How to overcome anxiety over writing papers?

Dear Reader,

Sounds like you may be dealing with a classic case of writer’s anxiety (sometimes known as writer’s block)! Writer’s block is when you are unable to begin, continue, or complete a writing task. You aren’t alone; many students struggle with writing papers. That said, there could be many factors contributing to your fears about writing papers. Perfectionism, procrastination, and fear of judgement are a couple of possible explanations for your experience. Luckily, there are some strategies that may help you out of this rut.  

Why might I be anxious about writing papers? 

Anxiety about writing papers can have many possible causes. Physical factors such as fatigue, sleep deprivation, or higher levels of stress can contribute to this. There are also mental factors, such as perfectionism, fear of failure, and lack of motivation. Furthermore, anxious feelings can happen if you don’t have a clear understanding of the assignment or feel uncertain about the topic that you’re expected to write about.  

You mentioned that studying for and taking tests doesn’t cause as much stress. When taking a test, there is often a clear right or wrong answer, so the grading process is objective. Papers, on the other hand, may feel more vulnerable due to subjective grading. It’s possible that being graded on a paper feels more personal than receiving a grade on a test. Tests are typically completed in a set amount of time, but papers can be worked on for hours, days, or even longer! Writing a paper typically requires time management and focus in a different way than a test. 

 Taking the time to reflect and learn about what is behind your writing anxiety may help you figure out helpful strategies to manage your feelings. 

What can I do to overcome my fear of writing papers? 

You can try different strategies related to writing practices. These can help you start getting the words on paper: 

• Free writing. This practice involves writing whatever comes to mind about a specific topic for a designated amount of time (for example, 5 to10 minutes). This practice allows you to write without any pressure or expectation about what’s written. It may help you overcome the initial barrier of getting started.  
• Start from the middle. Some people get stuck when they attempt to write in perfect order from the beginning. Consider starting by writing whatever section comes most naturally. You can always reorganize, add, and edit later. 
• Minimize distractions. Getting into the zone is hard if your attention is pulled in many different directions. You may consider silencing non-urgent notifications or finding a quiet place that allows you to focus. 
• Concentration techniques. It can be helpful to balance periods of concentration with brain breaks. For example, the Pomodoro Technique is when you work on a single task for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break. After completing this cycle 4 times, give yourself a longer, 15 to30 minute brain break to come back to your writing with a fresh perspective.   

It also may be helpful to try strategies to shift your mindset or expectations around writing papers. For example,  

• Allow the first draft to be a true draft. Try not to let small roadblocks disrupt your flow! If you’re getting stuck on finding the right wording or are unsure about citation format, consider highlighting that section and coming back to it later.  
• Get started early. Procrastination can lead to increased anxiety because you may have less time to work through the draft process. The more time you have for a writing assignment, the less pressure is on the first draft. 

• Review the rubric: Many professors create a scoring guide to show how they’ll grade the paper. This can help you align your writing with the grading system. 

• Break the paper into smaller sections. Sometimes, thinking about the final product is overwhelming and makes it hard to get started. You could try setting small, realistic goals for yourself, such as writing one paragraph per day.  
• Practice self-compassion. Try to remember that your best is enough, and your value isn’t attached to the grade you get on one writing assignment.  

What works for one person may be different than what works for someone else, so be patient with yourself as you figure out what strategies are most helpful. It may be a process of trial and error to figure out what works best for you.  

Where can I go for writing support?  

Luckily, college campuses often have many resources that can help students overcome writer’s block and other writing-related difficulties. You may consider reaching out to your professor to get clarity about the assignment or their expectations. Additionally, many schools have writing centers, which are dedicated to helping students with every part of the writing process (even before you begin writing!). They can help with brainstorming, drafting, and editing your paper. Furthermore, if your writing anxiety is causing a lot of distress or impacting other parts of your life, it could be helpful to talk with a mental health professional about what’s going on.  

Write on!