Attending a college or university, ultimately, involves completing writing assignments or projects. These assignments can range from short written responses of 500 words or 1500 to 3000 word essays. At the advanced college level, the writing project may include the master’s theses or a doctoral dissertation. Whether you are a new student filled with excitement, a non-traditional student returning to the academic world, or a working mom having to juggle many responsibilities, scheduling and completing writing assignments may seem overwhelming. In addition, it may appear to you that meeting the requirements of course work and managing a writing assignment is impossible. Regardless of your situation, the good news is that there is a workable solution to successfully complete a writing project. This solution will require careful planning and scheduling, but the rewards will be great. Follow the ten steps listed below and you should be able to succeed in finishing your writing project.

1. The first step in planning your writing assignment is to devote a specific time each day to write. This may be in the morning, afternoon, or night but devote a set time every day, until the project is completed.
2. Have a specific place that you write and store your papers, notes, or research materials so that you will not have to spend time finding your materials.
3. Plan a schedule, which includes your due date, and make a daily schedule by dividing the writing project into small sections that you can complete daily. Post your schedule on one of the walls or on a bulletin board in your specific writing area. Check off each stage as you proceed towards finalizing your project.
4. Read and follow the instructions of the assignment very carefully. Many poor grades occur because a student has not fulfilled the assignment requirements. Post the instructions near your writing space and conduct a check list after you have written your first draft to see if you have met the assignment requirements.
5. Contact your instructor if you have any questions or concerns about a writing assignment early in the writing process.
6. Becomes friends with a librarian. Contact your school or local librarian and ask for tips and suggestions.
7. Contact your school to be aware of writing assistance, such as tutors or writing labs and centers. These resources are readily available to assist you for support help or counseling on your writing project.
8. If there is a peer review of your paper in your classroom, take advantage of this process to assist you in improving your writing. If there is not a peer review occurring in your classroom, ask a classmate, friend, or family member to review your paper. It is always a good idea to have a “fresh” review of a paper to determine if it is well organized or displays a sense of logic.
9. Edit and proofread your paper carefully. Moreover, use the Microsoft Word’s grammar and spell check functions. Remember to use the dictionary and thesaurus frequently to improve your writing.
10. Review the documentation style (APA, MLA, or CMS) that your writing assignment requires. Prepare an index card file to record and document your sources and be sure to adhere to the documentation style. This includes being aware of proper paper format for submission and the documentation style for in-text citations and the preparing of a reference or works cited page.

Following the above tips will assist you in maintaining a writing schedule and contribute to your completing the writing assignment and the course. Remember, when you finish each assignment on time, you are advancing to completing the course successfully. Subsequently, completion of the course moves you one step closer to realizing your goal: graduation.