Due dates are approaching faster than ever! Apart from the obvious advice of “start your paper early and work on it gradually,” sometimes a bit of last minute strategy can do the trick.

Unfortunately, we all know that completely avoiding procrastination is less than likely. Everyone’s writing process is different, and every paper comes along in their own way. That being said, here are some tips for anyone who’s struggling to complete a long paper.

1. Be smart with your topic.

Too often, teachers only remind us to choose a topic that interests us. Although that’s surely important, you have to pick something that you'll be able to find enough sources/evidence for. Choose something that you have a lot to say about, or you will regret it. You don't want your topic to be too broad, but you also don’t want to write about an idea that’s too limiting.

2. Outline, outline, outline!

Everyone’s writing process is different, but outlining will surely help you if you’re stuck. You may not have to create an official document with Roman numerals and map every sentence out; however, making a list of all of your main points will surely get you started and organized. Not everyone can sit and write a paper from beginning to end without stumbling somewhere.

3. Write all of your paragraphs' topic sentences first.

This is a good step to take after outlining! Turn your list of main points into topic sentences about all of your subtopics. Not only will you keep your paper focused on your topic, but this technique also helps you be conscious of your paragraph transitions. Ensure that each new idea is properly introduced before you start jumping around too much. After your ideas are properly organized, you just have to fill in the rest of the paragraphs.

4. Add your research/textual evidence in last.

This is only effective with some papers, but it surely helps when it works. If you have a good understanding of the material, get all of your own thoughts down first. Then you can go back and refer to the text for further support. Solid textual evidence is the key to a good paper, yet you can avoid being a regurgitating robot if you ensure that your own point is adequately made first.

5. Add your research/textual evidence in first.

This completely contradicts tip number four, but this tends to work if you don't have as good of an understanding of your topic. After each paragraph's topic sentence, mention or quote the text you plan on referencing. Then do this for all of the paragraphs you plan to add textual support to. After completing this bulky outline, you simply have to go back in and write your own commentary on each topic. Boom—you have a well-balanced, well-researched and opinionated paper.

6. Take a break before the final proofread.

Up late writing a paper due in the morning? Well, you should go to bed 10 minutes earlier that night, and get up 10 minutes earlier to proofread the next morning. Giving yourself distance from your writing will help you find the mistakes that you missed during other proofreads. If you reread something multiple times in a row, your brain starts reading your paper from memory as opposed to what's actually on the screen. Let yourself temporarily forget what you meant to say so you can make sure that you actually write what you mean. Trust me, you will be embarrassed by what you missed!