Whether you’re a first-time student or a seasoned vet, writing can be daunting. It can feel like such a task – one that requires tons of precision and skill. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many students find academic writing to be one of the most intimidating things they have to do. This is where anxiety comes in. 

Academic writing can be stressful for a variety of reasons: from the pressure to perform in front of classmates to the fear of making mistakes. No matter how you feel about it, though, you need to write like the pros if you want to achieve success in your academic career. 

Back in my college days, I was lucky enough to have peers and seniors who would help me write a thesis, but now, you can simply hire a professional writer to do it for you. Here are tips that will help you overcome academic writing anxiety and write like the pro you are capable of becoming.

Identify Your Academic Writing Goals

Before starting to write, determine what you want to achieve with your research paper or essay. Are you looking to improve your critical thinking skills? Improve your communication abilities? Increase your knowledge base? Once you know what you are hoping to gain from writing, focus on honing those skills while maintaining a consistent voice throughout your work. 

Know What Makes You Anxious

The first step to overcoming academic writing anxiety is understanding what is causing it. Many students struggle with academic writing because they are afraid of feedback, or they think that their peers and professors are more critical than they really are. However, these fears are often unfounded. In fact, most professors give feedback that is constructive and helpful.

If you’re struggling with academic writing because you’re uncomfortable with being criticized, try setting up a personal workspace where you can work without any distractions. Write out your thoughts in a text document or on a whiteboard so that you have everything neatly laid out before you start typing. This will help to reduce the intimidation factor and make it easier for you to organize your thoughts.

Get Organized Before You Start Typing

Next, get organized by creating an outline or outline template before you start drafting your essay. This will help to streamline your thinking and keep your essay on track. Once you have your outline in place, identify the main points that you want to address in your essay and list them in chronological order. 

Note: Do not worry about including every detail at this stage; focus on getting the main points down correctly.

Understand the Different Writing Modes

Some students find academic writing to be daunting and anxiety-inducing. However, with a bit of understanding of the different writing modes, you can overcome your anxiety and write like a pro.

One common mode is the expository essay. This type of essay is intended to inform or persuade readers about a particular topic. To write an effective expository essay, you need to first understand the audience you’re writing for and what they want to learn. Next, you need to research your topic thoroughly so that you have accurate information at your disposal. Finally, develop a strong thesis statement that will guide your entire essay.

Another popular academic writing mode is the argumentative paper. In an argumentative paper, you’ll be tasked with defending or arguing a particular viewpoint. As with expository essays, it’s important to understand your audience and what they want from the paper before starting work. 

After this groundwork is completed, you should create a strong case for your viewpoint by citing evidence and outlining your points logically.

Identify Your Writer’s Blockers

Academic writing can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and some help, it can become easier to get your ideas out and onto paper. Here are some common writer’s blockers and how to address them:

Fear of Failure: Successfully completing an academic writing assignment requires time, effort and discipline. If you find yourself constantly fearing that you won’t be able to meet these standards, then it might be time to explore why this fear is creeping into your mind. Maybe you need to reassess your expectations for success or talk to a trusted advisor about your struggles.

Lack of Ideas: Sometimes the problem isn’t that we don’t have any interesting ideas, but that we don’t know where to start. Before beginning an academic writing project, it can be helpful to brainstorm a list of topics that interest you. 

Once you have a few potential topics in mind, try reading up on them or looking for sources that will provide more information. This research will help give your essays structure and direction.

Exhaustion: Student life is full of activity. From attending classes to working a part-time job, having a social life and participating in the extracurriculars, things can get tiring. An exhausted mind will not be able to produce ideas and write as well as when you are well rested. So, make sure to write your thesis after waking up first thing in the morning or an afternoon nap.

Use Tools to Overcome Anxiety and Write Anyway

There are many tools that can help overcome academic writing anxiety. One of the most important things you can do is to find a support group or online community. These groups offer validation and encouragement, which can be invaluable when struggling with an undesirable writing habit.

Additionally, using tools such as self-test forms, flashcards, and timers can help to keep you organized and on track. Finally, taking breaks frequently can help to calm your nerves and allow you to return to your work with fresh energy.