How should I approach writing a personal statement?

The key to writing a personal statement is to make it personal. Avoid using flowery language that you wouldn't use in everyday life, keep it professional sounding but make sure its your own voice. Make sure you are honest, and be clear about why you want to study whatever you are studying. Focus on which elements of the subject you find most engaging, and outline what you have done to pursue these interests. If you can mention a book you have read, a play you have seen, an amateur documentary you have made, research you have done, a museum you have volunteered at, this will make you stand out and demonstrate you really are as interested as you say you are. If you are applying to study maths, don't mention your grade 4 piano certificate - it doesn't say anything about why you should study that degree at that particular place, and the limited word count means that that space is better used for something else. When it comes to actually writing the statement, a few drafts will be enough. Try not to overthink it, and avoid writing and rewriting it. Make sure you are remaining honest and conveying just how passionate you are. Also, don't worry too much about it. Your personal statement will make up one part of your application, and won't be considered in isolation. Think of it as an opportunity to speak to the admissions staff and show them just how fantastic you would be on their course. Make sure you sell yourself. If you have achieved something interesting, mention it. A final tip is to use active language instead of passive language. This means using language which shows you went out and did something, and took initiative. For example instead of saying 'I was given the opportunity to do work experience at a local charity. This taught me the importance of good relationships with donors and enabled me to learn how to conduct market research', say 'I successfully applied to undertake work experience with the charity 'XXX'. I used this opportunity to learn about donor relationships and question my colleagues about conducting beneficial market research'.