It happens every semester. You know in advance when it will be due, but you continue to put it off until those last few days, avoiding all aspects of it. That first paper is always the hardest to write. Whether it’s for a class that you’re completely lost in or you just can’t seem to figure out what to write, the first paper is always the one inevitable assignment at the start of the semester.

I have sat at my computer countless times and stared at the screen, trying to determine how to even start writing. Prior to writing the paper, I know exactly what to do, yet when I actually sit down at my computer and begin to type, I have no idea what it was that I was going to write about. There are just too many thoughts going on inside my head. It usually takes me hours to finally determine what I’m really trying to say.

Then there are the essay assignments that leave me truly baffled. What do you do when you have no idea what to write? How do you begin a paper when you don’t know where to begin? If only writing a paper were as easy as finding ways to avoid it, but unfortunately that is not the case.

So how do you get past writer’s block? I wish I had the answer to this question, but there really is no true definable solution. Even though everyone has been there – students, professors, even professional writers — there is no right answer. There are, however, numerous solutions and approaches to get past writer’s block. Many of these solutions will even get you right past that first sentence and on to the conclusion of the paper.

Usually, when I’m struggling with developing my ideas, I create an outline for my paper. It helps me put all my ideas down in a way that is organized and more coherent. It gets all my thoughts out of my head and onto the paper where I can actually see them, so they’re not all jumbled up in my mind.

If that still doesn’t work, I then put some music on. Getting another type of noise going sometimes helps me to stop focusing on all the confusion in my head and start honing in on one main idea for my paper.

If you don’t have a clue what to write, the worst thing to do is panic. A paper is just a paper; it’s not the end of the world if you can’t figure out what to write. When you begin to develop anxiety over a paper, it will become very difficult to actually sit down and focus on writing.

Professors are a great resource to help you with a paper or answer any questions that you may have. Chances are they have been there before too, and are more than willing to help you out. The Academic Support Center in the library is another great resource to help you. There is always a peer tutor available to help with research or developing a paper, or even just to proofread.

Lastly, it’s always important to take breaks when writing, especially when you feel lost or frustrated. Sure, it may be the night before the paper is due, but even a 10-minute break can help clear your mind. Writing papers are mentally exhausting; they are even harder when you’re having trouble coming up with ideas or losing track of what you are trying to say.

Always remember to take that short time to clear your head, whether it’s taking a walk, eating some food, grabbing some coffee, or maybe even taking a Facebook break. Most importantly, just make sure you don’t forget that you have a paper to write.