The end of the academic year is always hard. You have exams to study for, essays to write, places to be and sometimes just a little less motivation than what you need. Put stress, anxiety, a hefty workload and a whole lot of done into the bargain, and you’ve got writer’s block. So how do you get rid of it at a time when you need all the brain power you can get? Well, here are some ways that I get rid of (and sometimes avoid) that pesky little roadblock:
1. Write all your ideas down on a piece of paper.
Just let it all out! Don’t worry about "going deep" or having your ideas make sense, because this is just the very beginning of the writing stage. After you get everything down on paper, go back and read what you wrote. Choose the idea that you feel most confident about and get to planning. Remember, you should be able to support your idea and be comfortable making an argument for it. So don’t choose what you think might be a weak argument; you don’t want to start over halfway through the writing process!
2. Re-read your notes, then try connecting your ideas to your notes.
If you have a vague idea of what you want to write about, but you’re not entirely sure where to start, sometimes your notes can give you a pretty solid starting point. Background history, important symbols and their meanings, some really awesome discussion points - all this information contained within your laptop or notebook! Notes can help you determine whether or not you have a gem of an idea and help you tweak it to make it a work of art ready for typing.
3. Plan out the skeleton of your essay.
Ok, I know, this is pretty elementary, but just give me a sec. If you have an argument that you’re 99.9% sure is the basis of a true masterpiece destined for greatness, plan it out before you start writing. Make sure that you have the evidence to back up your claims, that your ideas flow into each other beautifully and that you’re prepared to write however many pages on this one topic. This will help you feel more confident about your argument and also avoid future writer’s block, since you’ll already know what you’re going to write and where you want your essay to go.
4. Go for a walk.
When you absolutely, positively have no idea what you’re going to write about, slip on your sneakers and go for a walk (or run, if you prefer). Most of writer’s block comes from a place of stress and anxiety, making it difficult to think about anything besides your deadline and the amount of other work you need to get done. Going for a walk or a jog can help clear your mind and provide distractions from your mental to-do list, so by the time you get back to your essay, your sole focus will be the task at hand.
5. Listen to a piece of classical music.
This piece of advice is actually more for creative writing, but I find that sometimes it does help with essay writing. If it seems like your brain has decided to desert you in the middle of the Idea Desert, then try listening to some classical music. Actually, it doesn’t have to be just classical music, but preferably music without a bunch of distracting lyrics. Pick something that will make you think, not just listen. By doing so, an image, a memory, or even a whole story has the chance to grab your attention. Without having to compete with other thoughts in your head, amazing paper ideas are able to float into the forefront of your mind.
6. Stop reading this article.
Don’t give me that puppy face, you’re simply drawing out the procrastination process! Stop it! You are an intelligent, well-read, hard-working human being who is capable of producing a paper so fantastic that it deserves to be hung up on the kitchen fridge. With a tourist magnet. That’s right, a magnet that your family bought with the sole intention of proving to your relatives and neighbors that they did travel to Jamaica, or Colorado, or the diner right down the street. Mix that in with your perfect essay and you’ve got the equivalent of a “my-child-is-an-honor-student” bumper sticker. So be proud of what you write and get to work!
