As finals week approaches and you have two essays due, a presentation tomorrow, studying upon studying to power through, it’s easy for burnout to hit you like a truck – it’s hit me like a damn train. So, how does one overcome this phenomenon, especially during a time of high stress, high expectations, and low motivation… Let me walk you through some tips.
Just Breathe
When you’ve hit burnout and writer’s block has corrupted your mind, it’s important to just simply breathe and let yourself reset. Giving yourself a small break to relax does more wonders than you’d believe. Writer’s block can be a combination of doing too much for too long and your brain just cannot keep up anymore.
Take a nap.
Go for a walk.
Draw for a little bit, even paint.
Bake some cookies.
Watch a fun little rom-com or a heart-thumping thriller.
Instead of writing, try to read a comforting book.
Once your mind is clear and you have a little more room to think, then try to get back to work.
Brainstorm
Writer’s block comes from more than just burnout – sometimes you just have no idea what to write whatsoever. If your mind is blank and empty, I suggest you grab a paper and pen and start writing.
I’m not saying to write your assignment, but just any idea that hits your mind. It could be single words, ideas for evidence, ideas for your hook, or anything related to your writing or assignment. It can even be a random doodle – anything that hits your mind when thinking about your work. From personal experience, this works pretty well. You don’t have to intensely think or focus about what you are doing – just let your mind wander and pen follow. Once you’re done, you’ll see a plethora of ideas to use for your assignment.
Look for Examples
If it’s an essay you’re stumbling on, most likely your instructor has posted examples to look at. It’s very important for you to utilize those examples! Writer’s block can sometimes come from pure confusion for an assignment and being lost on what to do. When you look at previous works, you can find a base and structure to work off. And while you should never copy these – you can be inspired by their ideas or how you want to format your work based off of them.
If you’re writing a personal item or just for fun and can’t seem to get what you want on paper, try reading works of a similar genre! It will activate the creative gears in your brain and trust me, your mind will be full of inspiration. You’ll be itching to write afterwards.
Writing can be so incredibly fun, but also incredibly energy-consuming – especially when all five of your classes have essays due in the next week. Remember to give yourself breaks and use all the resources available to you. Good luck on finals and write on!