As we wrap up the first summer session and deadlines approach, many students may be feeling burnt out, unmotivated, or overwhelmed. Here at Ball State’s Writing Center, we understand the struggle, so we wanted to share some writing tips to help push you toward the finish line! Of course, we always recommend making an appointment with one of our tutors, but we hope that this advice provides help even when you can’t come in.

Tip 1: Set some goals

The end of any semester is always busy and hectic for students, with so many different deadlines approaching at once. It can be hard to juggle so many projects at the same time, so our first tip involves some organization. We recommend setting individual goals for yourself, such as finishing an outline for one project by a certain time or allotting specific work sessions to a particular assignment. Maybe you want to work on an essay on Monday and work on a report on Tuesday. This way of dividing your time will keep your different projects from overwhelming you. It’s also useful if you create these goals around the different project deadlines. Of course, this tip is most effective if you give yourself proper time to work on each project before the approaching deadlines, so try not to procrastinate!

Tip 2: Don’t be afraid to write “bad” first drafts

Sitting down and properly starting a paper, for many writers, is the hardest hurdle to overcome in the writing process, but the easiest way to fight this is to simply start writing, as ironic as that might sound. Many writers hesitate to start because they have an unrealistic expectation of perfection for their first draft. However, first drafts are never perfect. Behind every published article or piece of literature is a trail of “bad” drafts. Always remember that it is far easier to edit mistakes rather than a blank page. You might start by simply jotting notes of all your thoughts or using text to speech to ramble about what you want to write about. The structure of the piece can always fall into place later.

Tip 3: Take a break

Writing can be quite a taxing process and tiring for your brain, maybe without you realizing it. Taking breaks between writing sessions can be just as important for your thought process as actively writing is, as it will prevent effects such as burn out that can greatly harm your motivation. These breaks can cultivate new ideas, help you to get your current ideas in order, and allow you to come back to your work with a pair of fresh eyes. Keep in mind that these breaks should still be productive, as you don’t want to shut your mind off completely, making it harder to get back into the flow of writing again. Instead, try going for a walk, getting some fresh air, or preparing a study snack. These tasks will take your mind off the task at hand, but keeps you in the productive flow.

Overall, managing your time and tackling projects one at a time is the best prescription for getting through the last few weeks of a college semester. We hope these tips are beneficial for when you find yourself overwhelmed by deadlines, but if you need an extra push, we are here at the Writing Center to support you and your work as well. Remember that we are happy to take a look at any of your writing projects, whether that be essays, presentations, discussion posts, etc. Good luck wrapping up Summer 1!