Homework and projects are an integral part of every student’s life no matter what age they are. So, it should come as no surprise when you’re assigned to write a research paper for class. It’s no secret that research papers are probably the least favorite assignment among students. They may find themselves spending countless hours staring at a blank piece of paper and trying to decide what they should do. That’s why for many students, when the term ‘research paper’ is heard, fear and panic immediately set in.
It makes many wonder, what is it about a research paper that strikes a chord of fear in almost every student? On the surface it seems to be just writing information that you’ve discovered in your studies but yet, for many it’s a task that they will put off until the very last minute. If you’re one of those students who literally hate writing research papers, here are a few tips that can help you break through your fears and get started on an awesome paper that will bring you praise rather than fear.
The Fear of the Unknown
One of the first things you’ll have to do is overcome your fears. Ask any group of students who hate writing research papers and chances are you’ll find that their biggest fear is not having enough information about their topic. This is a crucial aspect of writing this type of paper; you have to start with the research. It’s as simple as that. The fear of what you don’t know can be paralyzing so your first step will be to start collecting your data.
If you hate research then chances are you’re not looking forward to the task. But reality states that checking your attitude is the first step towards quality research. If you view it as a drudgery that you’d rather avoid then you’re going to be in trouble. But if you view it as though you were a private detective seeking to uncover valuable truths in a case you must solve you’ll be more inclined to tackle the task. Bottom line is that it is all about your attitude towards research. The more negative your view – the harder your task will be. Don’t limit your research efforts to books though; consider gleaning information in a more palatable way by reading, listening, digging, watching, and careful meditation. The more ways you learn, the more you’ll want to learn.
Have a Game Plan
Before you put your first word on paper, you need to have a game plan. Rather than just starting with your first thought, a careful outline organizing your thoughts will make the task much easier. You don’t need to commit yourself to a bunch of Roman numerals and proper indentation but by sketching out even a basic list of what you plan to discuss can cut your work on your paper in half.
Take a Chill Pill
Just because you have a difficult assignment doesn’t mean you have to tie yourself to your computer until the task is done. In reality, your work will be much more effective if you give yourself a break every now and then. When your mind starts to get fogged up, step away from the computer and go for a long walk, go out with your friends, talk with your family, or even watch a TV show. It will give your mind a break and allow your brain to catch up. When you return to the work, you’ll find that you see it with fresh eyes and the block you originally had won’t seem as intimidating.
Keep in mind that Knowledge is Power, the more you know about your topic, the easier your research paper will be. And when you have a game plan, the odds are good that your paper will be much easier to write. Let’s face it, writing research papers is a major part of a student’s life and it is essential that you know how to do it well. When you have a plan of action and know how to work it, the sting that is often associated with writing research papers won’t feel so frightening after all.