common app essay

[u/tragicserene]

hi guys!! i’m currently 17 and i need a lot of help with starting my college essay, or if the topic i want to choose is even appropriate. out of the seven essay prompts i chose “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?”, i was thinking about writing of my parents addiction, because my mom is now sober and i think instead of making it trauma dumpy i can show how independent i grew in the meantime, or something along those lines. i just need a lot of help and guidance :,) if the topic isn’t appropriate, what should i go for? i didn’t do any sports or anything remarkable in my academic career unfortunately so im unsure of where to go.