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Top time management tips for essay Top time management tips for essay writingwriting

When you’re a student and you’re handed an essay to write with a tight deadline, the chances are that this is one of many!

Time management tips can provide some comfort that you will get the job done on time and with good results.

Here are a few that you can apply to combat the stress and beat the clock:

Start early

The most difficult part of writing an essay has to be starting it.

• Start writing it at your earliest opportunity when the ideas are fresh.

• Do as much research as you can so that you can add to your initial ‘brainstorm’ ideas and make a note of the points you need to work on.

• Don’t worry if you are overloaded with research – you can pick and choose the vital points as you get to grips with the contents of your essay.

Know your limits

Remember, you know how you work at your best.

Some people find that working one or two hours a day on an essay is really productive. Others need to sustain longer periods of time to make progress.

• Consider drawing up a timetable to see how your writing time fits in with your other plans.

• If the timetable works and you’re making headway, stick to it!

Write an essay plan

Many of us regret it when we rush into a piece of work without considering where it is heading.

• Don’t skip the planning stage when writing an essay because you think it is taking up vital time.

• Go back to the basics of essay structuring and lay out your introduction, arguments and conclusion.

• Don’t give too much time to the introduction and conclusion. Spend as much time as you can on the main body of the essay.

• Return to the introduction and conclusion later to tighten them up and make them more specific.

Keep focused

The substance of your essay will, no doubt, require immense concentration.

Working effectively on this means being in the right environment.

• Make the effort to maintain writing in your preferred way. This could be under quiet conditions, with some background noise or even in the library.

• Plan where you are going to work but also make the most of opportunities when they arise.

• If a moment pops up and you feel able to progress, turn to your pen and paper.

Leave time for checking

It is unusual for an essay writer to check over their work and find no room for improvement!

Vital arguments could be missing, spelling and grammar mistakes made or references written incorrectly.

• Find some capacity to rectify any niggling errors.

• Leave enough time for someone else to proofread your work, even if it is not their specialist area.

• Listen to others’ feedback on the flow and structure of the essay, not just spelling mistakes.

Conclusion

From the moment you get your essay question, plan what you want to include and how you are going to draw it to a conclusion.

Remember, don’t undermine the amount of research you may have to do – this will provide you with the balanced arguments you may need in the substance of your essay.

It will benefit you to have lots of contents that you can cut down rather than little contents that you have to frantically pad out at the end!

Make sure you follow these time management tips to help keep time on your side.