We know…writing the Personal Statement is hard, and maybe starting in a punchy way is the hardest thing of all.  It might help to know what others tend to use - try to be a little bit original, but also just try to keep it authentic: don't use long words and be something you aren't: speak from the heart about why you actually want to study the subject.  Remember that you are applying for a job: the job of being a really good student for some of the top academics in the country who absolutely love their subjects.  Having said that, there are some seriously stale phrases that just make Admissions tutors yawn.  Here are some from an article in the Telegraph (full article here) that draws on material provided by UCAS itself: 

Straight from the horse's mouth: