Overcoming Writer's Block

* This page has been written for those essay writers who have already selected an essay topic. If you are at the very beginning stage of selecting an essay topic, please see our essay topics selection web page.

High school seniors repeatedly tell us that their biggest concern when attempting their college applications is overcoming their fear of the blank page (or blank screen). Too often they bring a lot of stress on themselves simply because they do not know how to begin and they hear those admissions deadlines ticking.

Top 5 Tips for Overcoming Writer's Block

Here are our top 5 tips to overcome writer's block and begin writing your admissions essays:

1. Give yourself a self-imposed deadline. Make it well short of the actual application deadline for obvious reasons. We know how well most college applicants write when they only have an hour to complete a paper.

2. Talk out your "story". If you are self conscious about using a friend for this, stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself about the important person in your life, what matters most to you, or whatever else it is you are trying to answer.

3. Get away from your distractions. If you need quiet, go to the library. If food is your biggest distraction, stay well clear of the refrigerator and kitchen.

4. Start anywhere. At this early stage, it doesn't matter if you start with your ending, second most important point, etc. You understand how the inertia works. Once you get started, you should be able to keep going.

5. Do NOT worry about grammar. That will come later in the essay editing portion of the timetable.