Tips for Writing Papers: How to Get Started

At one time or another, all college students must brave their way through an English Composition Course. For some students, writing is like breathing; they love expressing their inner chaos on paper. But for most students, English Comp is about as fun as listening to a documentary on how weather stripping is made.

But since you will be required to write in most classes throughout your college career, you may as well make the best of it. Here are some important survival tips that will help you get through. In fact, you may even enjoy writing by the time you are done!

First, have a writing time slot. This may seem like torture at first - there are probably a ton of other things you'd rather be doing. But if you get into the habit of writing at a certain time each day, it will become less and less painful. Even better, your brain will come to expect that type of thinking at that time of day - and your thoughts will flow much easier. It really works if you stick with it.

Second, pick a writing place. It may not be humanly possible for you to write in the exact same spot every day. But try to make it happen. The reason is simple: The world around you is interesting. If you are in a different spot every day, you will be more likely to look around at the walls and the furniture. Then it will take you awhile to get settled into your chair. That's when you start thinking, "I wish the table was lower. My chair is too lumpy. The coffee here is awful." So when you find that spot - preferably the one where no one will recognize you and start babbling incessantly during your writing time slot - make it a habit.

Next, forget about multi-tasking. This is the biggest barrier to writing. As much as it kills you, turn off the cell phone during your writing timeslot. And no e-mail checking, either - your public can wait. Surfing the net is another no-no. The reality is, there is no way that your brain can zone in on a writing topic if you are simultaneously filling it with conversation, music, and eye candy. It may sound ridiculously rough to give all these things up - too bad they don't have a patch for technology withdrawal! But it's only an hour or so - you can handle it.