Who Am I? The Course
6 Modules · 18 Lessons · 19 Videos · 50+ exercises/activities
Introduction
Materials needed
What to expect
Plan for success
Module 1: Expand
1.1 Habits
Learn how to create healthy habits to improve well-being and creative flow. Sara uses these daily! You will look at a model personal essay with commentary broken down line by line, and then we will have our first quickwrite.
1.2 Emotional G
Discover the root of emotions and how to express yourself with three techniques, two exercises, two quickwrites, and a model essay for inspiration.
1.3 Get Curious
An extended activity to activate critical thinking and curiosity. Includes an example.
Module 2: Hurdles
2.1 Problem, Solution
Look at common habit problems and what to do about them, tackle mindset work, explore guilt and shame, and examine a model essay through the lens of the themes discussed in this lesson. Two exercises and one quickwrite.
2.2 The Mirror
Notice patterns and techniques in your and others’ writing. You will read two essays and discuss format, sentence structure, word choice, figurative language, and imagery — and then do a quickwrite to examine your work.
2.3 100-Word Memoir, Seven Drafts
You will write your author bio, and then seven drafts of your 100-word memoir (idea from Kelly Gallagher). The seven drafts addition is from Sara.
Module 3: Voice and Vulnerability
3.1 Go There
You will explore repressed and suppressed emotions and memories through four powerful exercises. Be sure you have no plans after this lesson.
3.2 Bring Others
How do we care about others’ stories? How do we get people to care about our own? Be confident others will with concrete strategies, a themed quickwrite, a model essay with commentary, and a brainstorm session. BONUS: the secret sauce will be revealed.
3.3 Ideas
You will be brimming with ideas and decide on what your two essay topics will be. Featuring a series of fast quickwrites based on quotes, the Common App prompts, and an intensive idea funnel.
Module 4: Prepare
4.1 Format It
Now that you have your ideas, let’s look at the many ways you can format it! You’ll check for additional writing requirements with ways to tackle them, read three model essays with commentary (and one with paragraph summaries), and go all in with outlines.
4.2 To The Point
Using five strategies, we will learn how to write better by writing concisely.
4.3 Grammar and Mechanics
The tips and tricks with slides and exercises.
Module 5: It’s Time
5.1 Essay #1
Get pumped up and inspired before writing the first draft of your essay.
5.2 Essay #2
Write the first (or second or third) draft of your second essay.
5.3 R + R + R
You will read your essays, reflect (with specific questions) and learn about the art of meaningful rest — a must when you’re a creative genius.
Module 6: Who I Am
6.1 Beautify #1
We will look at common questions regarding format and audience, Sara will give feedback on a short piece, and then you will revise your first essay. Finally, you’ll learn how to edit your work.
6.2 Beautify #2
Sara highlights more strategies for revising, and then you’ll revise and edit your second essay.
6.3 Big Asks
Before you submit your college and/or scholarship application, you will need courage for a few terrifying requests. This is the final challenge, you can do it!