By Eman Khan, US, Canada & Graduate School Specialist | 7 May 2026
Your exams are finally over. Now what?
If you’re an A-Level student dreaming of going to university abroad, the summer holidays are one of the most important windows in your university application timeline. Strong applicants should use the summer break to build an essay that feels thoughtful, personal, and unique to you.
A university essay is one of the most useful tools in your application. Universities will already have your grades, extracurriculars, internships and awards. But they don’t know who you are. This is where the university essay comes in: to help universities understand how you think, what you value, and how you have grown.
Here’s how to use the next four weeks to go from “I don’t know what to write” to an impactful essay that can help get you into your dream university.
Week 1: Who am I?
Reflect on your life, and ask yourself: What do I want a university to know about me that they wouldn’t know from my transcript alone? Think about the moments that shaped you. What challenges did you face? What responsibilities do you have? What have you learned from these experiences?
Week 2: What do I write about?
Every applicant can call themselves a leader, a hard worker, or a passionate student. What’s important is to choose a real, specific moment that shows these qualities in action. For example, instead of just saying that you’re resilient, tell the story of a time you had to pick yourself back up after disappointment.
Week 3: How do I structure my essay?
Start with a catchy opening hook to grab attention. Then share your story, your reflections, how you have grown since then, and how this connects to your future. The goal is to sound honest, mature, and self-aware.
Week 4: Get writing.
Put pen to paper, and let the words flow. Write your first draft without overthinking. Then go back to the brainstorming stage and revise. What works? What doesn’t? Remove cliches, vague sentences, and ideas that repeat without revealing anything new about yourself. Add details about your story that only you could know.
Remember – your first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect. A strong university essay comes from revision. Sharpen every sentence, and come up with a story that makes you stand out.