personal communication goals essay

Essay Examples 20 Personal Statement Examples That Stand Out + Why They Work

This is your ultimate list of Personal Statement examples.

In this post, you'll learn:

• What makes a successful Personal Statement
• How to write an irresistible Personal Statement
• Ivy League personal essay examples

If you're looking to read and write Personal Statement essays, you've found the right place.

Table of Contents

In this post, I'm going to share everything you need to go from zero to having a Personal Statement essay you can be proud of.

This guide will help you get started writing an engaging Personal Statement essay. Or if you already have one, how to make it even better.

What is a Personal Statement Essay?

A personal statement, also called a statement of purpose (SOP) or personal essay, is a piece of creative, personal writing.

The purpose of your personal statement is to express yourself and your ideas. Personal statements usually aren't piece of formal writing, but still should be thoughtful and planned out.

Many applications for colleges, graduate schools, and scholarships require you to write a personal statement.

How to Write a Personal Statement Essay

While there are no rules or guidelines for writing a personal statement, the best ones often have these in common:

Have Strong Ideas:

Having compelling and interesting ideas shows you are a strong thinker.

It isn't necessarily about having all the answers, but asking the right questions.

For personal statement essays, the quality of your ideas matters more than your writing level. Writing interestingly is more important than writing beautifully.

I’ve stopped tripping over my own feet, and it’s led to me not being afraid to connect and interact with patients and customers or present in front of large crowds. Life is just one long Carioca – you might stumble at first, but if you keep pushing, the right feet will find themselves in the right place. From an accepted essay to UNC at Chapel Hill →

Be Authentic

Writing authentic essays means writing from the heart.

The best personal statements tend to come naturally, because the writer is excited about the topic.

Choose an idea that makes you feel excited to write about and start writing.

As you begin drafting, ideas will naturally arise related to your original idea. Exploring these tangential ideas is what leads to even better reflections for your essay.

That's why it's so important to be genuinely passionate about your subject. You can't just have an interest "in the topic," but there has to be something deeper you're writing about that moves you.

Use Narratives and Story-Telling:

Humans are naturally drawn to stories.

And often the best insights and ideas come from real life experiences.

Telling a story, or many, is the basis for developing your analysis and ideas. Remember, all stories need conflict in order to work.

It can help to think about the different types of conflict.

• Character vs. Self
• Character vs. Character
• Character vs. Nature
• Character vs. Society

And so on...

Once you've written a meaningful story, getting insights is as simple as answering the question: What did your experiences teach you?

The sounds of my knife striking kale unnerves my cat asleep in the corner. He quickly runs over to examine the situation but becomes instantly uninterested when he sees green and smells bitterness. Unfortunately, my family has this same reaction every day of every week. From an accepted essay to University of Southern California →

Showcase Your Values and Identity:

The purpose of a personal statement is to tell about who you are.

Personal statements are your opportunity to showcase what your values are, and how you would contribute to the school, scholarship opportunity, etc.

Good writers are those who write authentically. Write about your unique ideas and ask interesting questions, even if you don't know the answers.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

A typical personal statement can range in length from 500 to 650 words or more.

For applying to colleges, the Common Application essay personal statement has a word limit of 650 words.

For graduate school programs, the application essay will vary in length, but most schools require a personal statement essay of at least 500 words.

20 Personal Statement Essays That Worked

It can be difficult to understand what makes a great essay without seeing some for yourself.

Here's 20 of our favorite personal statement essays that we've chosen for being unique and high-quality.

There essays were all accepted into some of the most selective schools. And while it isn't the only factor in admissions that matters, having outstanding essays can help tip the scales in your favor.

Prompt: Background, Identity, or Interest

• 1. Uncomfortable Truths
• 2. Romanian Heritage
• 3. Film and Theater
• 4. Person of the Woods
• 5. Beautiful Walks

Prompt: Lessons from Obstacles

• 6. My Father
• 7. Self-Determination
• 8. Game Design Music
• 9. Speech and Debate

Prompt: Questioned or Challenged a Belief

• 10. Finding Answers

Prompt: Accomplishment, Event, or Realization

• 11. Connecting with Others
• 12. Summer Confidence
• 13. First Impressions
• 14. Law Career
• 15. Growing Up Asian

Prompt: Engaging Topic, Idea, or Concept

• 16. Secrets of Riddles
• 17. Rubik's Cube
• 18. Narrative Diversity

Prompt: Any Topic of Your Choice

• 19. Search for Dreams
• 20. Recipe for Success

Personal Statement Example #1: Uncomfortable Truths

This is a personal statement that worked for Princeton . It is outstanding for many reasons, but most of all because of its ideas and the thoughtfulness put into organizing them.

Common App Prompt #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (250-650 words)

Why This Essay Works:

Having a unifying idea is key to successful personal statements. Find your deepest idea or realization and focus your essay around that.

Find a way to showcase your achievements while connecting to broader, more universal ideas.

Connecting your ending to your beginning is a powerful way to bring your essay full circle. A great conclusion expands on your ideas introduced earlier, while leaving some room for more to be said.

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Personal Statement Example #2: Film and Theater

This student's essay was accepted to USC , among other top schools. It's topic is seemingly simple—taking walks—but the author brilliantly shows how even in the mundane there can be meaningful reflections.

This essay has lots of moments where the author's character comes across vividly. By using conversational language and interjections like "I want to—no, need—to...", the author has a clear "voice" and you can easily imagine them as if they were speaking directly to you. This student also showcases self-awareness and a sense of humor, by using slightly self-deprecating phrases like "some chubby, nerdy girl" and by recognizing how the social approval of sitting with the "popular girls" was enthralling at the time. Self-awareness is a highly valuable trait to portray, because it shows that you're able to reflect on both your strengths and weaknesses, which is a skill needed to be able to grow and develop.

This author manages to tie in their activity of producing films and reference them specifically ("Cardboard Castles") by connecting them to their main point. Instead of listing their activities or referencing them out-of-the-blue, they show how these accomplishments are perfect examples of a greater message. In this case, that message is how meaningful it is to connect with others through storytelling. To write about your activities and achievements without seeming arbitrary or boastful, make them have a specific purpose in your essay: connect to a value, idea, or use them as examples to show something.

In the intro of this essay, there are some descriptions that seem fiction-like and are ultimately unimportant to the main idea. Sentences that describe Mrs. Brewer's appearance or phrases describing how their teacher stood up after talking to them ultimately don't contribute to the story. Although these provide "context," the only context that admissions are interested in is context and details which have a purpose. Avoid writing like fiction books, which describe all the characters and settings, and instead only describe exactly what is needed to "go somewhere" in your essay.

What They Might Improve:

This essay has a strong hook which captivates the reader by making them ask a question: "What are these lunch-time horror stories?" By sparking the reader's imagination early on, you can draw them into your writing and be more engaged. However, ultimately this is somewhat of a letdown because these intriguing "lunch-time horror stories" are never described. Although it may not be completely necessary for the main point, describing one example or hinting at it more closely would be satisfying for the reader and still connect to the main idea of storytelling. One idea is to replace the conclusion with a reference to these "lunch-time horror stories" more vividly, which would be a satisfying ending that also could connect to filmmaking and storytelling. In general, anticipate what the reader will be looking for, and either use that expectation to your advantage by subverting it, or give them what they want as a satisfying, meaningful conclusion.

Although this conclusion could work as is, it could be stronger by seeming less arbitrary and less "fancy for fancy sake." Often, a good strategy is to connect your conclusion to something earlier in your essay such as your introduction or specific wording that you used throughout. In this essay, it could work much better to end by revealing one of those "lunch-time horror stories" in a way that also emphasizes their main point: how storytelling is a powerful tool to connect people.

Personal Statement Example #3: Romanian Heritage

This personal statement worked for UMichigan , among many other top schools like MIT, Rice, UNC at Chapel Hill , University of Pittsburgh, UW Madison, and more.

This author is able to vividly bring you into their world using cultural references and descriptive writing. You can practically taste and smell Buni's kitchen through her words.

This essay starts off by posing a challenge, which is typical of essays. But rather than showing how they overcame this particular challenge of speaking Romanian without an accent, this reader shows how something unexpected—baking—came to satisfy what was missing all along. By the end, this creates a conclusion that is both surprising, connected to the beginning, and makes perfect sense once you've read it. In other words, the conclusion is inevitable, but also surprising in content.

This student uses Romanian words to help exemplify the culture and language. If you're writing about a culture, using foreign language words can be a compelling way of adding depth to your essay. By including specific terms like "muni" and "cornulete," it shows a depth of knowledge which cannot be faked. Always use specific, tangible language where possible, because it is "evidence" that you know what you're talking about.

This student exhibits strong self-awareness by noting characteristics about themself, even some which may not be the most glamorous ("can be overbearing at times, stubborn in the face of offered help"). Rather than telling the reader flat out about these personal attributes, they are able to discuss them by connecting to another person—their grandmother Buni. Using another person to showcase your own character (through comparison or contrast) is a literary "foil," which can be an effective way of showing your character without stating it outright, which generally is boring and less convincing.

This student doesn't focus on surface-level ideas like "how they got better at speaking Romanian." Instead, they reflect in a creative way by connecting the Romanian language to baking. Revealing unseen connections between topics is a great way to show that you're a thoughtful and clever thinker. Ultimately, having unique ideas that are specific to you is what will create a compelling essay, and this essay is a perfect example of what that could look like.

Personal Statement Example #4: Person of the Woods

This essay was accepted into Dartmouth College . It is a brilliant example of showing how any experience, even those which originally may have been unpleasant, can be the topic of meaningful reflection.

Using visuals, like descriptions of scenarios and environments, can help bring the reader into your world. However, make sure that all of your descriptions are relevant to your main point, or else they could be distracting. For example, in this essay it would be unnecessary to describe what they're wearing or the appearance of canoes, but it makes sense to describe the nature as it relates to the main topic.

People are not isolated units. Instead, everyone depends on and is defined by those around them. By showing how you relate and connect with other people, you can provide insights into your character. In this essay, the student does a great job of delving into their strong friendships, particularly what they've learned from their friends.

Admissions officers love to see self-growth. Showing how your perspective on something has changed (in this case, how they went from disliking to loving an activity) conveys a development of your character. Ask yourself: what preconceived notions did I have before, and how did they change? This student reflects in a humble way, by first emphasizing what they've learned from others, before offering up what they might have contributed themselves. Always try to have a tone of gratitude in your essays because it makes you more likeable and shows strong character.

• Make a Strong Impression
• Capture Your Unique Strengths
• Write Outstanding Essays
• ...and Apply Confidently!

Personal Statement Example #5: Beautiful Walks

Personal Statement Example #6: My Father's Death

This personal statement was admitted to Michigan in recent years. It is an outstanding example of how you can write about topics that are often cliché if done poorly, such as the death of a family member.

But unlike other essays, this one works because it has a unique take and genuine approach to the topic that makes it come off as heartfelt.

Common App Prompt #2: 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? (250-650 words)

Writing about a tragedy like a loss of a parent is a tricky topic for college essays. Many students feel obligated to choose that topic if it applies to them, but it can be challenging to not come across as trying to garner sympathy ("sob story"). This student does a graceful job of focusing on positive elements from their father's legacy, particularly the inspiration they draw from him.

This student does a great job of connecting their educational and career aspirations to their background. Admissions officers want to understand why you're pursing what you are, and by explaining the origin of your interests, you can have compelling and genuine reasons why.

In this essay, the student writes from their hypothetical perspective as an infant. This doesn't quite work because they likely wouldn't remember these moments ("I have no conscious memories of him"), but still writes as though they do. By writing about things you haven't seen or experienced yourself, it can come across as "made up" or inauthentic.

Personal Statement Example #7: Self-Determination

Some of the best essay topics are dealing with challenges you've faced, because difficulties make it easier to reflect upon what you've learned. Admissions officers ultimately are looking for self-growth, and showing how you've handled personal challenges can demonstrate your new understandings as a result. However, avoid talking about "tragedy" or difficulty without a clear purpose. Don't write about it because you think "you should," only write about challenges if they are true to yourself and you have something meaningful and unique to say about them. Otherwise, it can come off as trying to garner sympathy (i.e. "sob stories") which admissions officers generally dislike.

More convincing than telling admissions officers, is presenting them with "evidence" and allowing them to come to the conclusion themselves. If you want to show the idea "I couldn't learn due to this condition," it is far more effective to do what this student did and say, "I'd just finished learning complex trig identities, and I now couldn't even count to ten." When drafting, it is normal and okay to start off with more "telling" as you get your ideas on paper. But as your essay progresses, you should transform those moments of "telling" into more powerful and convincing moments of "showing."

Having meaningful reflections is a critical part of having compelling essays. But make sure your takeaways are not surface-level or generic. Each admissions officer has likely read thousands of essays, so they are well aware of the common ideas and tropes. Avoid cliché ideas at all costs, because it comes across as forgettable and unoriginal. Instead, it is okay to start with surface-level ideas, but keep asking yourself probing questions like "Why" and "How" to push your ideas deeper.

This essay tells a nice story of overcoming their physical impediment, but ultimately lacks meaningful reflections in the conclusion. Too much time is spent on "the problem" and not enough on how they overcame it. Your conclusion should have your best, most compelling ideas in your entire essay. Try ending your essay by connecting to the beginning with a new perspective, expanding on your idea with a new takeaway, or connecting to broader, more universal themes. Avoid having a conclusion that "sounds nice," but ultimately is lacking in meaningful content.

Personal Statement Example #8: Game Design Music

This essay was admitted into Cornell University . It discusses a common conflict of ideology that comes with pursuing the arts. What the author does brilliantly is show how that conflict was reconciled, as well as how it changed their perspective.

My mom used to tell me this a lot. She’d always disapproved of my passion for the arts.

In this essay, the author does a fantastic job of showing how they are thoughtful in considering the perspectives of others, even though they may disagree. Showing that you can entertain ideas that you may disagree with is an admirable trait that admissions officers love to see, because intellectual discussion is all about trying to see other people's views. When writing about things that you may disagree with, try to play devil's advocate and see things from their point of view. Doing so will make you come off as thoughtful, understanding, and inquisitive, and it will strengthen your own viewpoint if you can identify arguments against it.

The best essays help admissions officers understand how you think about things. One strategy is to offer up questions to explore. These can be questions that arose during a particular moment or questions that you're reflecting upon right now. By using questions in your essay, you'll also present yourself as a thoughtful and curious thinker. Ultimately, you want to help the reader see things from your perspective by showing your thought process.

A good starting place for reflection can be in comparing and contrasting different topics. This could finding the similarities and differences in an extracurricular and an academic class, or any other number of things. By finding the similarities in things often thought of as "opposing," or finding the differences in things thought of as "similar," you can get to interesting ideas. Comparisons are useful because they force you to think from a different viewpoint. For example in this essay: How does "programming" relate to "song lyrics"?

This essay ends on a note that feels somewhat off-topic and not as interesting as their main idea. The conclusion leaves more to be wanted, as the reader ends up thinking: Are you simply seeking the approval of your parents? Or are you carving your own path in life? Or does the answer lie somewhere in between? Avoid ending your essay with a tangential idea. Instead, a strong conclusion is often closely related to the main point of your essay, but with a slight twist. By planning out your essay before writing, you can make sure that each point (from start to finish) connects the way you want it to and that your conclusion ends on a strong, well-connected note.

Personal Statement Example #9: Speech and Debate

I was still high off the competition, poring over ballots by the soft streetlights as we drove. “Are you sure you want to do this?” My Dad was worried about me. Worried about my world crashing down around me, losing friends, being crushed by hate. Scarred by controversy. I laughed it off, and we rode in silence.

Fast forward to my second or third year in the league. I wanted to have some fun. I emailed the regional coordinator, asking if there’s a rule against a speech advocating for same-sex marriage.

This essay has lots of interesting ideas about having discussions between people of different viewpoints. This student is able to reflect sincerely about what the benefit of that dialogue is ("iron sharpening iron") and able to draw meaningful conclusions ("hope lives in that laughter") that express deeper ideas. By focusing on these compelling reflections, this student shows themself as a brilliant and thoughtful thinker, while demonstrating what they value: discourse between opposing viewpoints. Rather than focusing on the literal happenings (i.e. giving a speech to their club), the student reflects on what that experience represents more broadly, which allows them to connect to deeper ideas.

This essay is full of details, without being wordy or drawn out. Even small details like naming the show "The Daily Show" or giving a number of "40,000+ theologies" makes their writing much more engaging and compelling. By avoiding broad and vague language, this student paints a fascinating picture that allows the reader to enter their world. It is always better to be specific than to be generic, but make sure that the specific details are always relevant to your point. This essay is a great example of how to do both.

This essay does a fantastic job of creating a "voice." That is, you can easily imagine the student as if they were speaking to you while reading it. To craft this voice, this student uses small moments of more informal language and interjecting remarks that show their thought process. Using parentheses can be a good way to show your voice by jumping in when you have a small remark to add. This student also demonstrates a sense of humor and lightheartedness while still discussing meaningful ideas. The sarcastic remark "because controversy has no place in a debate club!" demonstrates their values (of dialogue between differing viewpoints) as well as showing their sense of personality.

This essay's weakest point is its intro or "hook." In fact, it could work much better by excluding the introduction paragraph and starting off with the second paragraph: "Forgive the melodrama: this is a story..." That short phrase is much more captivating and immediately draws the reader in. The introduction paragraph in this essay is too much of a meandering and vague story: you don't know what they're talking about, and ultimately it doesn't matter. Rather than using a fancy story or descriptions to introduce your essay, try jumping into the "meat" of your essay immediately. Consider using a short, declarative sentence or phrase like "Forgive the melodrama" as a hook, which is more impactful and draws the reader immediately into your essay.

Personal Statement Example #10: Finding Answers

Common App Prompt #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? (250-650 words)

My grandmother’s concern faded rather quickly as sirens fell distant and time passed.

After about 30 minutes, my grandfather’s friend ran toward the beach. My grandfather was not next to him. He was not there at all. At that moment, my grandma knew.

“Burt...he was with me...he slipped...he fell...I ran down the side of the mountain, off the trail, but I couldn’t find him. The park rangers are looking...” She stopped listening. She could see his lips moving, yet she heard nothing.

This essay repeats a lot of the same ideas or information, just using different words. Rather than "getting to the point," this repetition makes the essay feel meandering and like it is going nowhere ultimately. When drafting your essay, it is okay to have repetition (your drafts shouldn't be perfect, after all). But when editing, ask yourself with each sentence: does this add something new? Is this necessary to my main point? If not, you should exclude those sentences.

This essay starts off with a drawn-out story of the tragedy involving the author's grandfather. Most of this story is unnecessary, because all that really matters for this student's main idea is the fact that their grandfather passed away from a tragic accident. Details about his grandmother or his grandfather's best friend are unnecessary and distracting.

An important "rule" in college essays is to only write from your perspective. That is, don't describe things that you couldn't have seen or experienced. In this essay, the author spends a lot of time describing their grandfather's incident as if they was there to witness it. But we later learn that the author was not even alive at this point, so how could they be describing these things? On a smaller level, don't describe yourself from an outside perspective. For example, instead of, "I grimaced when I heard the news" (how did you see yourself grimace?) you could say, "I felt my stomach pang when I heard the news."

Your ideas are most valuable in your essays. Admissions officers want to see how you think, and having interesting ideas that are unique to you is how you demonstrate that you're thoughtful and insightful. Avoid surface-level ideas at all costs, as it comes off cliché. It is okay to start with more generic ideas, but you should always delve deeper. To get at deeper and more unique ideas, the key is to ask yourself questions. For example: Why is this the case? Why don't things work differently? What does this mean for other people? What does this represent? How can I apply this to other areas of life?

Personal Statement Example #11: Connecting with Others

Common App Prompt #5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. (250-650 words)

It's important to create a "voice" in your personal statement, so that admissions officers can imagine your character and personality. Try to write as you would speak, but refined and polished. In this essay, natural-sounding phrases like "...let me admit, I was awful..." humanizes the author and makes the reader feel like they're being spoken to.

This essay is a perfect example of how effective essays don't need to have a super unusual story to be compelling. What makes this essay's story compelling is not necessarily the topic itself (meeting distant relatives), but instead how the student reflects and makes interesting connections to broader ideas. Even seemingly mundane experiences can make for meaningful personal statements topics.

This conclusion works well by connecting to the main story of the essay. However, certain phrases like "As a global citizen" and "I am hoping to forge relationships" are potentially too generic. Instead, try taking your main idea (in this case forming connections with others) and broaden it or connect to more universal ideas.

Personal Statement Example #12: Summer Confidence

This essay has a heartfelt moment where the author connects deeply with a camper and feels a sense of genuine gratitude. By showing their newfound connection with a person they were mentoring, this creates a sense of humanity and also tells a lot about the author themself. By talking about other people in your life, you create a literary "foil" which in turn describes something about yourself. Showing how you interact with others can be telling into your character, such as showing your empathy, sense of humor, friendliness, or how you draw inspiration from others.

This essay does a good job of expressing vulnerability, specifically the author's fears about the future and "deteriorating friendships" after going to college. By being vulnerable, these moments feel more relatable to the reader. Showing your struggles (especially emotional ones) can also make your later "successes" feel more impactful when you show how you've overcame them or persist in face of those struggles. By recognizing your flaws or insecurities, you also show self-awareness, which is a positive trait because you need to be self-aware in order to improve the areas of yourself you want to fix.

Although this essay does reflect upon the lessons learned during their time at this camp, the takeaways are ultimately surface-level and not delved into. Rather than saying things like "I had more confidence," it would be more engaging to show how that confidence made an effect and what exactly that "confidence" meant. This essay touches upon some meaningful lessons, but ultimately they fall flat because the nuances of these lessons are glossed over. Phrases like "upon further consideration it no longer fills me with...apprehension" don't delve into the most interesting part: How and why did that fear go away? What changed about your perspective and why? Instead, these are explained away with "confidence and maturity," which are too broad of terms and feel meaningless because they are overused in essays.

In your personal statement, it is completely OK to reference people by their first name. Using names makes your essay more vivid and engaging, while showing a deeper connection that you have with others. Rather than saying "other people" or "one of the older campers," it would be more impactful to use their first name. There are some caveats, however. Don't use their name if you're showing them in a negative light (which you probably shouldn't do anyway) or if you're revealing something personal about them. If you are revealing something personal, you can substitute their name for another name, or ask them for their direct permission.

Personal Statement Example #13: First Impressions

It had a nice ring to it, but I wasn’t a fan. Unfortunately, that’s what I imagined everyone saw first, and first impressions stick.

A caveat of my surgery was that the hair would grow, then one-third would fall off. My scar will never be completely gone, but I no longer feel defined by it like I did in elementary school.

An effective hook doesn't need to be complicated. Often, the best hooks are simple, declarative sentences. By using a short sentence, you'll immediately draw the reader into your essay and create a point of emphasis. In general, avoid long and meandering sentences to start your essay, and save those for later in your essay. Clear and succinct phrasing is often the hallmark of a strong hook.

To convey your ideas more strongly, show them using concrete examples. In this essay, the author does a great job of that by not saying "classmates only saw me for my scar," but instead showing that idea through the memorable image of "I learned about my classmates through their lunchbox covers...they saw me as the boy with the scar." Using tangible imagery makes for a compelling way of expressing your ideas, as it allows the reader to come to the conclusions you want them to, without just "telling" them.

Avoid exaggerating or "fluffing up" experiences in your essays. Instead, be realistic and tell them for what they are. This essay does that perfectly by using phrases like "I didn't have a sudden epiphany about my scar." Avoid using phrases like "suddenly, I..." which are often overused and unrealistic. Most new understandings aren't acquired in one moment in particular, but are developed over time.

This essay touches on some compelling ideas, such as how people can distill down other people into their physical attributes or ailments. However, it would be even stronger to delve deeper into these reflections by asking further questions: Why do we gravitate towards "categorizing" people based on surface-level attributes? What is the impact of only be acknowledged for surface-level characteristics by others, but knowing that you have much more depth to your character? This essay has some meaningful ideas, but other ideas such as "I can be whatever I want to be" feel surface-level and somewhat generic.

Personal Statement Example #14: Law Career

One great way to have interesting ideas is to show things that you find fascinating that other people may find boring. This essay describes how a judge mandating "reprimands for speeding tickets might be dull for some," but how they find it interesting. Everything, even the seemingly mundane, has interesting aspects if you're willing to look closely enough. When brainstorming, ask yourself: what do I find fascinating that others find boring? What do I think is "fun" while others may think it is "hard" or boring? By following these threads, you can often find unique and compelling ideas that allow you to bring the reader into your world and show them how you see the world uniquely.

A common trap when writing a personal statement is to use a descriptive, fiction-like story to start your essay. Although this may sound like a good idea, it is often ineffective because it buries what is most interesting (your ideas and reflections) and can easily be long and drawn out. Short, concise stories with a focus can be effective introductions, but in general avoid overly descriptive storytelling to start your essay. Also, avoid describing things that aren't critical to your main point. There is little to no benefit in describing things like "I smoothed my skirt and rose slowly from the chair." Focus on why your stories matter, rather than telling stories in a descriptive manner.

This essay does have some reflections, particularly about how the author discovered their passion for law by joining the Youth Court. However, most of these ideas end there, and there aren't any deep, unique ideas. The closest the author comes to having a unique and compelling idea is the final sentence where they write "the value of prioritizing the common good above individual success." This could be a fascinating topic to explore, but ultimately is cut short because it is tagged onto the ending. Your focus when brainstorming and drafting should be to have specific and original ideas—ideas that are not generic, not cliché, and not surface-level. To get to those ideas, ask yourself probing questions like "Why" and "How" over and over.

Personal Statement Example #15: My Asian Experience

Personal Statement Example #16: Secrets of Riddles

Common App Prompt #6: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? (250-650 words)

As I was going to St. Ives, Upon the road I met seven wives; Every wife had seven sacks, Every sack had seven cats: Cats, sacks, and wives, How many were going to St. Ives?

The riddles of life were not as straightforward as the puzzles in my books and websites. In fact, they were not straightforward at all, like winding mazes of philosophical quandary.

One of the most thought-provoking subjects that preoccupies my mind regards the existence of aliens. Initially, my mind was settled on the possibility of intelligent life. A universe so big could not possibly be lifeless.

As for the solution to the riddle at the start:

How many were going to St. Ives?

This essay does well by having a unique central topic—riddles—which allows the author to draw out interesting ideas related to this theme. Your topic doesn't necessarily need to be profound or hugely significant, because this author shows how you can take a seemingly unimportant topic and use it to make meaningful connections. In this essay, riddles grow to represent something greater than the activity itself, which is something you can do with almost any topic.

One of the most effective ways to "show, not tell" is to use specific and tangible examples. This essay does a great job of exemplifying their ideas. Rather than just saying "I enthralled my friends with questions," the author also shows this: "Over peanut butter and sliced ham, I assumed the role of story teller..." Examples are always more convincing because they are proof, and allow the reader to interpret for themselves. Don't tell the reader what you want them to think. Instead, set up moments that guide the reader to come to those conclusions themselves.

This conclusion connects back to the beginning, which is generally a good idea as it creates a cohesive structure. However, this ending doesn't quite make sense in the context of the riddle. Rather than creating new meaning, it comes off as arbitrary and contrived. Make sure your conclusion isn't creative just for creative-sake, and instead also has significant meaning attached to it.

Personal Statement Example #17: Rubik's Cube

Personal Statement Example #18: Narrative Diversity

If your cultural background or identity is an important part of who you are, then writing about it can make for a compelling essay. Often times in college admissions, Asian-Americans in particular are advised to "hide" their ethnic background, because it can be perceived to hurt their application. This student embraces their Asian heritage by recognizing ways in which they faced societal barriers. As this essay shows, regardless of your identity, there are unique aspects you can delve into that can make for compelling topics.

This essay does a great job of reflecting upon previously held beliefs, such as "I unconsciously succumbed to the 'reserve and quiet' Asian stereotype," and challenging them. Questioning your beliefs and where they came from can often be a good starting point for interesting reflection. Showing your new perspectives over time also conveys self-growth. Ask yourself: what did I once believe (in regards to myself, an activity, other people, etc.), what do I believe now, and how has this changed?

Rather than starting off with an activity and then reflecting upon it, this student takes a different approach. By introducing an interesting idea (the representation of underrepresented groups in media) and then later connecting to their activities, it makes the incorporation of those extracurriculars seem more appropriate and natural. The last thing you want to do is list your activities plainly, but it's still important to reference them. One strategy to naturally talk about your activities and accomplishments is to attach them to interesting ideas, as this essay shows.

Personal Statement Example #19: Search for Dreams

Common App Prompt #7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (250-650 words)

The diamond leaves of gnarled oak trees throw spectrums of color onto mounds of frosty snow that gleam melancholily under the moonlight. The leaves chime as wind violently rustles them in a haunting melody. I splinter a leaf off its branch and inspect the shard of my illusion, eyes dancing with amusement.

As I dwell in my worries, a cold hand reaches from behind me and taps my shoulder.

I jerk away, fear bubbling in my amygdala as I look into the nonexistent eyes of my intruding visitor.

The moon illuminates a blob of pink squish as it draws back slowly, points its spindly hands towards my drink and asks: “Could I have some of that?”

The blob wipes its invisible mouth with its nonexistent sleeve. I ask: “What are you?”

The blob tells me to stop looking at it so suspiciously. “I can prove it,” It says. I tell it, please, go ahead.

Suddenly we are back in the glowing forest. “Diamonds? Pah!” The blob dismisses them. Instantly, the leaves turn solid gold, the snow melts, and the wintry world is thrown into a blistering summer.

The blob laughs heartlessly. “Your cortex is under my control,” it says smugly.

“I heard you had a question for me?” It taps its invisible ears knowingly.

The blob wriggles its invisible brows as it waits.

It smiles that wicked smile. It laughs that sinful laugh. Then that insufferable blob wakes me up.

As I sit up in the dark and rub my bleary eyes, I am vaguely aware of the deep­set unfulfillment settling itself inside me. I yawn and plop back into bed, the soft red glow of my alarm clock indicating that it is still before midnight.

One thing is for sure about this essay: it has a unique idea that has surely not been written before. Regardless of your topic, you want your essay to be unique in some way, even if it isn't as fantastical as this essay. You can use a unique structure, such as having central symbolism, metaphor, or being structured as a recipe, for example. But this can easily become "gimmicky" if it doesn't have a clear purpose. In general, the most effective way to have a unique essay is to focus on having deep and unique ideas and reflections. By focusing on interesting takeaways and connections that are ultra-specific to you and your experiences, your essay will standout regardless of the structure.

This essay uses a lot of fiction-like writing that is fantastical and "flowery." Although moments of this kind of writing can make your essay more vivid, it is quite easy to end up with dense storytelling and descriptions that ultimately don't share anything interesting about you. The purpose of your essay is ultimately to learn about you: your values, your ideas, your identity, etc. By using dense story-like writing, it can be easy to lose focus of what admissions officers are looking for. In general, avoid writing "fancy" stories like this essay, unless you have a clear and distinct purpose for doing so. Everything in your essay should have a purpose in "going somewhere" (i.e. reaching interesting ideas and takeaways).

This essay is definitely creative, but lacks meaningful takeaways and ideas. By the end of the essay, we don't know much about the author besides the fact that they have an affinity for creative writing and are "on a search." Although the content is unique, the end result comes off as quite generic and surface-level because no interesting thoughts are explored deeply. The most interesting part of this essay is "I open my mouth and ask it my most crucial question," but this is super unsatisfying because the question is never divulged. Instead, the reader is teased by this fantasy story and the essay goes nowhere meaningful, which comes off as gimmicky and "creative for creative's sake," rather than deeply personal and interesting.

This essay ends on the idea of "continuing my search," but for what exactly? It is never explained, elaborated, or even implied (besides one reference to painting earlier). That makes this conclusion comes off as somewhat surface-level and uninteresting. Admissions officers won't care about "your search" unless they have a reason to care. That is, unless it tells something specific about you. On it's own, this idea of "exploring" and "searching" is meaningless because it is too broad and unelaborated.

Personal Statement Example #20: Recipe for Success

Step 1: Collect the ingredients

Step 2: Marinate the meat

Step 3: Wrap the dumplings

Step 4: Boil or pan-fry?

Step 5: Share and enjoy!

This essay has a clearly unique format in that it is structured as a dumpling recipe. By walking the reader through each step of dumpling-making, the student is able to explore various ideas and use the dumpling process as a metaphor for their own self-discovery. Having a creative structure like this can be beneficial, so long as you also have compelling ideas and the structure isn't unique just for the sake of being unique.

This whole essay is one big metaphor: the student compares their self-growth to the process of making dumplings. In doing so, the student introduces their heritage, while also having a creative literary device that they can use to explore various topics. By having a "central theme" such as this essay does, it makes it easier to explore a variety of ideas and activities, without seeming like you're listing them.

Struggles are one of the most defining aspects of self-development, and admissions officers are interested to see how you have overcome challenges. These difficulties don't need to be extreme tragedies or insurmountable obstacles, but everyone has faced difficulties. By reflecting upon those difficulties, you can draw out interesting ideas, showcase vulnerability, and express your personality.

What You Can Learn From These Personal Statement Examples

With these 20 Personal Statement examples, you can get inspired and improve your own essays. If you want to get accepted into selective colleges this year, your essays need to make you stand out.

These 20 examples show how real students got into highly selective schools and teach us several lessons for writing your own successful Personal Statement essay:

• Write a compelling first sentence that grabs the reader
• Be specific and reference things by name
• Tell a meaningful story
• Reflect on your life and identity. Be self-aware.

If you enjoyed these personal statement examples, check out some of our top Common App Essays , which are also personal statements essays, but for the Common Application.

Which of these personal statement examples was your favorite?

Meet the Author

Ryan Chiang

I'm Ryan Chiang and I created EssaysThatWorked.com - a website dedicated to helping students and their families apply to college with confidence & ease. We publish the best college admissions essays from successful applicants every year to inspire and teach future students.

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4 Communication Goals

Communication is fundamental to human relationships. Interaction, of all types, attempt several possible outcomes:

• To inform and give instructions
• To influence and persuade
• To convey emotion and perception
• Ask questions in hopes of obtaining information
• Express wants and needs
• Develop relationships and socialize
• Social etiquette
• To reassure or comfort
• Share ideas and opinions

Influence concerning how our parent figures raised us, our culture, our experiences, and our personality affects our communication style and the way we come off to others.

Consequently, being intentional with how we communicate can improve all relationships, including personal and professional. The way to be intentional with how we communicate is to work toward a specific set of communication goals.

What are Communication Goals?

Communication goals are specific aims to communicate information and emotion by more effective means.

Communication goals are broad in concept, so they need to be specific within the context of the particular types of communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual) as well as the relevant categories in life (personal, parental, romantic, friendship, and professional).

Types of Communication

The connotation surrounding the word “communication” typically conjures an image of communicating through speaking. But there are several types of communication , including verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual.

Verbal Communication

Speaking and oral communication is considered verbal communication utilized through language and words. There are four types of verbal communication (intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and public) which include:

• Presentations (small group)
• Speeches (public)
• Announcements (public)
• Conversation (interpersonal and small group)
• Discussions (interpersonal and small group)
• Official statements (public)
• Singing (all types)
• Talking to one’s self (intrapersonal)

The tone of the verbal communication depends on the relationship between the speaker and the audience. For example, an official statement from a politician is going to differ in tone from a parent saying goodnight to their child.

Written Communication

Written communication is communicating via written correspondence utilizing the written word in some of the following ways:

• Instant messaging
• Text messaging

Based on the relationship between the writer and the reader, the tone of the written communication may change. For example, a letter from a husband overseas mailed to his wife may convey emotional (and sentimental) connection; whereas, an internal office memo may transmit professional communication to employees.

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is cues received from facial expression and body language . Non-verbal communication can be tricky because we all hold a preconceived connotation of what particular facial expressions and body language represent.

For example, one person might hold the perception that lazy people slouch, and another person may hold the opinion that slouching represents exhaustion.

However, although there can be cultural differences in how one perceives nonverbal communication, there are several universal non-communication cues studied by Charles Darwin :

Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal and written communication, if not more so. Nonverbal communication can reveal the truth behind any contradictory statement.

For example, your romantic partner could verbally communicate that he/she is excited for your extended opportunity in another country while the nonverbal communication of teary eyes tells a more profound truth about what your partner may be feeling.

Visual Communication

Although nonverbal communication could be categorized as a type of visual communication because we are “seeing” the communication through body language and facial expressions, there are several additional types of visual communication that are specific to the created medium:

• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Industrial Design
• Advertising
• Electronic Resources

The Anatomy of Communication

Along with the platform type of how your communication is delivered, what is the anatomy of effective communication? In other words, what makes for effective communication?

Seven main elements make up the anatomy of effective communication, and they are called the seven C’s of communication.

Clear communication means your intended message should be unambiguous. Ambiguous statements can confuse the other party plus tamper with the connotation of the words. For example:

Vague statement: Mark saw a man on a hill with a telescope. Examination: Did Mark use a telescope to see a man on the hill? Or was the man on the hill looking at Mark with a telescope? Or did Mark see a man on a hill that also has a telescope on it? A clear message: By looking through his telescope, Mark saw a man sitting on a hill.

Concise communication means being precise and straight to the point without any filler or fluff. Being concise means avoiding long, redundant, and winding sentences and using the least amount of words possible to communicate your message. For example:

Redundant statement: Let me briefly summarize the next period of four days before you all get your free gift.

Concise message: I’ll summarize the next four days, then hand out gifts.

Concrete communication includes specific facts and figures so that there is no room for misinterpretation. For example:

Non-specific statement: Make sure you get that report in this evening.

Concrete statement: The 2019 Financial Statement Report needs to be on my desk by 5 pm.

Correct communication means you need to use the right, or proper and fitting language in your message as well as well timed. Communicating correctly builds credibility. For example:

Incorrect statement: I believe 1+1=2. Correct message: It’s a fact that 1+1=2.

Consideration

Consideration communication is the act of considering the speaker’s beliefs, knowledge, background, and mindset. To communicate effectively, you must consider these things and relate in some way to the target recipient of your message.

For example, if employee Mark says to his coworker Steve, “I’m having a hard time finishing this report,” and Steve replies, “Well, you need to work harder,” Steve most likely isn’t communicating considerately.

If Steve took into consideration that Mark has a newborn baby at home, a sick wife, and a recently passed father, he might respond considerately, “I don’t blame you, Mark. You have a lot going on right now. Let me know how I can help.”

Complete communication provides all the relevant information to the intended party. The relevant information will give the recipient answers to any pertinent questions which will allow them to make a well-informed decision.

For example, a doctor who communicates thoroughly will provide a sick patient with all treatment options so the patient can make an informed decision on how to proceed. If the doctor only provided one treatment option, the patient would not have a perceived choice in the matter.

Courteous communication includes positive and unbiased messages , as well as terms appropriate for the recipient. For example:

Discourteous message: Unlike most people, I am never wrong.

Courteous message: Everyone messes up at some point, especially me!

Why you Should Set Communication Goals

We know there are different types of communication, as detailed above (verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual), that serve as a platform in delivering that type of communication from person to person. But without strong communication development, these communication platforms become ineffective.

You need communication goals.

Establishing communication goals, and working toward those goals, develops communication strengths and skills . Merely wanting to communicate more effectively certainly won’t get you anywhere without setting an end goal and actively working toward that goal.

Keeping the seven C’s of communication in mind, goals can be structured using the proven S.M.A.R.T. method.

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Vague or ambiguous goals have no direction. As previously stated, only wanting to communicate more effectively won’t naturally drive you in that direction alone. Action and specificity are required to reach goals.

Following a detailed goal plan or map (and continuously checking in on progress) has been scientifically proven to lead to success. Alternatively, those who don’t follow a specific, well-thought-out plan have proven to be the least likely to succeed in reaching their goals.

A S.M.A.R.T goal is more than just a catchy acronym. It’s a method of explicitly planning and mapping out your goals, which is why it is one of the most effective goal setting methods. S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based.

For example, Sam is exhausted by the lack of communication between his team members regarding completed and uncompleted communal tasks. Sam wants to increase effective communication with his employees to avoid duplicate work.

Sam might utilize the S.M.A.R.T. method accordingly:

S pecific: send the team a weekly report via email detailing the completed tasks and upcoming tasks, as well as assignments for the employee’s future jobs.

M easurable: run report which will detail any duplicated tasks completed. Each week should show a decline in duplicate tasks completed.

A ttainable: require an email response from employees to confirm the information was received, as well as prove they have accepted their tasks assignments.

R ealistic: all team members have access to email and the task report.

T ime-based: implement immediately and execute effective Monday.

Parent/Child Communication

You’ve most likely heard the sentiment, “children are like sponges.” Based on the historical truth that children observe their surroundings, they take on the influence of their parents.

The good news is if a child’s parent(s) are effective in their communication with their child, that child, in turn, will most likely be an effective communicator as they mature.

In addition to raising effective communicators, healthy communication between parent(s) and children results in boundless positive enforcement. Here are a few examples:

• Increased child’s self-esteem
• Instilled respect for themselves and others
• Builds trust
• Children listen to parents
• Higher feelings of security and safety

How to Set Parent/Child Communication Goals

Although it’s best to start healthy communication habits when your child is young, it’s never too late to establish parent/child communication goals. Here are some examples of types of parent/child goals:

• Send positive (instead of negative) messages
• Use age-appropriate language
• Build stronger eye contact habits
• Give undivided attention when communicating verbally
• Decrease the number of times I interrupt my child
• Respond to my child’s statements to show I heard them
• Decrease lectures and speeches
• Schedule fun weekly family meetings
• Use more “I” messages
• Be more flexible when solving problems with my child
• Work on one issue at a time, so my child and I don’t get overwhelmed.

After deciding which type of goal to pursue, create a map using the S.M.A.R.T. method and note the applicable C’s of communication.

When creating your S.M.A.R.T. goal map, take into consideration that by setting parent/child communication goals you will need more than just a task list. Children can tell when you are just going through the motions, which can negatively affect the balance in the communication between parent and child.

Romantic Partner Communication

Romantic relationships are a large part of our lives, and one that needs constant communication and fine tuning. As human connection is deeply rooted in emotion, as previously stated, so are romantic relationships. It’s no wonder that communication is so important in romantic relationships.

Strengthening your communication skills in your romantic relationships will, in turn, enhance the relationship as a whole.

How to Set Romantic Partner Communication Goals

A few examples of romantic communication goals could be:

• Listen to my partner so I can understand their communication before responding with my own
• Find the right time to communicate, instead of blurting out what I want to say whenever I immediately want to say it.
• With serious communications, communicate face to face by removing the option to text or email feelings or thoughts.
• Communicate more via text or email throughout the day so we can stay connected.
• Send physical letters and emails consistently when my partner is out of town.
• Work on my aggressive communication style.
• Decrease defensiveness by changing attack language.
• Be honest rather than communicating what I think my partner wants to hear.
• Remember that body language is communication and to actively and physically turn toward my partner instead of away from them, which communicates distance.
• When I’m angry, be determined to wait a day or two before communicating my anger so that I’m calmer and able to listen more openly.
• With each serious communication session, stop to think, listen, then speak.

With romantic relationships, it’s certainly important to focus on the seven C’s of communication because the personality of your partner will mostly depend on their nature and how they become more reception through individual communication styles.

Furthermore, just as important as communicating to your partner in a way that unites the relationship is talking to your partner the way you prefer to be addressed, spoken to, and the like

Friendship Communication

Much like romantic relationships, friendships are rooted in emotion and a prevalent presence in our lives. Although, unlike romantic relationships which need constant communication, friendship communication can ebb and flow.

Each friendship will have an individual communication style. To respect the friendship relationship, it’s important to be aware of the type of communication style for each friendship you have.

For example, one friend may prefer to communicate via text and rarely meet face to face always. Whereas, another friend may not be interested in a digital communication friendship and meet face to face constantly to catch up with each other.

As you learn to respect the communication type of your friendships, it’s equally important to communicate your preferred method of communication with each friend, so the relationship is meeting your needs too.

How to Set Friendship Communication Goals

Here are some examples of friendship goals you could implement:

• Note in a planner to connect with friends
• When life gets too busy to meet friends face to face monthly, continue communication via email, text, or Skype.
• Plan more fun experiences together, instead of constant rant fests.
• Increase the amount I ask them how they are doing.
• Take away one element of their life they communicate to me and ask them about it the next time we meet.
• Listen to friends when they say they are busy and decrease the pressure to meet face to face.
• Actively improve eye contact, so my friend knows I am engaged, which will help me listen to them more effectively .

If you choose to implement the first goal on the list (note in planner to connect with friends), your S.M.A.R.T. goal may look like:

S pecific: Note in planner every month to reach out to friends.

M easurable: can observe if catching up more often, and consistently, will improve the depth of our relationship instead of getting caught up on the surface conversations.

A ttainable: I can check in with my friends each month, even if they don’t reach out first.

R ealistic: my schedule realistically could include friend activities each month, if not more.

T ime-based: Note in my planner a month after I’ve reached out to each friend.

Value your friendships by maintaining them through communication and contact. Likewise, be aware that your friends value you enough as a friend to communicate with you as well. You can effectively communicate with your friends, but if they do not reciprocate communication, they are not respecting your friendship.

Professional Communication

Professional communication includes the types of communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual) conducted within a professional arena, as well as out of the professional field when considering outbound emails.

Secure professional communication provides the recipient with correct data accurately and understandably, along with using the seven C’s of communication.

In order to professionally communicate accurately and understandably, improving your writing (memos, emails, reports), visual (presentation graphics, social media), verbal (presentations, meetings), and nonverbal (confidence, eye contact) communication skills becomes relevant.

How to Set Professional Communication Goals

Some examples of professional communication goals are:

• Be more relatable by being a courteous communicator
• Diversify communication delivery
• Broaden the scope for employees so they can see the bigger picture (communicate the story of the business so they can feel a part of it)
• Share my purpose along with sharing the meaning of each required task
• Remain present when a coworker or subordinate is sharing
• Prioritize messages, to address the most important communications first
• Use more storytelling in my presentations to communicate in a more relatable manner
• Invest in employees by listening to their ideas and expressing my thoughts on those ideas
• Create interest in the daily grind by delivering incentives

Develop your goal map with the S.M.A.R.T. method and the seven C’s of communication in mind. Using the last professional communication goal on the list (create interest in the daily grind by communicating incentive), the S.M.A.R.T. goal map may look like:

S pecific: send weekly task report via email along with a weekly incentive for the highest producer.

M easurable: track the increase of productivity by comparing each weekly report, and communicating the positive results to the team weekly to get them revved up.

A ttainable: Examine employee behavior (increased interest in work tasks) to confirm incentive will produce positive results.

R ealistic: ensure all team members have the capability and confidence to produce high numbers by communicating with them individually.

T ime-based: spend the next week planning incentive ideas, and how they will be rated, communicate the incentives to my team via meeting on Monday. Each Friday, hand out incentive rewards.

Throughout developing your professional communication skills, gather feedback from your co-workers and subordinates. Although we may be proud of a particular presentation or memo, it may not communicate professionally or accurately.

Self-Communication

Yes, communication with ourselves is just as important as parental, personal, and professional communication. By refining our self-communication, we become more aware of ourselves and how we might impact others.

For example, communicating in a way we think is helpful toward someone might actually come off as being controlling to the other party. By observing our behaviors and talking with ourselves about those behaviors, we can become more aware and positive of how we influence or come off to others.

Additionally, self-communication will strengthen our confidence, our awareness of others’ communication styles, and become an overall happier person.

How to Set Self Communication Goals

Setting self-communication goals must begin by observing how we currently self communicate. By being fully informed of how we communicate with ourselves, we can then begin to improve certain aspects of our prove. Here are a few examples of self-communication goals:

• Examine internal dialogue and promote the positive dialogue
• Integrate mindfulness every day to continue to stay aware of my self-communication
• Utilize a journal for present self-communication, but also reference when studying my self-communication
• When communicating with others, pay more attention to their response cues to further improve the way I interact with others.

Meditation, journaling, gratitude, and self-observance strengthens self-communication. Using these means, create a goal map using the S.M.A.R.T. method and the seven C’s of communication. Utilizing the first self-communication goal (examine internal dialogue and improve positive critical), your goal map might look like:

S pecific: write in a journal at the end of each day, zoning in specifically on self talk.

M easurable: at the end of each week, read back through the journal to determine if the negative self-talk is consistently decreasing.

A ttainable: creating a habit of writing in my journal at night, in bed, and before sleep will create a consistent document that holds self-communication.

R ealistic: journaling only takes a few minutes each day.

T ime-based: I will begin journaling immediately tonight, and review journal notes each Sunday.

It’s essential to take the seven C’s of communication into account as you set and implement your S.M.A.R.T. communication goals. By only utilizing the S.M.A.R.T. method of setting communication goals without executing the values of the seven C’s, most likely you are just going through the emotions of each step checking off each step in a detached manner.

However, because human communication is deeply rooted in emotion, checking off steps in a detached manner will not accomplish any strengthening of communication skills. It’s imperative that you marry your S.M.A.R.T. goal map with the seven C’s of communication for a fully transformative goal. In other words, your goal map will guide you toward your goal, whereas the seven C’s will make those goals effective.

Establishing communication goals isn’t only a process to get us to the end point, more efficient communication, but also instills skills that we will positively utilize in multiple areas of our lives. Furthermore, although transformation occurs by reaching specific communication goals, as humans, there will always be room for growth in communication behavior.

Using the skills that have strengthened our communication with others in all areas will also transform us to more empathetic, effective, understanding, as well as a better listener, partner, parent, employee, and overall human.

What are your communication goals?

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• Knowledge Base
• Applying to graduate school
• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

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Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

Communication Style Development Goals Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

How we communicate with others undoubtedly has a dramatic, profound, and sometimes permanent effect on how we are perceived as a person in general and certainly determines what kind of reaction we are likely to evoke from those around us at a given moment. In this regard, I would like to improve my communication strategies and easily navigate in cases where it is necessary to apply one or another style of communication that is appropriate for the situation. At the moment, an important goal of developing my personal communication is to convey my thoughts to the interlocutor. It is sometimes problematic for me, as I am used to thinking quickly, and sometimes I need more time to formulate my thoughts clearly. Since this is the main cause of most communication failures in personal, unprepared communication, my goal now is to learn how to convey my ideas to the addressees more clearly and legibly.

Now I am at the beginning of my journey to achieve my goal. Recently, I started to train my diction, and I also try to read more to immerse myself in competent speech and expand my vocabulary. However, personal communication is influenced by many factors, such as the environment, emotions, feelings, memory, confidence, and more (Floyd, 2021). This goal is not too extensive; however, it may take a long period of time. I suppose that in order to achieve this goal successfully, I need six months or a year to learn how to confidently and clearly formulate my thoughts in personal, spontaneous communication. I can track my progress on smaller goals that will take less time, like improving my memory or keeping a diary.

As for professional and academic communication, I do not have problems with conveying the main message since, most often, these situations involve prepared communication. However, the main communicative task of the organization is to achieve the least possible degree of uncertainty (Floyd, 2021). In the era of globalization and the spread of intercultural organizations, I consider it important to be aware of the cultural characteristics of professional communication. In this regard, I would like to learn how to conduct business communication with intercultural representatives.

This goal is very high and broad since it is impossible to study and remember the communication features of all existing cultures. Therefore, this goal can be rewritten and it will now be to study the communication styles of the countries of the most common partners in my professional field. At the moment, I am already familiar with Mexican culture, and I can establish successful business communication with them without any problems. This goal can constantly change depending on the environment in which I work, so it is impossible to track progress toward it or set a time frame. However, this has its advantages, as it allows to learn something new from the field of professional communication throughout life.

The modern dynamic format of communication and interaction of individuals in the process of cognitive and professional activity leads to the interpenetration of the genres of public speaking to the blurring of the boundaries between them. The format of modern public speaking dictates the need to take into account the strategies of speech impact and various tactics that ensure the effectiveness of communication (Floyd, 2021). I would like to master various tactics of academic discourse, so this will be my main goal in improving academic communication. It will allow me to feel more confident during my studies and help me in my professional activities. At the moment, I already have basic speaking skills in front of an audience, so a full familiarization with possible tactics can be done during the semester.

Effective communication skills are one of the most important and necessary skills to cope with any situation in life. The chances of success at work and in society, gaining respect from friends and family, children, spouse, boss, or colleagues, depend on how effectively one communicates. Although many people recognize their inefficiency in terms of communication, each of us can develop effective communication skills over time through practice.

Effective communication can build trust, help people understand a person better, gain someone’s respect, and develop relationships with others. It is necessary to establish reliable contact, as well as to strengthen relationships as needed. Good personal communication can help people share their concerns and feelings with others (Floyd, 2021). Effective presentation of one’s thoughts is necessary to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts; in addition, it will help in the development of friendships and contacts.

People need to be able to speak effectively and confidently, as well as listen and understand the thoughts and ideas of another person. In this regard, I strive to achieve my set goal in professional communication. Effective communication is necessary to change other people’s behavior, properly attuning them to the perception of something and obtaining information from the interlocutor (Nash et al., 2022). That will create a friendly atmosphere in the team and reduce stress when communicating with new people.

With the help of effective communication, unnecessary problems in the team can be avoided. It can be useful in decision-making, formulating conclusions, and solving problems through interaction in conflict situations. Working in a team or group of like-minded people also requires successful communication skills (Floyd, 2021). Achievement, both professionally and academically, largely depends on discourse skills. The speaker must have the confidence to influence people and consider their points of view. In this regard, mastering the tactics of public speaking and generally effective communication can help me in my academic, professional, and personal fields, as well as influence my internal development.

Interpersonal communication involves the exchange of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and emotions face-to-face between two or more people. It includes both verbal and non-verbal elements of personal interaction. At the moment, my strengths as an interpersonal communicator are active listening, teamwork, flexibility, and responsibility. I would also like to develop interpersonal leadership skills, as this includes effective decision-making.

In the conditions of modern society, communication has many means for implementation. Increasingly, this is happening through online channels. For me, non-verbal communication is important in communication, which is sometimes difficult to follow during online learning. Traditional graphic signs and symbols, as well as other non-verbal means of communication, are responsible for conveying the emotional component of communication; they influence the recipient of the message, but this still applies to informal communication and is not always acceptable in academic communication. Thus, I would like to improve my understanding of non-verbal communication in a remote environment.

As for my interpersonal communication in terms of career, I would like to master persuasive communication but not exceed the ethics of interpersonal interactions. In a situation of professional communication, it is necessary to observe a certain official style of communication. It also includes the need to explain the issue in detail to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts. Improving the identified areas will make me feel more confident and contribute to my impact on my career.

Floyd, K. (2021). Interpersonal Communication . McGraw-Hill Education.

Nash, M., Lewis, B., Szempruch, J., Jacobs, S., & Silver, S. (2022). Together, apart: Communication Dynamics among academic librarians during the COVID-19 pandemic . College & Research Libraries , 83 (6). Web.

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13 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Communication Skills

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Communication is one of those interpersonal skills that you may not think you need much help with.

You may think, “Communication is easy, I can relay a message to another person!”

But communication is so much more than being able to shoot someone an email.

The methods we use to communicate with each other is continuously changing. While Zoom may have been familiar to only a small portion of the business population two years ago, it’s now an everyday method of communication that employees from businesses worldwide have become very familiar with.

The truth is that we now have a growing variety of choices when it comes to modes of communication. And a lot of the methods that we once used to communicate are becoming less relevant as time goes on, and communication barriers that we once faced (like physical distance) is no longer an issue.

So it’s no wonder that having good communication skills has continuously ranked as the #1 most sought-after skill by employers. And it’s not as easy to come by as you may think. Being a good communicator means that you’re a skilled listener , you can interpret non-verbal communication, you can pick up on other people’s emotions , and you know the right questions to ask when you’re having a conversation .

If you can do all of these things in addition to delivering messages in a clear and concise way, there’s a good chance you know how to get what you want , overcome obstacles , make friends, build rapport with colleagues, and gain respect from others.

But, being able to do all of those things, and being able to do them well , is a tall order.

Engaging in proper communication is a complex task due to the complicated nature of human thought processes. ( Learn more about the elements of communication here. )

It can be difficult to formulate your thoughts into words, and even more challenging to voice your message in a way that will be interpreted by your audience the way you intend it to be. Your statements may be misunderstood–or worse, you could be caught using faulty logic , which could open you up to criticism.

Think back to a time when you’ve felt misunderstood. Maybe you got accused of giving someone a “look” that you were oblivious to, or someone took your quick response to something you wrote in a hurry as being rude. Think not only of the trouble that could have been avoided with more clear communication, but also the feelings that could have been spared and the time that could have been saved from others who dwelled on these momentary lapses of proper communication.

Think of the consequences that could result, should one of these misunderstandings lay the foundation for a potential employer’s first impression of you. Or, what if it’s a first date who misinterprets your message? Poor communication can have a strong negative influence on your life’s journey, which could be easily avoided if you were to be more intentional about your interpersonal interactions.

And having good business communication skills isn’t just important for your professional wellbeing– it’s also an important factor whenever you’re a part of a team. Research consistently shows that communication plays a vital role in the success of teams and maintaining a positive team dynamic.

But, whether you’re unintentionally misleading–or even offending– the person you’re talking to, ineffective communication can lead to unnecessary conflict, low company morale, and missed opportunities.

So in this article, we are going to look at seven SMART goals that you can use to help improve your communication skills. Even if you think you’re a pretty good communicator, it’s worth it to set some goals in this area because this is a skill that will continue to look different as technology continues to evolve.

But first, let’s define SMART goals more clearly so you can recognize the value in this goal-setting strategy.

Table of Contents

What Is a SMART Goal?

SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When your goals meet all of these criteria, it’s nearly impossible to fail. Setting your goals according to the SMART goal framework ensures that you have a solid plan in place for achieving your objectives.

Let’s break down each component of a SMART goal.

SMART goals are:

• Specific- The statement is narrow and it answers the questions who, what, when , where and why .
• Measurable- You can clearly define how you will know you’re making progress along the way or at what point you’ve reached your goal.
• Achievable- It is reasonable to accomplish your goal by the deadline that you’ve set. It is not so far out of reach that it is impossible to achieve.
• Relevant- Your goal aligns with your long-term plans and your values.
• Time-bound – SMART goals are limited by a set deadline, which will keep you motivated and ensure you prioritize reaching your goal. 

These elements work together to create clear goals that are trackable and within your ability and skill set to achieve. If you haven’t been successful with meeting your goals in the past, they were probably poorly-written, making them impossible to manage. However, when you’re using the SMART goal structure, your goals will start with a solid foundation that sets you up for success.

Let’s take a look at some examples of SMART goals that you could use if you’re trying to improve your communication skills. Depending on the goal and where you are on your journey to better communication, you can change around the numbers a bit to suit your needs.

1. Encourage Quieter Team members to Speak Up

“Over the next six weeks, I will balance the communication dynamic on my team by encouraging quieter team members to speak up and reminding more talkative members that we want to hear from everyone. I will do this by giving verbal reminders throughout all team meetings.”

S : This statement sets forth exactly what this person plans on doing in order to balance the communication dynamic among his team members.

M : Each meeting over the next six weeks counts as one step toward meeting this goal.

A : This is an achievable goal.

R : This goal is relevant for any leader who wants to ensure the success of their team.

T : This goal-setter will practice this goal for six weeks.

2. Do a Mental head-to-Toe Language Check

“For the next week, I’ll do a mental head-to-toe body language check whenever I have a conversation that lasts over one minute to increase my self-awareness of my non-verbal communication.”

S : This SMART goal states this person’s plan to improve their self-awareness of their non-verbal communication so they can actively work to improve it.

M : Each conversation that lasts over one minute over the next seven days counts as one unit of measurement.

R : This is a relevant goal for those who want to improve their non-verbal communication.

T : This goal will be completed in seven days.

3. Keep an Open Mind

“For the next four weeks, I will keep an open mind while talking to other people. I will do this by verbally empathizing with others’ points of view whenever I don’t share their opinion.”

S : This goal articulates this person’s plan to keep an open mind when talking to people who have opinions that differ from the goal setter’s.

M : Each conversation that this person has over the next four weeks with someone he disagrees with will count as one unit.

A : This is an achievable goal, especially for those who have a lot of conversations on polarizing topics.

R : This is a relevant goal for people who want to expand their mindset and foster a culture of open-mindedness and respect.

T : This goal will be complete in four weeks.

4. Initiate Conversations

“Over the next two months, I will initiate at least one conversation per week with a stranger to increase my confidence when talking to people from different backgrounds.”

S : This goal describes this person’s plan to increase their confidence when talking to people who come from a different background.

M : This person must initiate at least one conversation per week over the next two months, so eight conversations overall.

A : This is an achievable goal for those who want to be inclusive of diverse perspectives.

R : This is a relevant goal for people who are in the beginning stages of their communication-improvement plan.

T : This goal will be complete in two months.

5. Plan Before Communicating

“In order to reduce barriers to proper communication, I will improve my planning prior to communicating by considering the goals, needs, and attitudes of my audience, in addition to how others will be impacted by my message. I will do this intentionally prior to sending any written communication until June 1st.”

S : This person’s goal is to reduce the breakdown of communication by intentionally planning and thinking through all written communication until June 1st.

M : Each written form of communication between now and June 1st is one unit of measurement.

R : This is a relevant goal for those who want to minimize barriers to proper communication.

T : This goal will be complete by June 1st.

6. Make Office Conducive to Listening

“By the end of the week, I will make my office more conducive to being a good listener by removing distractions, setting a chair up for people to speak with me at eye-level, and posting a “come in” sign on my door.”

S : This person’s goal is to actively work on their listening skills by creating an environment that is conducive to doing so.

M : This person has three tasks to complete by the end of the week.

R : This is a relevant goal for anyone who wants to focus on the receiving part of their communication skills.

T : This goal will be complete by Friday afternoon.

7. Plan Before Making Commitments

“I will spend 10 minutes focusing on a plan for following through prior to making any promises for the rest of the month. When my actions contradict my promises, others will discount my words, so I will carefully consider the impact of my commitments before I make them and I will alter my message accordingly before sending it.”

S : This person will spend time analyzing the potential impact of their messages before they’re relayed in order to ensure they can follow through on their words with appropriate action.

M : This person will do this for 10 minutes before making any promises for the rest of the month.

R : This is a relevant goal for those who want their verbal communication to be trusted.

T : This goal will be complete by the end of the month.

8. Find One Person to Encourage

“I will take thirty minutes within the next week to create a plan to find one person to encourage and motivate once a week. Each week I will write a letter of encouragement motivating this person towards achieving their goals.”

S : This goal is geared toward generating encouraging written communication through creating a plan for weekly letter writing.

M: The goal calls for 30 minutes to be set aside within one week to create the plan. Also, it has been determined that letter writing occurs weekly.

A: Creating a plan can be easily done within 30 minutes. Furthermore, one letter per week does not require too much time; therefore, it will not add any undue burden to one's schedule.

R: Encouraging and motivating communication will strengthen the relationship you have with the person you are writing to.

T: A plan is to be created within one week. This allows you to be able to fit the 30 minute planning period within your schedule.

9. Solicit Feedback on My Workplace Communication

“Over the next month, I will solicit feedback from at least one individual per week on my workplace communication. Then, I will spend 30 minutes during the last week of that month creating a plan for improving my job performance based upon that feedback.”

S: This goal focuses on receiving feedback on how well you communicate at work. Moreover, it requires that you solicit this feedback from one person weekly for four weeks.

M: You can easily measure your success by counting the number of people you solicited feedback from each week. If you've had one conversation that week concerning your workplace communication for four weeks in a row, then you've been successful. Furthermore, you can easily mark off 30 minutes for a planning period. Furthermore, you can include measurements within your plan for improvement.

A: Asking one person per week to provide feedback is achievable. It doesn't require much of your time. Also, it doesn't require much effort.  In addition, four people in four weeks provide enough feedback to create an effective improvement plan. Finally, 30 minutes is enough time to create a plan.

R: Feedback is part of the communication process. It keeps the communication process going and allows you to grow as a communicator. No one is a perfect communicator. We all have areas in which we can grow. This goal will only help you in your workplace communication, which will in turn help you be a better communicator in other roles within your life.

T: By setting the time frame for communication at one per week for a month, this gives you enough time to solicit the feedback. As for the 30 minutes for planning, setting a time limit will help you stay focused during your planning.

10. Ensure Concise Wording in Emails

“In the next week, I will create an outline for each email I send to ensure that I use concise wording and to edit out any sentences that don't fit the outline before sending the email.”

S: By writing an outline for each email, you'll send better emails. They will be concise, which will allow you to stay on point and express exactly what you intended to say.

M: You can measure whether or not you achieved your goal by counting up the number of emails in your sent file and comparing that number to the number of outlines you've created. If the totals match, then you were successful.

A: Creating an outline doesn't take much time. Outlines are meant to be phrases, not complete sentences. Therefore, an outline is a simple, yet effective, way to organize the content of your emails.

R: Written communication is one of many different modes of communication. Being concise in written communication allows your ideas to come across effectively and accurately. This will help reduce communication breakdown. Plus, concise emails don't waste your reader's time.

T: One week should be plenty of time to establish a habit of outlining emails before writing them, especially if you send numerous emails per week. To develop positive communication habits, consistent repetition is required.

11. Create an Active Listening Checklist

“In the next week, take 20 minutes to create a 4-item active listening mental checklist. Then, over the following week, mentally assess your active listening during every conversation to determine if you are using active listening skills.”

S: A 4-item mental active listening checklist will require you to pay attention to your conversations to see if you're actively listening. You will have to assess your role in the conservation to determine whether or not you are using the 4 active listening skills you've included in the checklist.

M: As your conversation progresses, you can mentally check off if you have used the four skills you have included on the checklist.

A: four items is a good number of items to include on a mental checklist. You won't have to memorize too much. Plus, it won't take your attention away from the conversation. If your mental checklist is too long, you won't be able to concentrate on the conversation. Thus, you defeat the purpose of improving your active listening.

R: Effective communication requires active listening. Active listening shows the speaker that you're paying attention to them. There is a difference between listening and hearing. Listening requires you to process what you've heard and respond appropriately.

T: Again, one week should provide plenty of opportunities to implement the mental checklist. Also, 20 minutes should be enough time to create a four-item checklist.

12. Take Notes During Conversations

“For the next two weeks, take notes during conversations. Be sure to write down important information, such as instructions, dates, or times. Then, summarize your notes back to the speaker at the end of the conversation to clarify your understanding of the conversation.”

S: This goal focuses on keying in on important details of a conversation. The important details may get lost in the other bits of information during a conversation. For example, you may miss out on the date of an important event your friend wants you to attend.

M: You will be able to measure your achievement if you have at least one item in your notes at the end of every conversation.

A: You can easily jot this information down on a piece of paper. Or, you can use apps on your smart phone. It doesn't take much effort to say, “Hang on a second and let me put this on my calendar.”

R: In the midst of your daily interactions, so much can be said that it becomes easy to forget the important details. One of the purposes of communication is to inform. When someone is giving you information, your role as the listener is to process the information being presented so you can act on it. Taking notes cuts down on the chance of you not acting on the information because you forgot.

T: Two weeks will give you time to establish a habit of taking note of important details in a conversation. Again, habits result from consistent repetition.

13. Put Away Mobile Phone

“Over the next month, I will put down my cell phone when someone is speaking to me.”

S: This goal addresses a common communication block that many people create by continuing to look at their smart phone when someone is talking to them.

M: By requiring that you put down your phone for every in-person conversation, you can easily measure whether or not you've achieved your goal. If you keep looking at your phone during at least one conversation, you've not achieved your goal.

A: For some, this goal will be tough. Looking at our phones during conversations has become a bad habit, yet it's not impossible to break a bad habit. It just takes more work. Therefore, this goal is achievable with effort.

R: A communication block is anything that gets in the way of proper communication. Continuing to look at your phone while someone is attempting to talk to you definitely gets in the way of communication. It's a distraction that splits your focus. Also, it conveys the message that what you're doing on your phone is more important than what the speaker is saying.

T: Unfortunately, it takes longer to break a habit than to start one. Therefore, a month is an appropriate time limit for this goal, as opposed to a week or two.

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Communication

It would be hard to claim that there is nothing more someone could learn to improve their communication skills. For most people, improving communication skills will be a lifelong, ongoing process. You (and everyone around you) will continue to make mistakes and learn from the situations that result.

Investing your time in improving your communication skills is sure to pay off in the end. Try one or two of these SMART goals in your own life and see what you can notice and learn just in the short time it takes to complete a goal listed in this article. Chances are, once you finish one, you will be eager to start on another.

And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 11 SMART Goals Examples for Your Public Speaking Skills
• 7 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Networking Skills
• 6 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Writing Skills

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.

150 Personal Goals Examples (Copy and Paste)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

Setting personal goals can help you to gain clarity and focus. The examples of personal goals I’ll present in this article will follow the SMART framework.

The SMART goals framework puts you in the best position to achieve success. The SMART acronym stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (Doran, 1981). 

You can use this for setting long-term goals as well as your short-term goals , which will be the stepping stones for getting to where you want to go.

What are SMART Personal Goals?

Your personal goals should contain the following elements from the SMART Goals framework to maximize your chances of success:

• Specific : Aim to formulate specific targets (e.g., ‘I want to become proficient in Spanish to enhance my job prospects’). Focus on the who, what, when, where, and why to ensure your goals are specific.
• Measurable : Measurable aims facilitate tracking progression and confirming when the goal is met (e.g., ‘I will learn 50 new Spanish words every week’). To make your goals measurable, quantify them by including numerical or frequency variables.
• Achievable: Your goals should be realistically attainable. By ensuring your goals are achievable, you can maintain motivation and better position yourself for success.
• Relevant Goals : Relevance refers to selecting goals that matter to your personal development and professional journey, ensuring you are driven to realize them (Locke & Latham, 2019). 
• Time-Bound Goals: Deadlines render goals less susceptible to procrastination , whereas open-ended goals may be relegated to ‘someday but not today. 

Personal Goals Examples

Longer-term goals.

1. Save for a Mortgage Aim to build up enough savings to afford a down-payment on a house within the next 5 years .

2. Learn a New Language Strive to become fluent in a second language to broaden your cultural understanding and professional prospects and potentially travel there!

3. Finally go Off-Grid Endeavor to get solar panels, reduce your household waste by 50%, practice mindful consumption, and eventually end up being entirely self-sufficient.

4. Travel the World Aim to visit three new countries in the next five years to expand your cultural horizons.

5. Retire Early One of my personal long-term goals is to retire before 65. If I could shave 10 years off that, I’d be amazingly happy. This takes saving extra each month

See Also: List of 10 Year Goals

6. Write your Memoir You might set as a long-term goal to write your personal memoir, and for now, you might be putting together the required information such as journal notes and newspaper clippings.

7. Run a Marathon Train and prepare yourself to run a marathon in the next 3 years.

8. Learn and Instrument In the next two years, set a goal to learn to play the piano daily until you reach a level where you can perform in a local recital.

9. Become a Partner in your Firm Plan to earn a promotion to finally become a partner in the firm in the next ten years.

10. Meditation Practice Goal Build a daily meditation habit of 20 minutes, consistently for the next 365 days, and then maybe forever.

11. Community Involvement Goal Over the coming year, commit to volunteer a minimum of 100 hours at local community centers.

12. Have Kids You and your partner might dream about having kids, but not be financially or otherwise ready, but you’d like to get there eventually.

13. Take the Kids on a Great American Roadtrip This might require you to save up a lot of money, and time off work, and also potentially require a lot of planning, which is why I put it down as a longer-term goal.

14. Move to a New Country You and your partner would love to live overseas for a whole year. It’s time to start looking into visas and the logistics and maybe you could do it the year after next!

15. Start a Business You might dream of starting a coffee shop or similar business, but need the skills, confidence , and finances to pull the trigger.

For more, see: Complete list of Long-Term Personal Goals

Shorter-Term Goals

16. Start a Fitness Habit Aim to do 30 minutes of exercise every day for the next month.

17. Mindful Eating Make a goal to eat at least three portions of fruits and vegetables a day for the next four weeks.

18. Sleep Routine Strive to establish a consistent sleep schedule, ensuring 8 hours of sleep each night this month.

19. Morning Routine Set a goal to start each day with a healthy activity such as yoga or meditation for the next 30 days.

20. Learn Basic Cooking Aim to learn and perfect five simple recipes by the end of this month.

21. Digital Detox Strive to reduce screen time by an hour each day for the entire month.

22. Daily Hydration Set a goal to drink at least eight glasses of water a day for the upcoming month.

23. Gratitude Journal Commit to writing down three things you’re grateful for each day for the next 30 days.

24. Fun Reading Endeavor to read a novel or a non-academic book this month.

25. New Hobby Set a goal to take up a new hobby, such as knitting or painting, over the next month.

26. Daily Walks Aim to take a 20-minute walk every day for the next four weeks.

27. Deep Cleaning Strive to deep-clean one area of your home each week for the upcoming month.

28. Plant Care Set a goal to start an indoor herb garden or window garden over the next month.

29. Reduce Caffeine Endeavor to lower your caffeine consumption by half for the next 30 days.

30. Social Media Cleanse Commit to unfollowing irrelevant accounts and subscribing to educational or inspiring ones over the next month.

Career Goals

31. Leadership Skills Aim to improve leadership skills by taking on leading roles in team projects over the next work quarter.

32. Get Certified Strive to gain certification in a particular skill relevant to your career within this fiscal year.

33. Enhance Networking Extend your professional network by attending at least three industry-related events in the upcoming months.

34. Time Management Improve your time management skills by completing tasks ahead of deadlines for the next six consecutive months.

35. Promotion Aim to earn a promotion by consistently showing initiative and exceeding expectations over the course of the year.

36. Expertise Development Strive to become an expert in a specific area of your field within the next two years.

37. Mentorship Seek to find a career mentor who works in your desired role or industry within the next three months. 

See More Mentorship Goals Here

38. Training Programs Enroll and complete a professional training or workshop related to your job profile within the next six months.

39. Communication Aim to enhance communication skills by leading team meetings or presenting at industry conferences over the next year.

See More Communications Goals Examples Here

40. Job Satisfaction Strive to improve job satisfaction by setting and achieving challenging but attainable work goals for the forthcoming fiscal quarter.

41. New Job Set a goal to transition into a new and more challenging role within your industry in the next two years.

42. Conference Presentation Apply and prepare to present a paper or project at a professional conference within the next year.

43. Critical Thinking Over the next six months, work on enhancing your critical thinking skills by solving complex and challenging problems at your workplace.

44. Team Building Aim to host a team-building event to nurture a healthy work environment within the upcoming work quarter.

45. Higher Education If you’re in academia or a field where further education is valued, aim to enroll or progress in a doctoral degree program related to your career field within the next two years.

See More Educational Goals:

• Professional Goals Examples
• Long-Term Career Goals

Financial Goals

46. Build an Emergency Fund Aim to save up for an emergency fund equivalent to six months of your living expenses over the next two years.

47. Debt Repayment Strive to clear off your credit card debt within the next 18 months.

48. Retirement Savings Begin contributing a set percentage of your income towards your retirement fund starting this month.

49. Investment Portfolio Aim to create a diverse investment portfolio over the next year.

50. Increased Income Set a goal to increase your annual income by pursuing new job opportunities or side gigs within the next year.

51. Frugal Living Strive to reduce your monthly spending by 10% over the next three months.

52. Home Ownership Set a goal to save for a house down payment within the next five years.

53. Regular Budgeting Aim to create and stick to a monthly budget for the next six months.

54. Improve Credit Score Strive to raise your credit score by making bill payments on time for the next year.

55. College Fund Start a college fund for your child and aim to contribute monthly for the next 18 years.

56. Charitable Donations Set a goal to contribute a certain percentage of your income to charitable causes starting this year.

57. Wealth Accumulation Create a plan to accumulate wealth equivalent to two times your current annual income in the next five years.

58. Student Loans Aim to pay off your student loans within the next five years.

59. Vacation Savings Set a goal to save enough money for your dream vacation over the next year.

60. Financial Literacy Strive to educate yourself on financial matters by reading top financial books over the next six months.

Relationship Goals

61. Regular Communication Aim to have open and honest communication with your partner every day about feelings, dreams, and fears.

62. Shared Hobby Find or cultivate a shared hobby that you can both enjoy together over the next month.

63. Couple’s Therapy Make it a priority to find a couples’ therapist and start attending monthly sessions within the next three months.

64. Set Boundaries Strive to have a conversation about boundaries and personal space in your relationship within the next week.

65. Relationship Check-ins Commit to monthly relationship check-ins where you both discuss your happiness and any potential issues.

66. Quality Time Establish a weekly date night in order to focus on each other without distractions for the subsequent three months.

67. Practice Patience Aim to be more patient and willing to listen before reacting during discussions or heated moments.

68. Active Listening Over the next month, strive to practice active listening in your daily conversations.

69. Conflict Resolution Commit to resolving conflicts in a constructive and peaceful manner for an everlasting relationship. 

70. Emotional Dependability Strive to be emotionally available and supportive to your partner in their times of need.

71. Compliment Each Other Make it a daily practice to compliment your partner.

72. Non-Judgemental Space Create a safe and non-judgemental space for open conversations within the next month.

73. Show Appreciation Endeavor to express appreciation for your partner’s efforts at least once a week.

74. Romantic Gestures Plan a surprise romantic gesture for your partner within the next month.

75. Understanding Love Languages Discuss your love languages within the next two weeks to better understand each other’s needs and expectations.

Educational Goals

76. Improve Study Habits Ambition to improve study habits by setting a solid studying timetable and stick to it over the next academic term.

77. Raise your GPA Strive to raise your GPA by at least 0.5 points this academic year.

78. Master a Subject Aim to become an expert in one subject of interest by reading related literature and seeking guidance from your tutor over the next semester.

79. Join a Club Plan to join a school club or organization to gain exposure and build networks this academic term.

80. Attend Workshops Commit to attending at least one academic workshop or seminar each month for the following academic year.

81. Course Completion Aim to complete an online course related to your field of study within the next two months.

82. Research Participation Strive to participate in a research project or conference within your campus or field of interest in the upcoming academic year.

83. Time Management Develop time management skills by following a strict schedule for the full academic year.

84. Improve Writing Skills Make a goal to improve writing skills by seeking help from writing centers or employing online resources over the next semester.

85. Academic Scholarship Apply for at least three academic scholarships within the next 12 months.

86. Classroom Participation Strive to be more active in class discussions and activities this semester.

87. Attend Office Hours Plan on regularly attending office hours to clarify doubts and build a better rapport with professors this academic year.

88. Transfer If you’re currently at a community college, set a goal to successfully transfer to a four-year university in the next academic year.

89. Apply for Internships Aim to apply for a minimum of ten internships within the scope of your future career this semester. (See Also: How to Write Internship Goals )

90. Graduation Set the goal to graduate with honors by maintaining high academic standing throughout your remaining university semesters.

• Long-Term Goals for Students
• Short-Term Goals for Students

Health And Fitness Goals

91. Regular Exercise Aim to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your routine five days a week for the next month.

92. Healthy Eating Strive to include at least five serves of fruits and vegetables in your diet each day for the next four weeks.

93. Meditation Practice Commit to meditating for ten minutes daily, for the upcoming month.

94. Shedding Pounds Set a goal to lose ten pounds through a balanced diet and exercise over the next three months.

95. Drinking More Water Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day for the next thirty days.

96. Sleep Schedule Strive to establish a consistent sleep schedule, ensuring seven to eight hours of sleep per night for a month.

97. Yoga Practice Commit to practicing yoga several times a week for increased flexibility, strength, and mental tranquility for the next two months.

98. Regular Check-ups Make it a goal to get an annual physical exam to monitor your health.

99. Mental Health Plan to attend weekly therapy or engaging in self-help activities to improve mental health over the next three months.

100. Limit Caffeine Consumption Strive to limit the intake of caffeine to two standard cups of coffee per day for the next month.

101. Dental Health Aim to brush and floss twice daily to maintain oral health for the next four weeks and beyond.

102. Limit Sugar Intake Set a goal to curb your sugar intake by eating less processed food for the next month.

103. Active Transportation Make it a goal to use active transport options such as walking or cycling for small distance travel for the next two months.

104. Healthy Cooking Aim to learn five easy and healthy recipes to replace fast food meals over the next two months.

105. Proactive Preventive Measures Commit to being proactive about preventive health measures by scheduling and attending routine screenings and health check-ups within the coming year.

Mental Health Goals

106. Practice Mindfulness Commit to practice mindfulness meditation daily for the next month, which can help manage stress and improve focus.

107. Regular Therapy Plan to attend weekly therapy sessions over the next three months to help navigate emotional challenges.

108. Positive Affirmations Start each day with positive affirmations to foster a positive view of yourself for the month ahead.

109. Balanced Lifestyle Aim to maintain a balanced lifestyle with adequate sleep, exercise, and nutritious meals, starting from the coming month.

110. Limit Screen Time Set a goal to limit your daily screen time and replace it with more fulfilling activities over the next month.

111. Expand Social Network Try to widen your social circle by joining clubs or online groups with similar interests in the coming two months.

112. Follow a Routine Strive to establish and follow a daily routine for a month to create a sense of normalcy and control.

113. Daily Journaling Commit to journal your thoughts and emotions daily for the next month as a way to process emotions.

114. Self-Care Set aside one day per week for self-care activities that you enjoy, to start from the coming week and continue for two months.

115. Stay Hydrated Make it a daily goal to consume enough water, which can positively affect your overall mental well-being, starting from today for the next 30 days.

116. Decrease Caffeine Intake Isolate one day in the upcoming week to commence reducing caffeine intake, and continue to lower the intake over the next two months.

117. Read Self-Help Books Aim to read at least one self-help book a month to gain insights and strategies for coping with mental health issues.

118. Practice Gratitude Commit to jotting down three things you’re grateful for every day for the next month.

119. Identify and Challenge Negative Thoughts Over the next two months, work on identifying negative thoughts when they occur and challenging them with positive counter-thoughts.

120. Seek Support Over the next month, reach out to at least one support group related to mental health to share experiences and learn from others.

Spiritual Goals

121. Daily Meditation Aim to incorporate at least fifteen minutes of meditation into your daily routine for the next month.

122. Spiritual Reading Set a goal to read and reflect on a spiritual text or teaching once a week for the next three months.

123. Gratitude Journal Commit to writing down three things you’re grateful for each day for the next month.

124. Mindfulness Practice Plan to practice mindfulness by focusing on the present moment daily for the next two months.

125. Acts of Kindness Aim to perform one act of kindness each day for the next four weeks, to cultivate compassion.

126. Charity Set a goal to contribute to a charitable cause you believe in once a month for the next six months.

127. Volunteer Work Plan to volunteer your time to a cause or organization aligned with your spiritual values at least once a week for the next two months.

128. Join Spiritual Community Commit to joining a local or online spiritual community and participating in their gatherings over the next month.

129. Nature Time Make it a goal to spend time in nature at least once a week for the next three months, to connect with the natural world and find inner calm.

130. Spiritual Retreat Plan to attend a spiritual retreat in the next year to deepen your spiritual journey.

131. Prayer/Mantra Aim to start and end your day with a prayer, mantra, or spiritual affirmation over the next month.

132. Life’s Purpose Take time over the next three months to define your life’s purpose from a spiritual perspective.

133. Yoga Practice Commit to doing yoga at least twice a week for the next three months, to connect body, mind, and spirit.

134. Silence Strive to observe a period of silence every day for the next month, creating space for inner reflection and peace.

135. Forgiveness Make a conscious effort over the next two months to forgive past grudges and release the burden they hold.

Family Goals

136. Quality Time Allocate a “family time” slot in your schedule at least once a week, where all family members can engage in a chosen activity together for the next three months.

137. Family Meeting Implement a monthly family meeting to discuss important matters, resolve conflicts, and plan for upcoming events, starting this month.

138. Family Meals Strive to have at least one meal per day together as a family over the next month.

139. Communication Skills Aim to improve family communication by actively practicing active listening and open dialogues in all interactions, for the next two months.

140. Healthier Lifestyle Set a family goal to adopt healthier lifestyle habits such as increased physical activity and nutritious eating habits together, starting this month.

141. Shared Chores Assign age-appropriate chores to everyone in the family, reinforcing teamwork and responsibility for the next three months.

142. Family Vacation Plan and save for a family vacation that caters to everyone’s interests in the coming year.

143. Support Community As a family, volunteer for a local charity or community event in the next six months.

144. Unplug Time Set a goal to minimize screen time and maximize interactive family time daily for the next month.

145. Storytime If you have young children, establish a daily routine of reading aloud with them, starting this week.

146. Positive Habits Set a goal for everyone in the family to build a positive habit over the next month, such as gratitude or kindness.

147. Celebrate Achievements Regularly take the time to celebrate each family member’s achievements, big or small, fostering a sense of accomplishment and happiness.

148. Financial Education Aim to introduce regular discussions about money management and financial planning appropriate to each family member’s age and understanding over the next six months.

149. Create Traditions Develop one new family tradition that can be repeated annually, starting this year.

150. Gardening Project Start a family gardening project, either outdoors or with indoor plants, initiating this month and nurturing it for the seasons to come.

Tips and Tricks for Writing your Personal Goals

Here are five tips for writing your personal goals that blend the advice of experts with the simplicity of common sense.

• Start with your core values: Your fundamental beliefs form the foundation for your decision-making (e.g., individuals who deeply value health may aim to run a marathon). Core values function as the driving force—the motivation—behind achieving one’s goals. Acknowledging and delineating these values help structure your goals in a way that pairs with your genuine passions and ambitions.
• Align your short-term and long-term goals: Short-term goals often act as stepping stones towards a broader, long-term goal (e.g., aiming to read one book per month for a year to support the long-term goal of becoming more knowledgeable). Balancing these two types of goals enhances motivation and provides regular progress benchmarks.
• Constant revision: Reassess and revise your goals regularly. Nobody’s goals should be stagnant, because as people grow and change, so do their ambitions and desires. Regular reflection allows for adjustments as needed (e.g., If injured, a runner may revise the goal of a marathon to a 10k race). Rigidity in goal setting can often create unnecessary pressure and demotivation; be adaptable and flexible.

Your personal goals are just that: personal! But the above examples and frameworks can get you on the right path. Stick to the SMART Goals framework, align your short-term and long-term goals, and then (most importantly!) take action each and every day.

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones . Penguin.

Daw, N. D. (2015). Of goals and habits. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 112 (45), 13749-13750.

Donovan, J. J. (2008). Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals. Personnel Psychology , 61 (4), 931.

Doran, G. T. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives. Management Review, 70 (11), 35-36.

Ehrlich, C., & Milston, S. (2021). Happiness through goal setting: A practical guide to reflect on and change the reasons why you pursue your most important goals in life . Routledge.

Hidayat, R., Moosavi, Z., & Hadisaputra, P. (2022). Achievement Goals, Well-Being and Lifelong Learning: A Mediational Analysis. International Journal of Instruction , 15 (1), 89-112.

Klein, H. J., Wesson, M. J., Hollenbeck, J. R., & Alge, B. (2013). Goal commitment and the goal-setting process: conceptual clarification and empirical synthesis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89 (6), 885.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2019). New developments in goal setting and task performance . New York: Psychology Press.

Nordengren, C. (2021). Step Into Student Goal Setting: A Path to Growth, Motivation, and Agency . Corwin Press.

Nowack, K. (2017). Facilitating successful behavior change: Beyond goal setting to goal flourishing. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research , 69 (3), 153.

Wilson, S. B., & Dobson, M. S. (2008). Goal setting: How to create an action plan and achieve your goals . AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn.

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Messaging & Face-to-Face Communication: Setting Goals

Communication plays a great role in the modern world as it ensures that people properly understand each other in different settings. The exchange of information is related to the flow, coordination, as well as learning and listening skills. In addition, communication is the basis for establishing both personal and professional relationships. I want to improve my text messaging and email communication and face-to-face interaction knowledge and skills.

The importance of face-to-face communication refers to the fact that people use it every day to translate their messages, cooperate with others, and understand what they want. Without effective communication, it is impossible to make strong connections and be effective as a team. Therefore, I believe that I should work on my verbal and non-verbal communication abilities to learn how to become an active participant in conversations. According to Hynes and Veltsos (2018), it is critical to choose proper words, maintain eye contact, and watch your posture, and it is also noted as useful to practice active listening. In other words, communication should not be perceived as for granted. Instead, effective face-to-face communication needs to be developed through both theory and practice.

As for text messaging and email communication, media and messengers allow for interacting remotely, which is important for business and personal communication. In this case, not only grammar rules, but also the structure, writing style, and purpose should be taken into account (Hynes & Veltsos, 2018). I would like to learn email communication etiquette to master my writing skills. It seems that I should focus on such strategies as defining value proposition, personalizing emails and messages, and understanding what the other person exactly wants from communication.

Hynes, G. E., & Veltsos, J. R. (2018). Managerial communication: Strategies and applications . Sage Publications.

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Pearce Center for Professional Communication

Clemson University

The Four Communication Styles: How to Understand Yourself and Your Audience

Having exceptional communication skills is among the top attributes employers look for in potential hires. Becoming an effective communicator not only includes honing in on key skills, such as how to adapt your message to your target audience, but also an understanding of your own communication style.

New York Times bestselling author Mark Murphy, has spent decades researching interpersonal communication and developed four fundamental communication styles to help you understand the ways in which you communicate and how your style coincides with those of others:

1. The Analytical Communicator

Analytical communicators like concrete data and numbers and tend to have a strong aversion to ambiguity. Those with an analytical communication style are largely receptive to people who are in command of facts and data and don’t identify well with emotional words.

Positive:  You are relatively unemotional view of situations allows you to interpret issues logically and factually, and others will value you for your informational expertise and objectivity.

Negative:  You may come across as callous and emotionless, especially when interacting with personal communicators who value warm and conversational personal relationships.

2. The Intuitive Communicator

Intuitive communicators like to see the big picture or a broad overview of the situation, avoiding getting lost in the details, cutting right to the chase. As opposed to functional communicators who like to hear things in perfect linear order, intuitive communicators would rather jump right to the end.

Positive:  Your communication is quick and to the point, you don’t get caught up in too many details and you’re comfortable with the big idea. Due to your natural ability to view things large scale, you have a strong urge to challenge the way things are usually done.

Negative:  You may lack the patience for situations that require great attention to detail. Because you are process driven and detail oriented, it can be difficult to interact with functional communicators.

3. The Functional Communicator

Functional communicators like well-thought-out plans and processes. They like to include every detail and display things in a step-by step fashion, the opposite of intuitive communicators.

Positive:  Your attention to detail enables you to include every aspect in a situation. Others will value your love for process and detail and look to you to play devil’s advocate.

Negative:  You may lose the attention of your audience if you allow your objective to get bogged down with details, especially if you have an audience of functional communicators.

4. The Personal Communicator

Personal communicators value emotional language and connecting with others. They tend to be good listeners and care about assessing how people think and feel.

Positive:  Your ability to connect with others on a personal level allows you to form deep relationships. You may serve as the “glue” that holds groups together with your strong emotional intelligence, diplomatic ability to smooth over conflicts and passion for maintaining good health in your relationships.

Negative:  You can come across as overly emotional, especially in communication with analytical communicators.

What is your communication style? For more information on developing your communication skills and discovering what your style is, head over to our resources page  and browse through the tools we provide.

“Information gathered from Mark Murphy’s Forbes article entitled “Which of These 4 Communication Styles are You?”. For more information visit  https://www.forbes.com/sites/m arkmurphy/2015/08/06/which-of- these-4-communication-styles-a re-you/#67dc9f4e3adb”

Written By: Claire Cumbo 10/12/2017

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Myself — Personal Goals

Essay Examples on Personal Goals

What makes a good personal goals essay topic.

When it comes to the art of crafting a personal goals essay, the topic you choose is the key that unlocks the door to success. It sets the tone for your entire piece and can either captivate or repel your reader. To ensure you choose a compelling essay topic, consider the following recommendations:

- Reflect on your passions and interests: Delve into the depths of what truly excites and piques your curiosity. Your essay topic should be a genuine reflection of what you care about.

- Consider your personal experiences: Take a moment to reflect on the milestones, challenges, and achievements that have shaped your life. These experiences offer unique insights that can make for an enthralling essay topic.

- Ponder your future aspirations: What are your goals and ambitions? Explore topics that align with your future plans or areas you yearn to delve into further.

- Research trending topics: Stay up-to-date with current events and trends. Select a topic that reflects a relevant issue, enabling you to showcase your knowledge and awareness.

- Seek inspiration from others: Immerse yourself in personal essays, biographies, or success stories to ignite your creativity. These stories can help you identify unique angles or perspectives for your own essay.

A good personal goals essay topic should be thought-provoking, original, and reflective of your personality. It should allow you to showcase your unique experiences and insights while engaging your readers.

Unconventional Personal Goals Essay Topics

When it comes to personal goals essay topics, it's crucial to stand out from the crowd and present a perspective that is truly your own. Here is a list of 20 creative and unconventional essay topics to inspire you:

- Embracing Failure: How setbacks have paved the path to personal growth.

- Exploring Cultural Identity: Navigating the intricate web of multiple identities.

- Overcoming Self-Doubt: How I became my own cheerleader.

- The Power of Mentorship: The transformative influence of an extraordinary guide.

- Redefining Success: Forging a unique path in a world of conformity.

- The Art of Resilience: How I triumphed over life's toughest trials.

- Embracing Vulnerability: Unleashing the strength found in showing weakness.

- Unconventional Career Paths: Pursuing my passion, defying societal expectations.

- The Journey of Self-Discovery: Unveiling my passions and purpose in life.

- Breaking Barriers: Overcoming obstacles, shattering stereotypes.

- The Importance of Emotional Intelligence: Nurturing the heart and mind.

- The Role of Education in Personal Growth: Illuminating the path to enlightenment.

- Finding Balance: Juggling work, personal life, and self-care.

- The Influence of Travel: Broadening horizons, expanding perspectives.

- Advocating for Change: Fighting for a cause that ignites my soul.

- The Power of Forgiveness: How letting go transformed my life.

- Embracing Imperfections: Learning to love myself, flaws and all.

- The Impact of Personal Development Books: The literary catalysts of change.

- The Role of Creativity in Personal Growth: Unleashing my untapped potential.

- Reinventing Myself: Breaking free from limitations, embracing a new future.

Provoking Thought: Personal Goals Essay Questions

To further explore your chosen topics, here are ten thought-provoking essay questions:

1. How has failure contributed to shaping your personal growth?

2. In what ways has your cultural identity influenced your goals and aspirations?

3. How did you overcome self-doubt and develop the confidence to pursue your goals?

4. What specific qualities or experiences made your mentorship relationship impactful?

5. How have you redefined success to align with your personal values and aspirations?

6. Share a significant challenge you faced and explain how you demonstrated resilience.

7. How has embracing vulnerability helped you in personal growth and building relationships?

8. In what ways have you deviated from traditional career paths and pursued your passion?

9. How did your journey of self-discovery lead you to uncover your true passions and purpose?

10. Explain how breaking barriers and defying stereotypes shaped your personal growth.

Personal Goals Essay Prompts

To fuel your creativity and assist you in crafting your personal goals essay, here are five intriguing essay prompts:

1. Imagine yourself ten years older, reflecting on the path you took to achieve your goals. Describe that journey and the invaluable lessons you learned along the way.

2. If you possessed unlimited resources and time, what ambitious goal would you pursue, and how would it impact your life and the world around you?

3. Write a heartfelt letter to your future self, detailing the personal goals you wish to accomplish and the strategic plans you have devised to achieve them.

4. Share a significant moment of personal growth that occurred during a challenging time in your life. How did it shape your goals and aspirations?

5. Imagine you have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage in a conversation with someone who has achieved great success in your field of interest. What profound questions would you ask them, and how would their answers influence your personal goals?

Writing Personal Goals Essay FAQs

Q: How long should a personal goals essay be?

A: There is no set length for a personal goals essay. However, it's essential to strike a balance between being concise and providing enough detail to effectively convey your ideas. Aim for a length that allows you to express yourself thoroughly without becoming repetitive or overly verbose.

Q: Can I use personal anecdotes in my personal goals essay?

A: Yes, personal anecdotes can be a powerful tool to illustrate your experiences and growth. They add a personal touch to your essay and help the reader connect with your story on a deeper level.

Q: Should I focus on one specific goal or multiple goals in my essay?

A: It depends on the prompt and your personal preferences. You can choose to focus on a single goal, allowing you to delve deeper into its significance and your journey towards achieving it. Alternatively, you can explore multiple goals and demonstrate how they are interconnected or have influenced each other.

Q: Is it necessary to include a conclusion in my personal goals essay?

A: While a conclusion is not mandatory, it can be beneficial to summarize your main points and leave the reader with a lasting impression. A well-crafted conclusion can reinforce the significance of your goals and leave the reader inspired.

Q: Can I use humor in my personal goals essay?

A: Yes, incorporating humor can add a touch of personality to your essay and make it more engaging. However, ensure that the humor is appropriate and aligns with the overall tone and message of your essay.

Remember, your personal goals essay is an opportunity to showcase your unique experiences, aspirations, and personal growth. Be authentic, passionate, and creative in your writing to captivate your readers and leave a lasting impact.

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Essay on Communication in 100, 200 and 300 Words: The Essence of Survival

• Updated on  
• Oct 20, 2023

Do you know how important it is to communicate with others? Communication is the primary means through which individuals share information, ideas and thoughts. Communication fosters strong relationships. In this essence, writing an essay on communication becomes important where you highlight the importance of communication, how it affects our everyday lives and what skills are required to become a communication professional . Let’s explore all these questions with some essays on communication.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Communication in 100 Words
• 2 Essay on Communication in 200 Words
• 3 Essay on Communication in 300 Words

Also Read: Essay on Freedom Fighters

Essay on Communication in 100 Words

Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction and is crucial to sharing ideas, thoughts and information. By communicating, people foster relationships, which is vital for personal and professional growth. Effective communication facilitates understanding, resolves conflicts, and promotes collaboration. Whether verbal or nonverbal, it forms the basis of successful teamwork, decision-making, and social integration.

Clear communication is key to a harmonious society, nurturing empathy, and building trust. It encourages brainstorming, creative thinking, and the development of new solutions to complex problems. Its impact is profound, shaping the way we interact, learn, and evolve, making it an indispensable tool for human connection and progress. 

Essay on Communication in 200 Words

What makes communication important is that it serves as the bedrock for exchanging ideas, information, and emotions. It is the essence of human interaction, enabling us to convey our thoughts, beliefs, and intentions to others. Effective communication is essential in every aspect of life, whether in personal relationships, professional environments, or social interactions.

Effective communication can form the basis of trust and mutual understanding and understanding. In personal relationships, communication fosters understanding and empathy, allowing individuals to express their feelings and needs, while also listening to and acknowledging others. 

In the professional realm. Communication allows the smooth functioning of organizations. With communication, individuals can disseminate information, set clear expectations and encourage collaboration among team members. Moreover, effective communication in the workplace enhances productivity and promotes a positive work culture.

The uses and benefits of communication are not limited to just personal and professional realms. In social environments also, communication allows diverse groups to understand each other’s cultures, beliefs, and values, promoting inclusivity and harmony in society.

You can call communication a fundamental pillar of human existence, as it helps in shaping our relationships, work environments, and societal interactions. Its effective practice is essential for nurturing empathy, building trust, and fostering a more connected and understanding world.

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of English Language

Essay on Communication in 300 Words

How crucial communication is can be explained by the fact that it allows the smooth transfer of ideas, thoughts, feelings and information. Communication is the lifeblood of human interaction, playing a crucial role in the exchange of ideas, information, and emotions. It serves as the cornerstone of relationships, both personal and professional, and is integral to the functioning of society as a whole. 

In personal relationships, it is essential to have effective communication for clear understanding and empathy. It allows individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs, while also providing a platform for active listening and mutual support. Strong communication fosters trust and intimacy, enabling individuals to build meaningful and lasting connections with others.

Without communication, you might struggle for organizational success in the professional world. Clear and effective communication within a team or workplace ensures that tasks are understood, roles are defined, and goals are aligned. It enables efficient collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making, contributing to a positive and productive work environment. Moreover, effective communication between employers and employees promotes a sense of transparency and fosters a healthy work culture.

In a broader sense, communication is vital for social integration and cultural understanding. It bridges the gaps between diverse groups, facilitating the exchange of values, beliefs, and perspectives. Effective communication fosters inclusivity and respect for cultural differences, contributing to a more harmonious and cohesive community.

However, communication is not just about sharing information and ideas. It also encompasses nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, all of which play a significant role in conveying meaning and emotions. It is the glue that binds individuals and communities together, fostering understanding, empathy, and collaboration. Practicing clear and empathetic communication is vital for creating a more connected, inclusive, and harmonious world.

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Communication is the process of exchanging ideas, information, thoughts and feelings between individuals or groups through the use of verbal and nonverbal methods.

To write an essay on communication, you need to describe what communication is, what the importance of communication in our lives and how it can help us know different aspects of life.

To become an effective communicator, you must become an active listener and understand what others have to say. You must learn to express your thoughts clearly and concisely. You also need to ensure your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice perfectly align with your ideas.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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