Monday 07-08-2017 - 14:21

I have never been that good at writing essays, in almost every way I’m still not. When I came to university it had been a few years since I wrote anything remotely relevant, having worked a few years in various retail jobs. The first piece of work I did here at Glyndwr was a 2500 word essay on various stages of business history, which irrelevant of the subject is quite a lot to write. It felt like pulling teeth, I was sat in front of a computer for hours and hours slowly writing the essay out. I like to think that I’ve come a long way since then in that I don’t find it quite so hard to sit down and write essays anymore.

There’s a few things I wanted to talk about writing essays coming from someone who has had to do it a lot and doesn’t like it.

1. Have each point you want to make clear in your head.
2. Try to fully explain your thinking.
3. Reread what you have wrote.
4. Give yourself time.

 

I find some of these easier than others, I hate rereading my work, but once I’m writing I don’t have much of a problem continuing anymore. Ultimately I have gotten better at writing essays, I’ve certainly gotten quicker. The practices that I started in my first year have basically carried me through my degree, so setting good precedents is helpful. I’ve learnt, for better or worse, to accept that I procrastinate. Everyone does it, I found myself watching endless Ted talks or “10 greatest movie villains” videos on YouTube and that’s ok as long as I get my mind back on track (the hard part). Getting back on track for me usually means a break, taking a few minutes away from my phone and laptop to make a cup of tea or coffee, to give myself time to refocus. Cleaning is good for this because at least then I’m procrastinating in a tidy room.

So I’m going to stop rambling now about how productive I am and actually do some work.