This study was conducted to investigate students' responses to the use of diary writing in helping their essay writing skills. The research applied a descriptive qualitative method. The participants of this study were six randomly selected 10th grade students from SMAN 1 Bandar Baru. The researcher used semi-structured interviews to collect the data. The results showed that students generally responded positively to diary writing as a tool for enhancing their essay writing abilities. Benefits reported included improved self-expression, increased writing fluency, expanded vocabulary, and enhanced reflective thinking skills. Students also noted heightened motivation and engagement with writing tasks. However, some challenges were identified, including difficulties with consistency and time management. Moreover, strategies used by students to maintain diary writing included setting specific times for writing, integrating it into daily routines, and viewing it as a long-term beneficial practice. The study concludes that while diary writing shows promise as an effective method for developing essay writing skills, individual needs and challenges should be considered in its implementation.