Many students think they can start and finish a large assignment, such as a major paper, in the two or three days just before the due date. Even if you set aside a couple of days to only work on a large project, you can hardly use the time efficiently to finish it without any preparation and planning. For instance, if you have to write a ten-page paper, you will find it almost impossible to choose a topic, research it to find relevant information, take notes, create an outline, write a first draft, proofread, and revise your paper all in two or three days. The processes of gathering information and writing about a topic not only take time but also require thinking about and understanding the information for proper use in the paper. (You’ll learn more about this in the chapter on “Writing and Speaking.”)

Break large assignments such as major papers into smaller steps with deadlines. For example, you can establish a deadline for yourself to choose a topic. Then you can spend time over the next few weeks to research your topic, take notes, and begin drafting your paper. Breaking a large project into smaller steps is something you will probably have to do for yourself. Most instructors won’t provide this level of detailed assistance for writing assignments during class time, but you can still meet with your instructors before or after class or during office hours, seek help from the writing center tutors or your college librarians. Taking a step-by-step approach to your first few papers or projects will give you experience you can apply to your future coursework. It will also give you more control over how you are spending your time and energy and reduce your stress.