As I sat in front of my glaringly white computer screen for what felt like hours, I decided that “Odyssey” was indeed the correct term for my first writing experience here. I have had this problem many times before, so you’d think by now I’d be near professional status when it comes to finding cures for a case of the infamous “writer’s block.” But each time I begin a new written venture, I am faced with a new problem. This time, the problem was that I had never before sent a piece of my work out into the universe for so many potential viewers. I wanted to discuss something that people care about; something that could be useful…

And then the epiphany struck: I could find my solution within the problem itself.

So here you have it. My very honest and slightly shameful list of ways to bust your brain out of its creative funk and get the words flowing on the page (no matter how crazy).

1. Step AWAY from the keyboard.

This is always step one when my flustered head and my typing hand are not cooperating with each other. I am always amazed by how much inspiration I can find from the little things in the world around me, from people passing by to the shape of a tree. And sometimes it is just nice to be away from the screens and the commotion and just be alone with your own thoughts. I find my brain often has some pretty good ideas when I stop and take a second to really listen.

2. Coffee, coffee, and more coffee.

I’m sure there aren’t many college students out there who are unfamiliar with the magical effects this all too valuable substance can have on the mind, but for those of you who have held out this long I have two words: Try it. While it’s never fun to suffer from caffeine overload, a cup here and there in moderation can be just the jumpstart a tired brain needs to find its groove.

3. Let your subconscious do the work.

I’m not saying you’re going to end up as successful as Stephanie Meyer from this tip, but succumbing to the urge to catch up on lost hours of sleep may not always be a bad thing. When your brain is starving for more energy it may also be starving for more energy. So if coffee isn’t your thing and your mind is running on empty, you may actually save yourself time by taking a quick nap to recharge rather than channeling your inner zombie for hours on end.

4. Phone a friend.

Yes, that’s right; those study breaks your roommate makes you take that send you on a one-way guilt trip may end up being your saving grace. Don’t get me wrong, no one is worse at asking for help than I am, but sometimes just being around other people’s thoughts and ideas can trigger inspiration without you even having to send out the SOS.

5. Start somewhere... anywhere.

I know from experience that the first words you put down are often the hardest to conjure up. I was pretty adamant for a long time about starting at the beginning and ending with the end, but recently I have learned to start the parts I have thought about (no matter their location), and building the rest around this. So start anywhere, write anything, just write something. The words will lead you the rest of the way.