What am I supposed to do???
My online college classes have been incredibly stressful, and my daily routine has turned into a monotonous cycle of waking up, doing schoolwork, and going to sleep. As a result, most of my assignments have been submitted on the same day they were due, often completed just hours before the deadline.
Now, I’ve come across an assignment due on February 8th labeled “mini-essay.” I figured that would be manageable because mini-essays are usually around 300-600 words, right? WRONG. This so-called “mini-essay” is FIVE PAGES long???? Excuse me???
What am I supposed to do with this? Last semester, I had a final that was only 3 pages, and we were informed about it at the beginning of the term, giving us the entire semester to prepare. And now, I have FOUR DAYS to write five pages? To make matters worse, I only discovered this assignment by checking my schedule ahead of time; we weren’t warned in advance.
Is this going to be a common occurrence throughout my college years? (I’m in my second semester of freshman year.) How am I supposed to handle this???
It sounds like you’re really overwhelmed right now, and that’s totally understandable—transitioning to college, especially online, can be really challenging. Here are a few steps you can take to tackle this situation:
Break it Down: Take those five pages and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Set goals for yourself, like writing one page every few hours. Focusing on one section at a time can make it feel less daunting.
Draft Quickly: Don’t worry about making it perfect on the first go. Get your ideas down and focus on getting to that five-page mark. You can always revise and improve later.
Reach Out for Help: If the assignment feels overwhelming, consider reaching out to your professor or classmates for clarification or guidance. Sometimes discussing the topic can spark ideas and reduce stress.
Utilize Resources: Check if your college has writing centers or tutoring services. They can help you brainstorm ideas or provide feedback on your draft.
Manage Your Time: If you have other assignments or commitments, try to plan your time for the next few days. Prioritize this mini-essay to ensure you dedicate enough focus to it.
Practice Self-Care: Don’t forget to take breaks and take care of yourself during this stressful time. Staying physically and mentally healthy will help you perform better.
As for your concerns about what to expect in the future, it’s normal for college courses to vary widely in terms of workload and expectations. Some assignments will be more challenging than others, and you’ll learn to adapt over time. Just remember, every student goes through this learning curve, and you’re not alone in feeling this way. Good luck with your essay! You’ve got this!