5 Tips For Students Writing Long-Term Papers
Nothing gets my student coaching clients frustrated faster than trying to tackle a long-term paper or project. Not only can it be difficult for them academically, but keeping track of all the steps involved, planning and prioritizing what needs to get done, as well as allotting the proper amount of time for each step, is an executive functioning nightmare! Their words, not mine.
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I’m going to lay out for you my step-by-step process. But please keep in mind that any process needs to work for the person using it. So please refer to this as a template to follow. One that can be tweaked to match your daughter’s thinking and learning styles.
1. Make an outline of the steps necessary to complete the assignment.
“Brain Dumps” help us get all those to-dos out of the brain so you can more effectively and efficiently create a plan to do them.
For written reports, the steps might look something like this:
Read rubric
Pick topic
Create thesis or theme
Select sources
Search web/research
Take notes
Make outline
Craft introduction
Write sections of paper (not necessarily in order)
Prepare bibliography
Create supporting documents
Submit for review/proofread
Final Draft
And a tip within a tip? Make your to-dos actionable. The key here is to create some movement! It’s a simple trick I use with my students to get those to-dos to literally jump off the page. For example, instead of “Introduction,” try “Craft Introduction.”
2. Break large parts of the assignment into small actionable tasks.
I can’t stress this point enough. Breaking things down into manageable parts makes working through them less overwhelming, which cuts down procrastination. AND it provides multiple opportunities to enjoy the success that comes from finishing each part. Make sure each task is specific. After all, it’s easier to write one paragraph every afternoon than it is to complete the entire research paper in one night.
And a tip within a tip? Many of my students love mind mapping, a more natural form of note-taking used to brainstorm, plan, and make connections between ideas. It speaks to their creativity and lends a visual aspect to note-taking and paper writing. In other words, it helps to lighten the mental load. SimpleMind is a favorite among my students.
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3. Estimate how much time it’s going to take to do each step.
Work backward from the due date to figure out how much time is needed to accomplish each task. Always build in extra padding. I normally tack on an extra 25 percent to act as a buffer against false starts, interruptions, and unanticipated delays.
4. Assign deadlines and schedule appointments for each task.
Assign due dates for completing each step and record them in your planner or electronic calendar. Have your daughter schedule them as regular assignments so she knows exactly when she has time to work on them. This step is so critical! Most of my students know how to complete homework that is due the next day. However, while making time for long-term assignments and projects that can be more challenging, it’s essential for getting it done.
Best strategy? Plan to finish two days in advance of the due date.
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And a tip within a tip? Because even the best-laid plans go off the rails, I always suggest you plan days to get them back on. As your daughter is entering her tasks into her calendar, add a few “Are you on track?” days (at least three to four apart) on the days she’s not scheduling any actual work. This leaves a forced check-in to make sure she’s on task, on time, and on target. If she’s not, then now is the time to get caught up. And if she is? She can consider it her “Pass Go” card!
5. Allot time for hidden tasks.
I tell my students the devil is in the details. Purchasing materials, visiting a museum or watching a movie, getting together with your group, or proofreading drafts are all steps that are easily overlooked when factoring your time.
And a tip within a tip? Free periods are free gifts. Period! Encourage your daughter to use her free periods or study hall to work. Using downtime during school breaks or teacher conference days to get a jump start on papers or projects is a great way to take the pressure off.
I find that when I lay out a roadmap for my students to follow, it eases the overwhelm and helps to overcome their procrastination. Crossing my fingers it does the same for your student!
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