No matter what I try, I just can't do my essay and have no clue what to do

6

I've been struggling with one essay in particular since I started, and it's two days until the due date and I still can barely get past 100 words. I've asked my tutor for help, got her to read over my plan and been told its fine, but I just cant do it. I even have an extension since I got the flu, but I'm still getting nowhere. The readings don't make sense to me, I have no clue how to use them or how to write this. I genuinely feel like I won't be able to write anything to submit and I'm so stressed because I feel like I physically cant do it. I spent 5 hours in the library yesterday trying to do readings and it was just not going in, I dont understand any of it. I don't know what to do. I have work for the next two days as well, so I cant even spend the whole two days studying. I feel like I'm going to fail miserably

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Original post

by Veli945

I've been struggling with one essay in particular since I started, and it's two days until the due date and I still can barely get past 100 words. I've asked my tutor for help, got her to read over my plan and been told its fine, but I just cant do it. I even have an extension since I got the flu, but I'm still getting nowhere. The readings don't make sense to me, I have no clue how to use them or how to write this. I genuinely feel like I won't be able to write anything to submit and I'm so stressed because I feel like I physically cant do it. I spent 5 hours in the library yesterday trying to do readings and it was just not going in, I dont understand any of it. I don't know what to do. I have work for the next two days as well, so I cant even spend the whole two days studying. I feel like I'm going to fail miserably

Hi

Sorry to hear this essay is stressing you out.

You said that you're tutor has said you're essay plan is fine so your obviously doing it correctly.

If the readings are hard to understand then chose a shorter one that you understand for now. You could take each point you made and make small paragraphs then expand once you understand more as you write. Keep it simple so you don’t get stressed again.

Avoid over-reading but instead look at the readings and write down your view on it. You don't need a perfect answer but just your view on it. Look at sentence starters and use connectives to bring your essay together.

Good luck with it.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by Veli945

I've been struggling with one essay in particular since I started, and it's two days until the due date and I still can barely get past 100 words. I've asked my tutor for help, got her to read over my plan and been told its fine, but I just cant do it. I even have an extension since I got the flu, but I'm still getting nowhere. The readings don't make sense to me, I have no clue how to use them or how to write this. I genuinely feel like I won't be able to write anything to submit and I'm so stressed because I feel like I physically cant do it. I spent 5 hours in the library yesterday trying to do readings and it was just not going in, I dont understand any of it. I don't know what to do. I have work for the next two days as well, so I cant even spend the whole two days studying. I feel like I'm going to fail miserably

If you have a plan that you've had people tell you seems good then I would suggest rather than thinking about writing the whole essay and about the whole readings, just look at your plan and go to each point and start expanding those a bit, start by adding more bullet points for example, make a note where you need some evidence to back up a point etc, and work through the whole thing like that. Then just iteratively go through adding more detail to each bullet point, further sub-bullets etc. You can build up a lot of your words just through doing that and then it's relatively less work adding a few more words to basically transform it into flowing prose instead.

Also bear in mind: finished is better than perfect. It's better to hand in something even if you don't think it's that good, than to fret about not writing something really good and that you're sure you've understood everything perfectly for, and end up not handing anything in. As no matter what, even a 40% on a just passable essay is more than a 0% on no essay submitted! Plus, it's quite likely you may find that you get a better result than you expect anyway (and you'll kick yourself if you would have ended up getting 60% or more, but didn't submit or submitted late and got the marks capped at 40% or something).

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

Hello

I am going give my two cents on this.

If someone asked me to break down quantum physics and write an essay on it I don’t know if I’ll be able to feel confident doing it.

But here’s the thing about essay I learnt about. Apparently essay means to ‘try’.

So I ask you honestly write about your confusion with the confusion you’ve expressed. I am not kidding. The reading that is confusing you most likely has some substance to it. Explore that.

‘This piece of information i cite from @@@@@ implies that the future of quantum physics is uncertain. However, upon further reading there is a lack of clarity in this rhetoric expressed through multiple sources. There seems to be a point of confusion.’ (Absolutely made up)

My personal experience has been that as long as you express a clear opinion even if it’s on the confusion or lack of clarity within a given subject and you back it with evidence or support then it’s solid.

Reply 4

ARUStudents

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Veli945

I've been struggling with one essay in particular since I started, and it's two days until the due date and I still can barely get past 100 words. I've asked my tutor for help, got her to read over my plan and been told its fine, but I just cant do it. I even have an extension since I got the flu, but I'm still getting nowhere. The readings don't make sense to me, I have no clue how to use them or how to write this. I genuinely feel like I won't be able to write anything to submit and I'm so stressed because I feel like I physically cant do it. I spent 5 hours in the library yesterday trying to do readings and it was just not going in, I dont understand any of it. I don't know what to do. I have work for the next two days as well, so I cant even spend the whole two days studying. I feel like I'm going to fail miserably

Hey,

I’m sorry you’re feeling this overwhelmed… What you’re describing is completely understandable in your circumstances. I promise this doesn’t mean you’re not capable though, it just means your brain is overloaded.

Here’s what I suggest:

1.

You don’t necessarily need to understand everything in your readings, but just enough to answer the research questions. Pick one or two key readings and only focus on them for now. It’s fine to use a smaller number of references too, as long as they’re relevant and credible.

2.

Break the essay into smaller steps/ tasks.

3.

Use your plan as a mini script. If your tutor said your plan is fine, trust that. Try turn each bullet point into 3-4 sentences.

4.

You don’t need a perfect essay, you need a submitted one. You’re working, you’re stressed, and you were sick, it’s okay to have a rougher piece of work.

5.

Brain dump for 25 minutes. Write anything that comes to mind. Write it rough, messy, your thoughts and ideas in that moment. Sentences can be “cleaned” later. This will help you when writing the “main body” of the essay.

Also, please don’t panic. You’re not going to fail, you’re just having a very humane moment under a lot of pressure. Once you get even just a short draft written, things will start to feel more manageable.

You’ve already shown you care by putting in the time and asking for help. You can get something together, and it does not have to be perfect to pass. Best of luck! :smile:

Sabina

Reply 5

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Veli945

I've been struggling with one essay in particular since I started, and it's two days until the due date and I still can barely get past 100 words. I've asked my tutor for help, got her to read over my plan and been told its fine, but I just cant do it. I even have an extension since I got the flu, but I'm still getting nowhere. The readings don't make sense to me, I have no clue how to use them or how to write this. I genuinely feel like I won't be able to write anything to submit and I'm so stressed because I feel like I physically cant do it. I spent 5 hours in the library yesterday trying to do readings and it was just not going in, I dont understand any of it. I don't know what to do. I have work for the next two days as well, so I cant even spend the whole two days studying. I feel like I'm going to fail miserably

Hi @Veli945 👋

I am sorry to hear this essay is stressing you so much! It is a good step to talk to your tutor so that is good. Try reading it over again and just do it when you are relaxed as it may make sense eventually. I also recommend going to lecturers and asking for help too so they can see what they can do. Otherwise it could be useful to talk to your coursemates so they could help explain it and give you some advice!

Good luck, i am sure you will figure it out 🤞

Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜

Reply 6

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

13

Original post

by Veli945

I've been struggling with one essay in particular since I started, and it's two days until the due date and I still can barely get past 100 words. I've asked my tutor for help, got her to read over my plan and been told its fine, but I just cant do it. I even have an extension since I got the flu, but I'm still getting nowhere. The readings don't make sense to me, I have no clue how to use them or how to write this. I genuinely feel like I won't be able to write anything to submit and I'm so stressed because I feel like I physically cant do it. I spent 5 hours in the library yesterday trying to do readings and it was just not going in, I dont understand any of it. I don't know what to do. I have work for the next two days as well, so I cant even spend the whole two days studying. I feel like I'm going to fail miserably

Hey @Veli945,

I'm sorry to hear you've had such a difficult time writing this essay. When I had the flu in my second year of undergrad, it took me a while to feel motivated again - so I wouldn't worry too much about this being a permanent problem or any reflection of your true academic capabilities.

As mentioned above, give it your best shot and submit whatever you have by the deadline. It may not be the best piece of work you've ever written, but it'll definitely be deserving of more than a zero. You can improve your overall year average in other assignments when you feel more like yourself.

Hope you feel better soon and best of luck,
Eve (Kingston Rep).

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 7

De Montfort University

Official Rep

17

Original post

by Veli945

I've been struggling with one essay in particular since I started, and it's two days until the due date and I still can barely get past 100 words. I've asked my tutor for help, got her to read over my plan and been told its fine, but I just cant do it. I even have an extension since I got the flu, but I'm still getting nowhere. The readings don't make sense to me, I have no clue how to use them or how to write this. I genuinely feel like I won't be able to write anything to submit and I'm so stressed because I feel like I physically cant do it. I spent 5 hours in the library yesterday trying to do readings and it was just not going in, I dont understand any of it. I don't know what to do. I have work for the next two days as well, so I cant even spend the whole two days studying. I feel like I'm going to fail miserably

Hiya!

Thank you for sharing what you’re going through, and I’m really sorry to hear how tough things have been for you lately, I can definitely relate to an assignment feeling impossible.

When you get your results and feedback, it might be worth setting up a meeting with your lecturer to go through everything in detail, such as what went well and where things could be improved. Since they felt your plan was solid, it’s clear you do have strong ideas and it’s just a matter of getting them down on paper. A conversation like that could be really helpful and might even give you a confidence boost.

Do you have any friends on your course you could ask for help or talk things through with? Even just chatting about the readings or the structure can sometimes make things click easier. You could also try reaching out to your personal tutor, at the end of the day they’re there to support you with exactly this kind of situation.

Does your university library offer academic support sessions, things like essay writing help, study skills, or motivation workshops? When I was a student at DMU, I went to a few of those sessions and found them incredibly useful.

And remember, there will be other assignments. If you’re unhappy with the outcome of this one, try not to dwell on it for too long. Focus on what you can learn from the experience and put your energy into your next piece of work. It’s better to move forward than stay stuck on something that can’t be changed.

-Maddie, Health and Wellbeing in Society Graduate from De Montfort University

No matter what I try, I just can't do my essay and have no clue what to do

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