“Is it true that I should never use I in college writing?” In much writing in college, using the first-person I is perfectly acceptable to most instructors. As always, think about the context—if your own experience is relevant to the topic, you are better off saying I than trying too hard not to. But don’t overdo it, especially if the writing isn’t just autobiographical. And check with your instructor if you aren’t sure: in certain academic disciplines, such as the natural sciences, using I may be seen as inappropriate.