Late-Night Essay Tips

    It is nine o’clock on a Sunday night.  You have done your nightly bedtime routine, and have just laid down in bed when you receive a text from a friend.  The text is asking how many pages long was your essay.  Shoot! You have completely forgot about the essay that was due the next day in English, and you know that receiving a bad grade on this assignment will completely jeopardize your grade.  You are really tired from the long weekend, but you know that you have to write this paper.  So what do you do?  Here are a few helpful tips on how to effectively hammer out an essay late at night:

1. Turn on Motivational Music.  There is nothing more motivational than listening to “Eye of the Tiger” when you are trying to accomplish something.  Personally speaking, 80’s rock is the most motivational, but it is honestly a personal preference.  Maybe you cannot concentrate when there are words in music while you are working.  In this case, it is best to listen to scores of songs.  REMEMBER: you are trying to stay awake, so avoid slow songs.
2. Grab Your Favorite Drink and Snack.  You will be up for a while writing your paper, so it is important to stay fueled during this time.  It is best to avoid foods and drinks high in sugar.  Even though they give you a short burst of energy, they often cause the body to crash after a short period of time.  Also be sure to avoid foods and drinks that make you feel heavy or drowsy.  You do not want to feel weighed down when you are trying to stay up.  A few examples of good choices are: apples, bananas, oranges, peanut butter, granola bars, water, juice, or Gatorade.  
3. Set Goals.  Set goals for yourself.  By having goals you will be able to work more effectively and purposefully.  Be sure to have an incentive for these goals, such as when you finish the first page you will have a two minute break.
4. Do Not Sit Idly. Often times when writing it is easy to fall in the trap of writer’s block.  Do NOT fall into this trap.  If you cannot find the words to say for a particular section leave yourself an attention grabbing note to return to this section later, and move on to the next part.  It is better to skip sections of your essay with the intent to return to them, than to sit idly staring at a blank computer screen.
5. SAVE YOUR WORK! Save your work after every paragraph.  There is nothing worse than being at the end of your unsaved essay when your computer decides to restart.  It may seem tedious to do this, but it will pay off in the end.
6. Be Positive.  A negative mind will never accomplish anything in a timely manner.  Stay positive! Yes, not getting any sleep stinks, but it is your fault that you are in this predicament.  Accept your situation, and try to move forward with a positive attitude.
7. Go to Sleep Right After.  Do not stay up any longer than necessary.  It can be tempting to stay up later on your phone or watching tv, but do not do this!  You will need all of the sleep you can get for the next day.  Do not bother to revise your paper that night.  Set your alarm fifteen minutes earlier than usual to get up and revise your paper.  If you proof read it at night you are exhausted, and less likely to make mistakes.

        Good luck, and happy paper writing!
Staff Reporter- Maddie Wright