When I notice a student struggling to write their main college essay, I sometimes ask how they would complete the sentence “If you really knew me, you would know…” Thinking about how to complete that sentence leads to discussions about what matters in their life. I am not necessarily looking to elicit a big idea or an earth-shattering achievement. Truthfully, I want to know what makes them smile and motivates them to look ahead. For those of you who know me personally—and the