Sometimes, no matter how much you prepare, you end up there—you have a paper due worth a terrifying percentage of your mark and now you’re at the edge of what is about to be a very long night of writing.
Educational developer Morgan Rooney said “a student’s number one goal should be to avoid this scenario.”
“As a professor, it takes me about 1 paragraph of an essay to sniff out a paper written over night,” she said via email. It isn’t ideal, but according to PASS facilitators, if you’ve done some background research and know your material there are ways to deal with this situation.
PASS facilitator Trevor Deley said the first step is to take a deep breath.
“Next it’s important to have a system in place to break things into smaller pieces,” he said.
“Break it down into sub-goals for example. One, brainstorm. Two, research. Three, outline. Four, write. Five, cite. Six, edit.”
Writing Tutorial Service co-ordinator Samantha Shortt agreed that students should focus on small, easily accomplished goals. She said it was best to think through what you’re going to do in steps.
“1) Try visualizing yourself actually doing the task (writing the essay, studying for the exam). Imagine what aids you would need to do the task (soft music, comfortable chair, door closed, no one else in room, cup of tea). 2) Repeatedly say to yourself, ‘I am able to handle this assignment.’ This can break the cycle of negative thoughts and old excuses you often say to yourself when trying to rationalize why you can’t get started on the task today,” Shortt said via email.
Shortt also said it is important to eat properly.
“Be sure to stay hydrated and have a few healthy snacks close by,” she said. “A box of donuts will keep you going for a short time before you start feeling sleepy. Leave the empty carbohydrates for another day.”
Shortt said the space where you work is also crucial.
“Some people need absolute silence with no one else in the room,” she said. “Others feel most creative and productive in a busy library. Still others prefer a little quiet with “white noise” playing through their headphones. Get to know what environment you find most suitable to you and stick with it.”
Deley agreed.
“Find somewhere quiet that you will not be distracted, like a library cubicle or an Antarctic penguin reserve. Try to not have any of your electronics near you, phone off, no laptop, no tablet,” he said.
Deley suggested going back and forth between different assignments every 30 minutes to help increase your focus and productivity.
Shortt agreed, adding that it is important to break up work time in some way.
“Once you notice your concentration time shortening, it is time to get up and walk away from the paper for a short time . . . Aim to break for no more than 15 minutes,” Shortt advised. “This will keep the paper fresh in your mind. Breaking to watch tv or call a friend may find you taking much more time away from the paper and it is harder to get started writing again.”
Even though you might be tempted to sleep after everything is done, Shortt also emphasized the importance of editing.
She said although it may now be 4 a.m. and you’re exhausted, step away from the paper and do something else before going back to it one last time.
“You need a fresh set of eyes to spot any errors,” she said.
