If you’ve been told you need to write an essay it can be really hard knowing when to start. You can put it off for an hour, then an afternoon, then before you know it it’s been sat there for a week without a single word added to the page. There’s no shame in admitting that you’ve done it — we’ve all put things off at one point or another. But you need to figure out how to get it done.
We’ve asked a number of pro writers how they tackle the issue, and they all had one thing in common: they start early. Let’s take a look at a few of their wise words, and see if you can find the inspiration that you need to put pen to paper.
You’ll be fresh in the morning
Writing early doesn’t just mean many days before the deadline; it also means early in the morning. If you’re not a morning person, then don’t worry. All you need to do is get a good sleep the night before, and then force yourself out of bed in the morning. Try and beat the sun up, and go for a walk before you have a bite to eat. That way you’ll have activated your mind and body, and you’ll be ready to get down to come serious work.
There’s far fewer distractions
Working in the morning is great because not only are you fresh, you’re also far less likely to get distracted. Your energy levels are at their peak, and most people aren’t up yet. This is ideal for keeping your phone pretty quiet, and not having people emailing you or calling you up. Make the most of these precious few hours, and use them to set the tone for the rest of the day.
It gives you more time to tackle unforeseen problems
Everyone who has ever written an essay will tell you that there’s always a couple of unforeseen problems. You realize you haven’t quite answered the question, one of your sources is questionable, or you’re just not happy with the way it flows. These are all natural things to find out, so budget for them.
You might not know what they are when you get started, but you do know the chances are they’ll happen. The earlier you start, the more freedom and flexibility you have to get your work done, and the more likely you are to get a grade you can be proud of.
There’s more time to have a break and clear your head
Clearing your head and taking a rest is really important, and it’s something you can always try before you look to Get Academic Help. Writing essays is a tiring business, and it taxes your brain more than you might think. If you can have a walk or take the evening off between your first and second draft, then your final essay will be all the better for it.
The temptation to skip the proofreading stage will disappear
Proofreading is such a vital stage of the writing process that it comes as a great surprise that some many students try to skip it. Reaching the word count and handing your essay in straight away is never a good idea. Proofreading fine tunes your essay by identifying annoying punctuation and grammar mistakes that can easily knock you down an entire grade. Take the time to do it, and it’ll be your grade that’s all the better for it in the long run.
You won’t find yourself staring at the clock and stressing out
A funny thing happens to the human psyche when a deadline approaches: we obsess about it. Whilst it is great to know when you need to submit by, nothing has ever been gained by fixating on a time to the detriment of your work. You can eliminate this temptation completely by simply starting earlier.
Working ahead of everyone is very satisfying
There’s a lot to be said for writing when you’re in a really positive frame of mind. You will find you get a lot of satisfaction from knowing that you’re running ahead of schedule, so why miss out on this boost of positivity? Your writing will flow onto the page much easier, you’ll feel considerably more relaxed, and you might even enjoy it!
You’ll give yourself the time you need to really think about the writing
Thinking about your writing and taking the time to get it right is what will really make the difference between a good essay, and a great essay. There’s a lot to be said for taking the time to think and reflect between drafts, so make the time to do it. You’ll find you get a much better grade at the end of it all.
