People say that papers are better than tests, but I can't disagree with that. Although tests take time and energy to study for, if you study hard enough and know what you are talking about, you will surely ace it. With papers, I feel it takes just as much if not more energy. For every paper, I make myself an outline and no matter how hard I research or try to organize information that I'd like to include, it never seems to come altogether, causing the meltdown the night before a paper is due because the paper just doesn't make any sense.

Stage 1: Anguish over the assignment the professor has given out

Even though we are well aware of paper due dates ahead of time since they are most likely written on our syllabuses, it is still the worst feeling when you realize the paper the teacher is handing out is actually guidelines to a ten page paper worth almost half your grade. This is basically where my anxiety starts and almost always ruins my day. My first thought when reading about a ten page paper is, "How does one write ten whole pages on one subject?" I still really don't know to be honest and don't even know how I have written ten pages on previous assignments. I pushed the stress from it all to the back of my brain, never to be reminded of the torture I went through writing it.

Stage 2: Writing the outline

Outlines help me to get everything I gathered from research down onto paper so I can organize my thoughts into a cohesive essay. Too bad this is easier than it sounds. Most of the time I end up throwing irrelevant information into my essay that I wish would pertain to what I'm talking about yet never does. Outlines sometimes even make me more stressed out about writing my papers because sometimes when I think I've gathered enough information, I haven't gathered enough information at all and end up frantically searching for relevant information that I can throw in in order to make a long enough essay.

Stage 3: Starting the actual paper

Starting is usually the hardest part when writing a paper. My introductions are usually extremely corny or makes it seem like I am trying way too hard to sound scholarly and usually always end up with me getting points taken off by not having a creative enough intro. This usually leads to me procrastinating until I finally get something down and just have to go with it.

Stage 4: The meltdown

Usually the night before a paper is due and I'm at a writer's block the waterworks most likely happen. The positive thing about meltdowns is that usually after I've had a good cry, I tell myself that I can do it and use going to bed as my motivation to pull through.

Stage 5: Handing in your glorious piece of writing

The most amazing feeling ever in the whole essay process is printing out the final copy of your essay, stapling it together, bringing it to class and handing it in to your professor. The feeling of never having to write about that topic ever again is so rewarding and makes your hard work pay off especially when you get the paper back with an A marked at the top!