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I'm a student and have an essay due in 2 days - can you give me some advice?

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snowydog

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 25, 2011
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Hi everyone

I don't frequent many forums and I was looking for some people to chat with and who could maybe give me some advice.

Basically I'm in final year of university and I have one more assignment left - it's due in on Friday. It's not 12.55am here wed night/thurs morning.... I know the stuff I need to right about - 3,000 words...I've done 800!

I'm having some sort of mental block or panic!

To get a first class honours, I need above 70% ... currently, with all completed coursework and exams...I'm sitting on 75% ... all I have left is this one piece of coursework and two exams.

Basically I have to write a critical review on a topic area I was assigned - I'm studying a science subject.

I know a lot about the topic area and I've got a great structure that I'm working with to base my review and arguments on ... but for some reason I can't write down what I want to say!

I'm pushing myself to get above 70% in this assignment and I guess I'm really worried that I won't write enough or probably more to the point, won't critique enough to get the higher grade.

Can anyone give me some advice on how I can ensure I critique enough - I mean is anyone an academic here that would know what examiners would be looking for?

I don't know why I'm struggling - I scored highly in all my other pieces of coursework, including critiques. Perhaps I'm a bit burned out, it's been assignment after assignment for weeks now! :eek:
 
-aggie- said:
Don't you have an outline?
Click to expand...

I willing to bet the OP does not.
My suggestion is at this point make a basic outline and get more topics. Sounds like you need to create one at this point since you hit your end with out it. You will be amazed at how much you can added after you write one.
 
Bingbonghoho said:
Wirelessly posted

Try drugs! Just don't overdose
Click to expand...

:eek::D

-aggie- said:
Don't you have an outline?
Click to expand...

Yeh I have an outline, I've wrote the intro, I've wrote the biological and physiological aspects etc...

I've made notes throughout my outline on what I want to include etc..

I'm pretty happy with the outline/structure of it - it's just actually writing it...

Here's an example:

I'd write about 3 or 4 lines - stop - read over it - reword it - read it again - reword it - delete it all! Then I'd read various sources over AGAIN and then attempt the whole thing...I know If I do get it done earlier and read over it, I'll prob re-word things again or want to include more stuff :/

I know I'm capable of writing very well - I just got the results of one of my other assignments today and my lecturer (a well respected researcher in the topic I was writing about) told me I done an excellent job! ...
 
Better start writing...

I find it best to have a glass of scotch, bull$#*! for a while, then revisit and tweak later. Got me through 4 years of college with a 3.6 GPA.
 
Couple beers, not DRUNK, just one or two, write until you fall asleep, wake up and edit it tomorrow.

Throw enough ***** at the wall and some of it will stick.
 
smithrh said:
Write it all out first, then fix it.
Click to expand...

What I was going to suggest ^^^

Just keep writing, if possible. Don't stop to correct spelling or do any editing.

Just keep writing!

After you finish, or get as much down as possible, then go back and edit.

Even if what you are writing is very rough, with poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation...you can fix that during editing.

Do not interrupt your train of thought by editing as you go along.

Good luck...:D
 
Last edited:
:D :D

Ok I'm gonna try blasting through it and then edit afterwards - I dunno why I'm finding this one so difficult - I know the subject area, more so than other essays I've done in recent weeks! Arghghgh!
 
As others have said, do this:

1. Outline it.

2. Write down whatever to fill your outline. It won't look nice at this step.

3. Walk away from it for a bit (or overnight).

4. Go back and refine it.
 
Very simple advice.

Unplug your internet connection. Turn off your phone. Find a quiet place without other distractions. Then try again.
 
Drink a lot of sugary tea. Got me through my 20,000 word dissertation!

Sounds like you don't have a visual plan on where you're going with your essay. Draw up an introduction and end points/conclusion, fill in the gaps in-between with subheadings and gradually fill in the content.

If you know this subject area well, that shouldn't be a problem. Sounds like you are just panicking over getting a good mark and it's draining your brain. Drink some tea, and draw on a piece of paper your essay plan. It'll all start flowing soon enough.

Taking a break and watching TV helps too, you might get an epiphany on what'll really get your essay a good mark.
 
Get into the mood and just get it done. Put some music on, have a cup of coffee by you and get typing like you've never typed before. Works for me.
 
Draw a mindmap of aspects you need to include and how they are related. This can help you find a general structure of the whole paper, and it gives you a "roadmap" of segways.

It's easier to write when you don't have to think "What do I have to mention now?".
 
Some excellent advice here. I always found the pain of getting started worse than actually sitting down and writing. As the others said just start and don't stop until you are done-then fix!

Good luck. You'll have fond memories of college even this bit. :D
 
Thanks for all the pointers guys!

I'm not sure how it sounds like I don't have a plan - I already said I had a plan, and that I've made notes throughout the plan...I have a clear logical structure to the essay that I'm really happy with

I know what I need to write, where I need to write it etc....I'm just struggling to actually write it - i.e. I write a paragraph - read it - reword it X3-4 then scrap it and start again! :eek:
 
Maybe you could change your topic to "Procrastination, the Cost of Putting things Off". I feel for you. When I had to write... I needed to feel the pressure before I could do it. Ten PM, the night before it was due was when I would start.

Those who have suggested to write it all out to the finish, then polish it, are correct. Do not write a paragraph and then try to get that paragraph perfect.
 
snowydog said:
:D :D

Ok I'm gonna try blasting through it and then edit afterwards - I dunno why I'm finding this one so difficult - I know the subject area, more so than other essays I've done in recent weeks! Arghghgh!
Click to expand...

? senioritis
? fear of transitioning to the next phase in life
? burn-out

There is excellent advice here. Go outside for a few hours and do something physical in the sun. Then crwl into yoiur work cave adn disconnect from the outside world (turn all electronic devices off, pull the window shades, etc.) and WRITE.
 
snowydog said:
I know what I need to write, where I need to write it etc....I'm just struggling to actually write it - i.e. I write a paragraph - read it - reword it X3-4 then scrap it and start again! :eek:
Click to expand...
Start with a strong thesis statement, and build your introduction paragraph off that. Once you have all the topics in that intro paragraph you should be able to bang out the rest.

Good luck, and sometimes the best way to get in the flow of it, is to just start writing it. Don't worry about reworking it yet, just produce the paper and then rework it.
 
eawmp1 said:
? senioritis
? fear of transitioning to the next phase in life
? burn-out

There is excellent advice here. Go outside for a few hours and do something physical in the sun. Then crwl into yoiur work cave adn disconnect from the outside world (turn all electronic devices off, pull the window shades, etc.) and WRITE.
Click to expand...

Definitely a mental thing of some sort - like you say, probably burnout! essay after essay for weeks and months on end! infact my last essay was on the topic of burnout!

I had about 7 hours sleep last night but I still feel tired! Gonna get some fresh air and then attack this essay!
 
I'm coming to the end of a long 12 week semester and have a presentation to do for tomorrow. I'm in the same position. Just can't get it done. I find that writing without editing or structuring helps even if you have to delete some or restructure later.
 
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