Defeating the Dreaded Deadline Doom

As final exams are upon us, this will be my last entry of the semester.

On a good day at the beach, it’s easy to lose awareness of time. Whether it’s swimming, enjoying the sand and the water, or sharing time with friends, time can move more quickly than we expect. When this happens, it isn’t long before the sun goes down, and the nice day at the beach is gone.

As good students, we should be aware of the passage of time. Because semesters often pass quickly, it’s always a good idea to manage your time as carefully as possible.

However, there may be times when there isn’t much choice but to work at the last minute. This is not always a time management problem. Sometimes circumstances arise beyond of our control. When this happens, your remaining time left becomes all the more important.

First of all, it’s important not to feel too rushed or panicked by the approaching deadline. Fear and stress are understandable, and they may even be used to help motivate you. However, they can also undermine your productivity and well-being. As you approach the assignment, don’t neglect to take care of yourself as well.

When writing on a short deadline, set a list of priorities for yourself. Focus first on the essentials. For instance, make certain you know the most important elements of the assignment, and do your best to deliver these. If there’s a set page count, think about how much you must write to meet the length requirement. Also consider any content requirements set in the assignment. If the prompt asks for a discussion of literary elements, then each literary element should be discussed in the paper. Consider your assignment prompt carefully and make certain that you’ve included all the required content before turning your attention to anything else.

However, the most important priority when facing a looming deadline is in getting the essay written. While you shouldn’t neglect grammar concerns, especially major errors like fragments and run-on sentences, you first need an essay to revise. Focus on getting a rough draft finished first. If you do have time to do some revision, consider content first, then look at major grammatical concerns before moving to the smaller ones.

Best of luck on your finals!

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!