subject: Writing Successful College Term Papers [print this page] Every student writes college term papers during their collegiate career. It's vital that students understand how to write excellent papers. Some students may feel intimidated by writing college term papers. "I don't know how to write!" these students may cry. "I don't know how to research!" other students may say about college term papers. These are two of the biggest challenges the college student must face when writing college term papers: writing and researching successfully.
Fortunately both of these can be accomplished with a bit of effort, persistence and creative thinking.
Begin by reading the instructions for your paper and be sure that you understand them clearly. Some students get so nervous about writing a term paper that they skim the directions, missing important information.
They don't realize the paper needs to be 10 pages when they are writing a 5 page paper. Or that they should be using 8 sources when they are only using 3 sources. Reading the instructions carefully and slowly will help you avoid any misunderstandings and keep you on track with your college paper assignment.
Visit your college library to obtain resources. Some these papers can be written solely with online resources, read the directions you are given. Other professors prefer you to use a combination of journal articles and books. Getting your resources first is critical because you thinking about these resources will help to shape the focus of your college term paper.
Sometimes your focus will change as you realize the resources are leading you in a different direction. This can make some students nervous, but this is actually part of the learning process and all part of being a student and discovering the subject you're studying.
Create an outline for your college essay. At times your college professor may have made suggestions as to the direction of the outline you are to take. Follow their instructions if they have been given. An outline will also help you organize your research and thoughts about the research you've found.
Write a first draft of your college term paper without censoring your spelling or grammar errors. Get your first draft out on paper or on the computer screen. Once you have a first draft in front of you, changes can be made. It's very hard to change a completely blank screen.
Let your college term paper rest for a little while before editing it. This is a critical point to your success. Going back over your term paper with fresh eyes is far more useful than your tired eyes ever would be. Whether you can put your college term paper down for a few hours or even a day or two - know that this time is well worth it. It can help you catch errors you might miss otherwise. This could cost you a letter grade otherwise. Taking this time is useful in many ways for your papers.
