How do you get yourself to stop procrastinating about writing a paper?

Question

I always put it off, and I write well under pressure for some reason. So it seems I just can't get anything down on paper until just before the due date.

Is there anything that helps you overcome this?

Answer 1

Yes, I quit wasting time on the computer asking useless questions and get to work.


Long Live Jambi

Answer 2

1. write down the key points of the paper. The really important bits of the paper can be summarized on a single note card.

2. write an outline. It doesn't have to be perfect the first time around, but it will give you a plan.

3. don't start writing from the beginning of the paper. Search your outline for the section which will be easiest to write, given the materials you have available.

4. assign yourself a task of completing one section of your outline every day for the next week.

5. go back and read everything you've done, reconciling the different sections and smoothing transitions between them. You may have to do a lot of rewriting here, but rewriting is easier than writing.

6. write your introduction and conclusion last.

7. throw the whole thing in a drawer for the weekend and forget about it

8. come back on Monday and read it again. Spend an hour a day for the rest of that week revising it.

9. turn in on time.

Answer 3

I am the same way...it is just something about writting a paper at the last minute and the papers at the last minute are some of m best works, and the papers that I take my time on seem to be the worst. If the paper is like 5-10 pages and it is a research paper i do tend to start early, but if it is just like a 3pg paper and i am good at writting to i do it last minute. Its a talent...some people can not do like us. But a tip would be to make yourself do a page at a time, do has much or a little as you want in advanced till the paper is due, that way even if you have to type the last page of the paper the night before it is due it still seems like you are rushing.

Answer 4

I have the same problem. Here are a few suggestions that might work:
1. Say to yourself, "What's the smallest amount of work that I could do on this right now?" Then do that. It could help you to get a little momentum. Repeat.
2. Start the paper, and it could be easier to finish. Sometimes I find that the hardest part is starting, but once I've started, I'll carry it through.
3. Establish a system of rewards that helps you to accomplish the paper. For example, for each section of the paper you complete, you could do something that you find rewarding. Or maybe for each hour you spend on the paper you could watch TV for half an hour. Something like that.

I'll be watching this question to get other great ideas!

Answer 5

Oh crap I am supposed to be doing my history essay right now. Alert!: The computer is a MAJOR source of distraction! So, start by turning off the computer. Sit somewhere far away from all electrical appliances (except the lamp!) and write on PAPER the ideas you want to include and the format/order things will go in. When you have your basic structure, it will be a lot easier to work on the paper. What you need is WILL POWER. when you get on the computer, don't open any windows except for Word (or other typing program). And stick to it til you have a good amount done. Take breaks if you have to, but don't do things on the computer because you will go off track. Just eat or walk around or something.

Answer 6

TECHNIQUES FOR PROCRASTINATORS

1. The "5 Minute" Technique
Tell yourself that you'll work for "just" 5 minutes. Before you know it, you'll have worked for well over 5 minutes (like 20? 30? more?) and you'll have made progress in the project.

2. Remind yourself of the CONSEQUENCES
Sure, we feel that sometimes we do our best work under pressure. But that's a tightrope act --- because if things go wrong, there's little time to fix it up. Remind yourself that you'll pay for late and/or shoddy work. Get scared.

3. The Checklist
List each step in your project. With a paper, you might sketch an outline, then research each item in the outline, then write a paragraph per item, and finally polish the paper with an intro, transitions and a conclusion. Cap things off with the references. Check off each item. You'll feel the progress in your project/paper, and you'll see that the larger project is made up of smaller, more manageable mini-projects/tasks.

Answer 7

I make a schedule with short term goals. So if I know I have a paper due, i'll just do a few things before hand that won't make me too antsy, like researching or jotting notes down. Other times, I'll just force myself to think about it and come up with some sort of ideas or plan for the essay.

Answer 8

Just start by putting any word that comes to your mind on paper. Then tell yourself that it would be better to get it over with and spend time afterwards doing something for yourself (as in having fun) without worrying about writing a paper.

Answer 9

Beginning the paper is sometimes the hardest part.

I write down a few points I want to make, and then begin to elaborate on them. Next thing you know, I've typed the entire paper and all I have to do is a little re-arranging for clarity.

Answer 10

Well, some people are like you. That's just how it is. As long as the assignment gets finished on time and is written well, then who cares? It's just how you operate. If you really hate how you procrastinate, then it becomes a mindset problem. You've got to threaten yourself to do it (I can't watch TV until I write at least one paragraph... I'm not going to sleep until I blah blah blah)... if you don't force yourself, then you're not going to get anywhere.

Answer 11

I have the same problem, but what I recently started doing was before I do the homework due tomorrow, I'll finish a long-term project. If I start with the homework due tomorrow, then I won't do anything else.