Every college student writes papers. That’s a fact. A lot of college students, like myself, write articles. Some college students like to write poetry or fiction. But regardless of what genre you’re writing, every writer has experienced that horrible … yes. Writer’s block.
Writers’ block: (n) a state of being in which a person cannot think of what to write about or how to approach their writing.
Writers’ block is the stagnant and sedentary state preventing synthesis of work, and it’s really terrible for a number of reasons. Obviously, if you have to write a term paper that’s due on said date no later than 11:59 p.m., you’ve got a time constraint working against you. You have to pull something together, and fast. Unfortunately, no matter how far in advance the professor assigns the paper, it feels like there’s never enough time to actually write it. Having writers’ block makes it that much harder to actually put something that’s both coherent and innovative on the page.
Writers’ block also proportionally cuts down on the time you actually have to write a paper. All that extra time spent brainstorming leaves much less time to actually get words on the screen, and subsequently much less time for editing. Since editing is arguably the most important step in the writing process, if the time you have to edit your work is compromised, your writing itself will be compromised and you might not get as good of a grade as you normally would on your work.
Writers’ block is the realest thing—but it’s not your fault! Writers’ block is a totally natural feeling that’s totally unpreventable. It sneaks up on you at the worst time (aka when everything is due at once) and really can make getting work done much more hellish. However, there are some strategies you can use to fight it off when it hits.
If you’re constantly on the go, like most college students, your day probably consists of getting up, going to class, and trying to fit in things like exercise, well-balanced meals, and a social life. For some, this means sacrificing sleep and staying up late to do homework. Others channel themselves into their work and go to bed early, but miss out on social opportunities. It’s the brutal triangle of necessities: you can only have two of the vital components of college life. If you’re struggling to come up with a thesis for your big paper, try getting some rest, or talking to some friends, or letting yourself binge a few episodes on Netflix. Taking a reasonable break from all the hard work is crucial because your body needs the opportunity to recharge, and once rested, you and your brain will be able to perform better.
Another way to stop the writers’ block is by reading. You could read anything from a magazine to some news articles, your favorite book, or even just Buzzfeed. Reading will get your mind focused on language, and will get the juices in your brain flowing so you can put your own words down. If you really needed to find a topic for a paper, the best place to start if you’re lost is by re-reading the material or your notes. Pay attention to the key ideas, and make note of key quotes and ideas so that you know what you’re looking for when you actually sit down to write.
Don’t ever procrastinate your writing! Start early so you have plenty of time to gather your thoughts and you aren’t rushing to just get something down and praying for the best. If you leave time for yourself, you won’t be feeling stressed, which will just worsen your writers’ block.
Lastly, always stay positive and don’t get down on yourself! Writing is a process, and in the great words of Spongebob, “you can’t rush perfection!”
