How do I demonstrate my enthusiasm for learning and individuality without sounding cliched?

It's tricky to show enthusiasm and excitement without sounding repetitive and the same as everyone else. To do this without coming across in a cliched fashion, try and be frank and honest in your personal statement, by demonstrating humility and giving real examples that show your passion for the subject. By integrating personal experiences with reasons for your subject choice, you can show your personality as well, which is something you are asked to include in your statement. Here is an example from my personal statement:

"I wish to study English Language at an advanced level, as it is a subject that fascinates me. I am intrigued by the way language works; how it is affected by different social conventions and how it has evolved over time."- in this section I am showing that I already see language in an analytical way, and explicitly state my interest and application of this analysis in everyday life, showing a constant consideration of this subject in my life.

"I lived in Dubai for 11 years from the age of 3, and experienced many mutli-ethnic language features, some of the Arabic colloquialisms having travelled back to Britain in my own idiolect, such as the word 'Habibi' meaning; 'my friend.'" - this part shows my individual experience by including personal annecdotes (which are in keeping with my reasons for picking the subject) which I feel are interesting and help me stand out. By using a short, simple linguistic analysis in this way, it shows a keen understanding for the subject and obviously implies an interest in the subject from a young age.

In my statement I also included examples of how I have immersed myself in English, such as competitions I entered and projects I was involved with, again showing a constant enthusiasm for the subject outside of my academic requirements.