If you’re a writer – regardless of the type, you may be familiar with the blank page syndrome. However, if you aren’t, you may not know much about it.
Many students experience the “blank page syndrome.” It is one of the popular challenges faced when students are presented with a writing task. It manifests most of the time when dealing with a challenging topic. The thought of not knowing how to begin further leads to anxiety and, subsequently, writing block.
But dwelling on writer’s block won’t help you finish that paper with a deadline. Instead, it increases your chances of failing or scoring low grades.
How do you push past a creative block that occurs when you have a looming paper deadline? Do you relax, watch the deadline come, and fail? Or do you take action to get the writing done and on time? This article puts you through tested and trusted tips on how to overcome that writer’s block.
What is blank page anxiety & how does it affect your writing process?
Blank page anxiety is a creative block that occurs you have a blank page to write on. It’s the internal panic on how to begin a paper that is often translated as not knowing what to write. When you are experiencing writer’s block, there are some things involved. They are:
- You don’t know much about the topic
- You don’t know how to start
- You are afraid you won’t get it right
So, when these feelings start growing in your head, it makes you panic, stopping any creative thinking flow. Blank page anxiety also manifests for many reasons, and it lasts for a long time when not addressed.
What causes writer’s block in students?
Many students dwell on their inability to write an academic paper instead of finding a way to write it. Of course, writer’s block occurs like a head freeze; suddenly, you cannot create ideas that’ll fit within a page. But what’s the root cause of it? Writer’s block is not a result of nothing; there’s always an underlying reason like:
- Prolonged fatigue: if you are constantly dealing with academic stress, you might realize you are too tired to think or form ideas for a paper.
- Lack of research: have you considered your writer’s block might be because you’ve not done the necessary research for the topic?
- Lack of confidence: self-confidence influences every single thing we do. So, when you realize you’re afraid of writing that paper, it could be your self-confidence stopping you.
How to get rid of writer’s block
Now, it’s one thing to understand the cause of your writer’s block and another thing to deal with it. If you are constantly dealing with writer’s block each time you have a paper to do, it’s time to administer some cure. Below are reliable ways of overcoming writer’s anxiety quickly.
- Work on your self-confidence
The first step for curing writer’s block is setting a foundation for that to take place. If you intend to deal with regular creative blocks, you must develop a sustainable ground upon which your writing will thrive.
- Conduct thorough research
Once you’ve developed an “I can do it” mindset, you are set to work before writing on that topic. Conduct thorough research if you don’t want to be staring at the blank page for hours. Research is a necessary writing tool that builds your knowledge and awareness of a topic.
- Set a routine
Procrastination quickly creeps in when writing. Indulging in procrastination means less time to do the writing. Instead of procrastinating, set a writing routine that keeps you active when writing.
- Have a writing prompt
Writing prompts are helpful when you have a task like an academic paper. Your writing prompt outlines all the relevant aspects of your writing and guides you while writing.
- Start with the easy part
There’s always going to be a challenging part in every writing process. Dwelling on it limits your chances of continuing with your work. Instead of dwelling on the challenging parts, start with the ones that come easily.
- Exchange ideas with others
Exchange points and ideas with other students, and gain feedback from classmates or people in your writing group. Others’ opinion on your topic helps you learn more, enabling your writing.
- Take writing breaks
Writing breaks is essential to reduce stress, ease your mind and return with a fresh perspective. Break your writing tasks down and indulge in breaks often.
- Avoid distractions
Welcoming continued distractions limits your writing process. Set a writing timetable and prioritize focus when you are writing.
Conclusion
Dealing with writer’s block is debilitating for both students and writers. But the above-listed writer’s block cures help you navigate the process.
