Prevention Is the Key to Survival:
Avoiding the Deadly Last Minute Essay
Plan To Write
Step 1: Plan your school schedule
- How many course hours should you take?
- Talk to instructors and students—what will each course require
from you?
- Are you ready to commit to a course requiring you to write maybe
- Six essays? Several essays and a research paper? Two research papers?
Step 2: Be Wise
- Look over the course schedule
- Notice when essays will be assigned and/or when they will be due
- Know that you will need to make time for these assignments as the
semester progresses
- Reserve time for working on these projects
Step 3: Coping with the Essay Assignment
Why an Essay and not a Test?
Writing is epistemological = a way of knowing
- Essays help you to develop logic—to think through ideas
- Essays help you to synthesize information
- Essays help instructors zero in on what you understand and what you
might need to work on
- Writing helps you communicate clearly
Organizing the Writing Process
Prepare Your Writing Area
Have these supplies ready and waiting:
- Grammar/Writing Handbook
- Necessary Textbooks
- Any research materials
- Plenty of paper
- Spare cartridge or pens
- Necessary snacks
Receive the Assignment Positively
- Listen while the instructor explains what is expected
- Focus on the assignment carefully while the instructor presents this
information
- Take notes—on the assignment sheet or in your course notebook
- Write down the due date, even if it’s in the course schedule
Think Things Through
- Do you feel puzzled about anything?
- Are you clear on the purpose?
- Do you know the approach to use?
- Do you know the style?
- Do you know the audience?
- Do you understand the assignment?
Ask Questions!!
Prepare To Write:
The Long Essay Assignment
- Get out your calendar and plan backwards
- How many days/weeks do you need
- for research? for thinking? for writing? for revising and editing?
The Regular Essay Assignment
Be ready for short essay assignments before they happen!
- Keep up with reading assignments
- Attend class regularly
- Take notes and pay attention during class lectures and discussions
Feeling Overwhelmed or Frustrated?
Get Help Immediately from your instructor or the LAC
- Be prepared with specific questions
- Bring what you have written—even if it’s just messy notes
- Keep a positive, open attitude
- Be courteous and respectful—even if you are tired and frustrated
- Work to resolve your difficulties, not to create more
Here’s to your success and a semester of happy writing!
