about your biggest challenge or adversity

Your adversity statement, often called “the challenge essay,” has the potential to be a major contributor to your medical school application. The goal of the essay is not just to explain the adversities you faced or the challenges you experienced, but rather to demonstrate your ability to overcome them and grow from them. The specific challenge or adversity itself is often times the least important part of the essay! Instead, the majority of your limited word count will be dedicated to demonstrating your preparedness for the many challenges and adversities that you will face in medical school and beyond. Looking at the prompt from this angle may help it seem a bit less intimidating. Now, let’s tackle this essay in three simple steps: 

Step One : Reread the prompt, and select the experience you want to talk about 

Before you even begin brainstorming, reread the prompt! In your excitement (or nervousness) to get started, you may have missed a helpful detail that will narrow the scope of your essay. Depending on the school, you may be asked to discuss a professional challenge, a personal challenge, or even an academic one. Make sure that you understand which of these, if any, is being asked for. Once you have a sense of what type of experience is being requested, start to brainstorm the adversities you have faced, no matter how big or small. As you make a list, make sure each example fits the following criteria: 

  • You have overcome the obstacle or have made meaningful progress towards the goal of overcoming it
  • You have completed the emotional processing of the obstacle/experience and are comfortable talking about it in writing and potentially in an interview 

Once this is done, take a look at your list and see what experiences you are most confident in. Do those align with the narrative of the application you submitted in your primary application/personal statement? Is this an experience that you’ve discussed extensively in your 15 activities or personal statement already? Asking yourself these questions will help you narrow down the list further until you make a final selection that will complement your application and demonstrate your characteristics well. Examples include: losing a loved one, not succeeding in a class, navigating a health concern or diagnosis, overcoming a language barrier, navigating financial hardship, and more. 

Step Two: Map out the essay by talking through exactly how you overcame the adversity/challenge 

You have your experience selected, but before writing the essay, you need to be sure of the characteristics you wish to demonstrate. Knowing this before you write will help you frame the story in such a way that these characteristics shine through. Remember, you are only using a small amount of the essay to describe the event itself; most of the essay should focus on your journey overcoming the adversity/challenge, so you need to be direct and clear from the start! You can also use this time to get a sense of how long the essay will be. Do you find yourself taking 5 minutes or more to fully explain your story? You may need to be more succinct in order to condense that into an essay with a limited word count. 

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write the "Overcoming Challenges" Essay + Examples

    1. Avoid trivial or common topics. While there aren't many hard-and-fast rules for choosing an essay topic, students should avoid overdone topics. These include: Working hard in a challenging class. Overcoming a sports injury. Moving schools or immigrating to the US. Tragedy (divorce, death, abuse)

  2. How to Write an "Overcoming Challenges"

    That's an added bonus with using simple and direct language—doing so allows you to set up your challenges in the first paragraph or two, so you can then move on and dedicate most of the essay to a) what you did about it and b) what you learned. So just tell us, with clear and direct language. 2. WITH A LITTLE HUMOR.

  3. How To Level Up Your Overcoming Challenges Essay

    As you write, keep in mind that each component should make up about one-third of your essay. This is important because it is common for students to focus mainly on what the challenge is and write 45% to 50% of the essay talking about the challenge and its impact. Instead, you should split your essay into thirds, with challenges and effects ...

  4. How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay + Example

    Techniques that animate an overcoming challenges essay are the same ones used in storytelling. Think setting, visuals, sounds, dialogue, physical sensations, and feelings. "Showing" instead of "telling.". Crafting the essay with these inner and external details will bring the challenge to life, and catch the reader's attention.

  5. How to Nail Your Overcoming a Challenge Essay

    tips for writing an essay about overcoming challenges. 1. Stay away from common topics. One of the biggest pitfalls students experience when answering the "overcoming a challenge" essay is choosing a common topic. Considering that admissions officers have to read through hundreds if not thousands of essay responses to the same question ...

  6. How to Answer the Essay Prompt "Describe a Challenge You Overcame"

    A challenge can be as seemingly simple as learning to trust yourself after a failure in school or an extracurricular activity or as complicated as overcoming significant discrimination and prejudice. You had to overcome a specific fear to succeed at an activity you love. You may have had to rebuild your life after losing a relative.

  7. PDF Overcoming Personal Challenges That Have Impacted My Academic Journey

    several obstacles and challenges specific to transitioning to life as an academic. My first significant obstacle was my difficulty in obtaining a second reference letter for my application process. Since I had graduated from the M. Ed. program three years earlier, I found it difficult to secure a recent academic reference.

  8. How To Write An Overcoming Challenges College Application Essay

    One effective way to highlight your resilience is by sharing personal stories that exemplify your ability to rise above obstacles. How To Write An Overcoming Challenges College Application Essay. Sharing personal setbacks in college essays can be a powerful way to stand out. By reflecting on challenges, transforming adversity into inspiration ...

  9. Overcoming Academic Challenges: A Guide for College & University Students

    Taking care of yourself will help you stay focused and motivated, even when things get tough. Many students in higher education struggle with academic challenges, such as: Getting used to a new setting (life on campus). Studying. Time management. Achieving goals (or setting them). Budgeting. Managing stress.

  10. Overcoming My Academic Obstacles by Viviana

    The feeling of succeeding and overcoming an obstacle is one of the greatest feelings in the world. In July, I got my AP test scores and I saw that I had passed 3 out of 4 AP test. I received a score of four for English and US History and a score of five for Spanish. My hard worked had paid off and I proved to those people that thought I wouldn ...

  11. Overcoming a Challenge Essay Examples • GradesFixer

    Prompt Examples for "Overcoming Challenges" Essays. Personal Growth Through Adversity. Share a personal experience in which you faced a significant challenge or adversity. Describe the impact it had on your personal growth, the lessons you learned, and how it changed your perspective on life. ... Describe a specific academic hurdle you faced ...

  12. Writing About Overcoming Obstacles in Your Application Essays

    Here are three ways that discussing obstacles enhances your application: 1. Sharing how you overcame an obstacle shows the adcom that you can navigate bumps in the road in a positive, proactive way. All of us frequently encounter obstacles: the traffic detour, an incompetent customer service representative, a disagreement with your partner, the ...

  13. How to Write a Personal Challenge Essay (with Examples)

    Examples of Personal Challenge Essays. Following are the Personal challenge essay examples: Overcoming Academic Challenges: Navigating the challenges we face in life essay can be a transformative journey that leads to personal growth and self-discovery. A prime example of this is when I confronted a series of academic setbacks.

  14. How to Write the "Most Significant Challenge" UC Essay

    Understanding the Prompt. The first step in answering this prompt is identifying a challenge to reflect on. You'll want to focus on a challenge that's personal, genuine and authentic. A common issue that students struggle with is selecting a challenge that is appropriate in scale for the purposes of this essay.

  15. How to write about your biggest challenge or adversity

    Step Three: Write, write, write. Dedicate a brief intro of the essay to describing the circumstances of the challenge/adversity you faced. No need to be too detailed, but give the reader enough information to understand what you were up against. Next, explain your feelings throughout the experience, how you were affected, and how you overcame.

  16. UW Essay Examples 2024: Best UW Paper Samples

    Overcoming Challenges Personal Statement Example. Explore how applicants to the University of Washington elaborate on their unique traits and goals through these compelling essays.

  17. EssayPro Unveils Key Strategies to Overcome 7 Common Challenges in

    Overcoming the challenges of academic English writing is crucial for academic success. Each hurdle, from structuring arguments to beating writer's block, offers an opportunity to grow and improve.