What Do I Do If I Can't Write My Paper?

If you’re a college student, you know the feeling. A research paper assignment is looming over you. You keep thinking about it, but every time you try to work on it, you can’t write a single line in your own words.

The thought “why I can’t write this paper?” is only making you more anxious about the writing process.

If you’ve ever had to worry about the “I can’t write my essay” kind of situation, you’re hardly the first student in the world to face it. That’s good news: the solutions from best essay writing service reviews are out there. (Spoiler alert: reading essay writing service reviews can be one of them!)

3 Main Reasons Why You Might Be Struggling with Essay Writing

Before you can try to fix the “I can’t write my essay” problem, you should understand its root cause. Otherwise, you’ll be stumbling in the dark.

Here are six typical reasons why college students struggle with academic writing:

• Writer’s block (it’s when you end up thinking, “I can’t get myself to write my essay”);
• Finding the topic boring or intimidating;
• Lack of motivation and/or discipline;
• Getting constantly distracted;
• Overthinking the writing assignments;
• Having to write in a foreign language.

Let’s take a closer look at the three most common ones among them: writer’s block, terrible topics, and distractions.

You Have Writer’s Block

Even professionals like Stephen King have to face writer’s block from time to time. Don’t know what it means in practice? Well, do you ever get the thought, “I can’t write my essay because I can’t think of a single thing to put in it”? That’s exactly what writer’s block is.

If you stare at your computer screen helplessly, not knowing what to write or how to begin writing, this is probably your case.

It might be because you’re burnt out or feeling unwell. It might also be because you’re setting yourself up for failure by thinking whatever you write won’t be “good enough.” Or, perhaps, you just don’t have any ideas to get your research paper started.

What to Do

Before you can try to overcome writer’s block, you need to pinpoint its underlying cause. Think of yourself as a doctor presented with the “I can’t write my college essay” symptom appearing in the writing process. Can you identify the disease that’s causing it?

If it’s a lack of ideas, the cure would be to try different brainstorming techniques. Or, why not take a break and go for a walk or work out?

If your problem can be described as perfectionism, you should just start writing your first draft. Yes, no matter what you think of your writing quality.

Your Essay Topic Is Terrible

Another reason why you might be convinced, “I can’t write essays,” is the research paper topic itself.

Let’s face it: often, it’s assigned to you, or you have to choose the one that’s less terrible. In other words, maybe, this particular topic just isn’t a good fit for you and your interests.

So, think long and hard about how you feel about this topic. Are you interested in such academic papers? Or, you’re thinking, “I can’t be bothered to write my essay,” because of it? Or, perhaps, it seems just too complicated for you, so you feel like you don’t know where to start.

What to Do

Once you figure out the answer, you can find the response to your “help, I can’t write my essay” plea.

If the topic is intimidating or overwhelming, doing your research and creating a detailed outline will help.

If it’s plain boring, only self-discipline (a.k.a. forcing yourself to do stuff you don’t want to do) will save you.

You’re Struggling with Distractions While Essay Writing

Let’s face it: college student life is full of distractions. And you probably can’t get rid of all of them, so don’t let it make you think, “I can’t write essays”. Not that you have to get rid of them, really – all you need to do is learn to concentrate on demand.

What to Do

The next time you let yourself think “I can’t write an essay”, try:

• Finding a dedicated study space where you can work in peace (at least relatively);
• Working in a quiet environment (or tuning out the noise with music in your headphones);
• Using distraction blockers like Cold Turkey, Forest, and RescueTime.

But if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t be bothered to write my essay”, those tips above aren’t likely to help you.

In that case, you’ll still have to make a choice between fun (like going to a party) and duty. It’s up to you which one is worth your time and energy.

So, What Do I Do When I Can’t Start Writing?

If you’ve recognized yourself in the paragraphs above, you’re in luck: you already have some answers to this question.

But even if now you’re thinking, “I can’t be bothered to write my essay, and I still have no idea why,” don’t worry. Some solutions are problem-specific; others are universal and help most students no matter the cause.

What are those universal solutions? There are plenty, so let’s focus on the four of them that are simple yet the most powerful. Following at least one of these tips should put you back on track.

Just Get Started

Yes, it’s easy to advise that. But ultimately, the best solution comes down to making yourself get started on the paper. Yes, even if you think, “I can’t write my college essay even in a million years!”

3 Ways to Do It

If you don’t find it easy to just start writing, promise yourself to work on your paper for at least five minutes. You’re almost guaranteed to get so caught up in the process that five minutes will turn into fifteen and then an hour – without you even noticing it.

In case you’re worried about how your writing will turn out, try freewriting. It’s a strategy that can be summed up as “writing down everything that comes to your mind, with no filter whatsoever.” Once you’re done, you can choose your best passages!

Another trick to avoid procrastinating is scheduling your writing. Commit this much time at this hour, and show up when the time comes.

Create a Detailed Outline

Sometimes, “I can’t be bothered to write my essay” means you simply don’t know what to write about. In such a case, an outline is your best friend.

Consider it the blueprint for your paper. It doesn’t have to be well-phrased – it just has to organize your ideas and describe your key points throughout the text.

How to Create a Great Outline

So, next time you yelp to yourself, “Help I can’t write my essay,” try following these four steps toward a great outline:

• Brainstorm ideas. Write down every single idea you get. Don’t filter those ideas. In this process, bad ideas aren’t a thing.
• Have enough time for performing research. Is there any evidence to support or contradict your point of view? What new ideas does it ignite in you?
• Choose your best points. Organize your notes and settle on the main point of your paper. Then, select the statements and arguments that suit it the best. Don’t hesitate to “kill your darlings”!
• Create the outline itself. Think of it as a multi-level numbered list with body headings and subheadings.

Tip. If you still treat writing as a linear process, don’t: it rarely is. So, don’t get hung up on coming up with a knockout first sentence – it can be the last thing you jot down.

Remember to Take Breaks

Do you feel like a hamster running on a wheel? If you do, that might be the reason behind your “I can’t write an essay” problem.

Perhaps, you’re just too stressed, tired, or burned out to come up with ideas for your paper.

How to Do It

Don’t force yourself to sit in front of your laptop if nothing substantial comes out of it. If you can’t focus or experience brain fog, take a break. 

Go for a walk or do a workout – and come back to this task refreshed and energized.

Plus, don’t expect to write an entire essay in one sitting. Nothing good comes out of that. Take breaks between the key steps (outlining, writing, editing) to have a fresh perspective and catch mistakes, if there are any.

Just remember to start early to have time for all those breaks!

Hire a Professional Writer

Let’s not mingle words: sometimes, even after trying everything suggested above, you can remain in the “Help I can’t write my essay!” mode. That’s just life.

And if this hits close to home, there’s one final way you can solve this problem once and for all: outsource it to professionals.

How to Find the Right Writer

Don’t worry: you don’t have to scout social media to find a writer to help you out. There are whole services that exist for this end. They rigorously vet their writers and assure the quality of your paper.

EssayPro is one such paper writing service. If you turn to it, you can count on:

• Receiving a unique, one-of-a-kind paper;
• Being able to request as many edits as you need;
• Having 24/7 customer support ready to help you out with any question;
• Remaining anonymous, no matter what.

Need more information to make a decision? Check out essay service reviews and EssayPro reviews – and see how they compare to the DoMyEssay review, too.

How to Select a Great Essay Writing Service

Don’t know how to choose a paper writing service? Keep in mind these six questions:

• Do writers have the qualification to write about your topic?
• Do they have great reviews?
• Can they follow specific/unusual requirements?
• Do they provide a uniqueness report?
• Is there a money-back guarantee?
• How many edits can you request?

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