how to write a college essay in one night

How to Write Your College Essay in Just One Night

(a.k.a.: The “Break in case of emergency” essay)

This is for those of you who are experiencing extreme writers block, have procrastinated ‘til the last minute, or are feeling just plain lazy. I love you and I have been you.

Oh, and this is for students who have not experienced significant challenges and do not know what they want to study in college. If you have experienced challenges or you do know, click here.

Here we go!

First, take 15 minutes to do the Objects and Values Exercises.

Next, get a blank sheet of paper, draw a vertical line down the middle, at the top of the right column write the word “My values,” and list your 3-5 most important values, with space in between. (Example: “knowledge” – skip an inch – “nature”– skip an inch – “music.”)

In the left column, beside each value, describe an image that shows how you developed that value. (Example: beside the value of “knowledge” you write “I sometimes stay up ‘til 3am surfing obscure Wikipedia articles” or beside the value of “nature” you write “when I go camping alone with just a tent, my journal and five lbs of trail mix.” You get the idea. Everything in the left column should be visual, like a snapshot or scene from a movie.

Put your little movies in order-–chronological often works-–and describe each image or movie in a brief paragraph. (Important: don’t mention your value.)

Write transitions between the ideas so there is some sense of flow. This part will take the longest. (Hint: if you write them chronologically you can use basic transitions such as “A few years later…” or “When I entered high school…” as placeholders and tweak later.)

At the end, describe some of the values that you’ll carry with you into and beyond college no matter what career you choose.

For examples, check out the Scrapbook Essay or the Five Families Essay.

And if you're not panicked and want to do this essay thing in a more carefully thought-out way, check out the one-hour guide to the college essay .

Another great read:  5 Essential Elements of a Great College Essay

Want help with your personal statement, check out my course below..

Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Tips for Students > Hacks How to Write a 10 and 20 page Paper in One Night

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Hacks How to Write a 10 and 20 page Paper in One Night

Updated: November 27, 2024

Published: April 19, 2020

In this article

It’s the night before a big paper is due. For whatever reason, you find yourself needing to write an entire research paper in a very short amount of time. While procrastination isn’t ideal, extenuating circumstances may have caused your timeline to get pushed back. So, here you are, looking for how to write a 10-page paper or how to write a 20-page paper in one night.

It goes without saying the best way to write a paper is to give yourself enough time to outline, draft, and edit. Yet, it’s still possible to write in less time. Take heed of these best tips and tricks to organize your thoughts and get your thesis on paper as fast as possible.

Photo by  Adolfo Félix  on  Unsplash

How to prepare before you write, 1. create a schedule to maximize your time.

You’ve likely already spent time panicking. Once you calm yourself of the anxiety of having to finish a 10- or 20-page paper in one night, organize your plan of attack. First, you should designate an area free of distractions so that you can focus. Aside from a few breaks and snacks, it’s best to set up a comfortable place to write. Give yourself some time to outline and find/cite research . Once you know how you’re going to approach the subject, then you can start drafting.

2. Determine your Main Topic

If you’ve been given a prompt, then your topic is clear. However, sometimes you have the freedom to choose what your research will be about. In this case, it’s smartest to choose a topic that you are already knowledgeable about. That way, you will save yourself key time that would have otherwise been spent on research. If you don’t feel strongly about any particular topic, then at least try to pick one that has a lot of information available.

3. Perform Research

Start looking up sources to cite that support your thesis, or main argument. As you research, be sure to take notes. One of the best ways to do this is to use a word processor like Google Docs or Microsoft Word to copy and paste URLs. For each source, it would be best to copy/paste one main sentence that covers its point.

Then, you can write brief notes in your own words that summarize what you have read from that source. While you are performing research, you can start to put together an outline, or the flow of how you will present your ideas broken down by topic and argument.

4. Outline 3-5 subtopics

Once you’ve chosen your topic, then try to pull 3-5 subtopics from it. Each sub-topic should be juicy enough to be able to write a lot about it. The subtopics are your supporting paragraphs which fill the body of the research paper. They should basically be mini essays within themselves.

Writing in One Night

Writing a long research paper in one night isn’t ideal, but it is doable. Some of the best ways to get it done is to follow these 5 tips:

1. Plan and Outline

Take those few extra moments to plan and outline your paper. While it may feel like a waste of valuable time, it is going to help you stay on track. When you have an outline and you get to the middle of your paper, you won’t feel lost as to how to continue. An outline will be useful to you like a map is on a journey.

2. Use Specialized Search

Take advantage of search tools that are designed for scholars. For example, a few of these include: Google Scholar and Elsevier .

3. Leverage Tools

There are citation management tools that will help you find sources for your topic. Mendeley is just one of them. You can type parts of your paper into the tool and find quotes of value. Be sure to cite everything you use to avoid plagiarism .

4. Proofread and Edit

Once you complete writing 10 to 20 pages, you may feel like throwing in the towel and going to sleep for a few hours. However, it is crucial to power through and proofread your paper. If you have anyone available who can read your paper over, that would be best because it’s hard to catch mistakes when you’ve been looking at the same thing for so long. But, if no one is available, try to read your paper back to yourself out loud. This way, you may be able to catch typos better.

5. Check Formatting

Every research paper needs to adhere to a particular format guideline. Whether it’s APA, MLA, or another standard formatting practice, be sure to double check that your layout adheres to the guidelines.

Photo by  Christin Hume  on  Unsplash

When to start writing.

If you have yet to find yourself trying to write a paper at the last minute and all the notes above are scaring you out of procrastination, then that’s a good start! Perhaps you were recently assigned a research paper. In this case, the best way to tackle the project is to do the following:

Start Early

Get started right away. Even if it means just performing early research or writing an outline, starting early is going to save you from having to write a paper in one night down the line. When you start early, you benefit greatly because you can: leverage peers for ideas, take the necessary time to edit and rewrite, and you lower your risk of picking a topic with too little information and having to change topics at the last minute.

Writing in Stages

Starting early also affords you the opportunity to write in stages. You can think of writing as a cycle when you write in stages. First, you can create your outline. Then, you can write the introduction, edit it, and rewrite anything you may need to before moving on to the next piece (or the first body paragraph, in this case).

Use a Timeline

Create a timeline for your writing in stages. If you start four weeks in advance, for example, you have time to do all of the following:

• Fully understand the assignment and ask any questions
• Start to read and document sources
• Create notecards and cite books for sources
• Write a summary of what you’ve discovered so far that will be used in some of your paper
• Create 3-5 subtopics and outline points you want to explore
• Look for more sources on your subtopics
• Start writing summaries on each subtopic
• Write some analysis of your findings
• Start to piece together the research paper based on your notes and outline (almost like completing a puzzle)
• Edit and proofread / ask for feedback

The Writing Process

The actual writing process is a little different for everyone, but this is a general overview for how to write a 20-page paper, or one that is shorter.

• Start with a Thesis: Your thesis is one sentence that clearly and concisely explains what you are going to prove with research.
• Include a Menu Sentence: At the end of your introduction, you will briefly outline your subtopics in what is often referred to as a “menu sentence.” This allows the reader to understand what they can expect to learn about as they continue to read your paper.
• Create a Detailed Introduction: Your introduction should be detailed enough so that someone with little to no knowledge about your subject matter can understand what the paper is about.
• Keep References: Be sure to write your references as you go along so that you basically can create your bibliography in the process of writing. Again, this is where a tool like Mendeley may be useful.
• Write First: Write first and edit later. You want to get all your ideas down on the page before you start judging or editing the writing.
• Save Often: Create the draft on a cloud platform that is automatically saved (i.e. Google Docs in case your computer crashes) or email the work to yourself as you go.

The Breakdown of a 10-Page Paper

Sources to Consider Using

When writing your research paper and finding sources, it’s best to use a mix of sources. This may include:

• Internet: The Internet is filled with limitless possibilities. When you use the Internet, it’s best to find credible and trustworthy sources to avoid using fake news as a source. That’s why tools like Google Scholar can be so helpful.
• Textbooks: It’s more likely than not that you’ll be able to use your class textbook as a source for the research you are conducting.
• Books: Additionally, other books outside of those you read within your class will prove useful in any research paper.

Final Steps: Editing and Formatting

Once you’ve written all your ideas on the page, it’s time to edit. It cannot be stressed enough that editing is pivotal before submission. This is especially true if you’ve been writing under immense pressure.

Writing a 10- or 20-page research paper in one night is not easy, so there are bound to be mistakes and typos. The best way to catch these mistakes is to follow these tips:

• Take a break before you edit so you can come back to the page with somewhat fresh eyes and a clearer head
• Read it out loud to edit and catch mistakes because sometimes your brain will override typos or missing words to make sense of what it is reading
• If possible, ask someone else to look it over
• Consider using footnotes or block quotes
• Format according to how your university asks – MLA or APA, etc.

The Bottom Line

Life throws curveballs your way without warning. Whether you are holding yourself accountable for procrastinating or something out of your control came up, you may find yourself needing to write a big research paper in one night. It’s not the best-case scenario, but with the right tools and tricks up your sleeve, you can surely get it done!

At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More

• [email protected]
• Get 21% OFF . Use the code: FIRST21

How to Write an Essay in One Night: Tips and Strategies for Success

It’s the night before your essay is due, and you haven’t even started writing. It’s a situation that most students have found themselves in at one point or another. But fear not, with the right tips and strategies, you can write a high-quality essay in just one night. In this article, we will provide practical advice on how to manage your time, stay focused, and produce an excellent essay under pressure.

Preparing for the Essay

Preparing for an essay can seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re short on time. However, taking the time to prepare will make the actual writing process much smoother. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively:

Choose a topic : If you haven’t been given a topic, choose something that interests you. This will make the research process more enjoyable and engaging. It’s also important to choose a topic that has enough research available to support your argument. If you’re struggling to come up with a topic, try brainstorming or discussing ideas with classmates or your tutor.

Conduct research : Once you have a topic, start researching. Use online databases, academic journals, and books to find sources that support your argument. It’s important to use reliable sources and to take notes on the key points that support your thesis statement. This will make it easier to organize your thoughts later on.

Develop a thesis statement: Your thesis statement is the main argument you will be making in your essay. It should be clear and concise, and it should provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. Spend some time developing a strong thesis statement that is supported by your research.

Create an outline : Your outline should be a detailed plan of the structure of your essay. It should include your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The more detailed your outline is, the easier it will be to write your essay . Make sure that each section of your outline supports your thesis statement and is organized logically.

By taking the time to prepare before you start writing, you’ll be able to write a more cohesive and effective essay. Additionally, preparing will help you avoid writer’s block and make the actual writing process smoother. So, take the time to choose a topic, conduct research, develop a thesis statement, and create an outline. These steps will set you up for success when it’s time to start writing your essay .

Managing Your Time Effectively

Managing your time effectively is key to writing a successful essay in one night. Here are some tips to help you manage your time:

Break down the essay into manageable tasks: It can be overwhelming to think about writing an entire essay in one night. That’s why it’s important to break down the essay into manageable tasks. You could allocate time to research, writing the introduction, writing the body paragraphs, and writing the conclusion. By breaking the essay into smaller tasks, you’ll be able to manage your time more effectively.

Set a realistic timeline for each task: It’s important to set a realistic timeline for each task. This means allocating enough time to complete each task without rushing. If you rush, you’re more likely to make mistakes and produce a lower-quality essay. Make sure you have a good understanding of how long each task will take and set aside enough time to complete it.

Prioritize tasks: It’s important to prioritize tasks based on their importance. For example, you should start with the most important sections of the essay, such as the introduction and thesis statement. From there, move onto the body paragraphs and supporting evidence. Finally, complete the essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points. This will ensure that you’re focusing on the most important aspects of the essay and producing a well-structured piece of writing.

Avoid distractions: When writing your essay, it’s important to avoid distractions. Turn off your phone and close any social media or other distracting websites. Find a quiet place to work where you can focus without being interrupted. This will help you stay focused and be more productive.

You Might Also Like:

• How to Motivate Yourself to Write an Essay
• How to Write Interesting Essays
• Argumentative Essay Introduction
• How to Write a Good Hook for an Argumentative Essay
• Strong Transition Words for Essays
• How to Write a Reaction Paper About an Article
• How to Ask Questions in an Essay
• How to Create Essay Title
• How to Analyze a Short Story
• How to Write an Executive Summary for an Essay

Writing the Essay

Writing an essay can be challenging, but by breaking it down into manageable tasks and using effective strategies, you can produce a high-quality essay in one night. Here are some tips to help you write your essay:

Start with a strong introduction: Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide a clear roadmap for your essay. Make sure that your thesis statement is clear and concise, and that it accurately reflects the main argument of your essay.

Use clear topic sentences in your body paragraphs: Each body paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point you will be discussing. Make sure that your supporting evidence is relevant and supports your thesis statement. Use transitions to connect your ideas and maintain coherence. This will make your essay easier to follow and more engaging for the reader.

Summarize your main points in the conclusion: In your conclusion, summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement. This will remind the reader of the key points you have made and provide closure for your essay. Make sure that your final statement is strong and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

When writing your essay, it’s also important to consider the tone and style of your writing. Your writing should be clear, concise, and engaging. Use active voice and avoid using jargon or overly complex language. This will make your essay more accessible to a wider audience and help you communicate your ideas effectively.

Additionally, make sure that you’re following any guidelines or requirements provided by your tutor or professor. This may include things like formatting, word count , or specific content requirements. By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure that your essay meets the expectations of your tutor or professor.

Get Help With Your Paper

Editing and proofreading the essay.

Editing and proofreading are critical steps in the essay writing process. It’s essential to review and revise your work to ensure that your ideas are presented clearly and effectively. Here are some tips to help you edit and proofread your essay:

• Take a break: After finishing your essay, take a break before you start editing. This will give you some distance from your work and help you approach it with fresh eyes. When you return to your essay, you’ll be able to see it more objectively and identify areas that need improvement.
• Review for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors: Start by reviewing your essay for basic errors like grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You can use online tools like Grammarly to help you identify errors. Make sure that you’re using proper punctuation and grammar throughout your essay. Look for common mistakes like subject-verb agreement, run-on sentences, and sentence fragments.
• Check for clarity and coherence: Make sure that your essay is clear and easy to understand. Check that your ideas are presented in a logical and organized manner. Use transitions to connect your ideas and make sure that each paragraph is focused on a single topic. If you find that your writing is confusing or difficult to follow, consider revising your work.
• Seek feedback from a peer or tutor: It’s always helpful to get feedback from someone else. Ask a peer or tutor to read your essay and provide feedback. They may be able to identify areas where you can improve your essay or offer suggestions for making your argument stronger. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to improve your essay.
• Edit and revise your essay: Once you’ve identified areas that need improvement, make the necessary changes to your essay. Edit your work for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Revise your writing for clarity and coherence. Ensure that your essay is well-structured and that your ideas flow logically from one paragraph to the next.
• Proofread your essay: After you’ve made changes to your essay, proofread it one last time. Check for any lingering errors, such as misspelled words or incorrect punctuation. Make sure that your essay is error-free and ready to submit.

Prioritizing Your Well-Being: Consider a Professional Writing Service

It’s important to prioritize your well-being, even when faced with a tight deadline. If you’re struggling to write an essay in one night and are feeling overwhelmed, consider getting a good night’s sleep instead. Sleep is essential for your physical and mental health, and it can help you approach your work with a clearer mind and more energy.

If you’re concerned about missing your deadline, consider using a professional writing service . A professional writer can help you produce a high-quality essay that meets your academic requirements and reflects your ideas and arguments. Many writing services offer fast turnaround times and can deliver your essay within your deadline.

Using a professional writing service can also give you peace of mind and reduce your stress levels. You’ll have more time to focus on other tasks or to rest and recharge. Plus, you’ll have a well-written essay that you can submit with confidence.

When considering a writing service, make sure to choose a reputable and trustworthy provider. Look for services that offer a money-back guarantee, high-quality work, and prompt communication with their clients. Read reviews and testimonials from other customers to get a sense of the service’s reputation and reliability.

Remember, your well-being should always come first. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, consider getting a good night’s sleep or seeking help from a professional writing service. This will allow you to approach your work with a clearer mind and greater confidence, and ultimately produce a better essay.

In conclusion, writing an essay in one night is a challenging task, but with the right tips and strategies, it can be done successfully. Prepare by choosing a topic, conducting research, and developing a thesis statement and outline. Manage your time effectively by breaking down the essay into manageable tasks, prioritizing tasks, and avoiding distractions. When writing your essay, start with a strong introduction, use clear topic sentences in your body paragraphs, and finish with a strong conclusion. Finally, edit and proofread your essay, seek feedback if possible, and take care of your well-being. With these tips in mind, you can write an excellent essay even under pressure.

Looking for more help with your Internal Assessment? Check out our  IB IA Writing Service  or  buy Internal Assessment .

Nick Radlinsky

Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.

Nick's article, featured in Routledge's " Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization ," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.

Tips for Writing a High-Scoring IB Essay

The IB rewards essays that are focused, analytical, and well-structured. In this guide, we’ll share practical tips for success, from using evidence effectively to polishing your arguments through thoughtful revisions.

The Benefits of Joining IB Study Groups

You may change the way you tackle the demanding requirements of the IB program by joining an IB study group. These groups provide a collaborative learning environment in addition to sharing notes and study sessions.

How to Handle Stress and Pressure During IB Exams?

Dealing with the stress and pressure of IB exams can be challenging, but it’s manageable with the right strategies. In this article, I’ll give you practical tips on how to stay calm and focused during exam season. From setting up a balanced study routine to developing a positive mindset and using effective stress reduction techniques, these methods will help you approach IB exams with confidence.

The Role of TOK in Interdisciplinary Understanding

TOK encourages students to look into how different types of information connect and combine, which leads to a more all-around way of learning. TOK acts as a link between subjects that might otherwise seem unconnected, such as relating mathematical ideas to natural patterns or examining the moral ramifications of science developments.

How to Conduct Effective Peer Reviews in IB Projects?

Peer review in IB projects is a vital skill that can greatly improve the quality of your projects and your academic growth. From what I’ve seen, peer reviews are a great way to get helpful feedback, see things from different angles, and make your work better.

Utilizing Digital Tools for IB Study and Research

Now that we live in a digital world, using technology to its fullest can greatly improve your IB study and research. Staying prepared, controlling time, and conducting research have never been simpler thanks to the abundance of apps and platforms available. The important thing is to know which tools will help you reach your school goals.

© 2024  I Bstudenthelp.com. This website is owned and operated by Udeepi OU Harju maakond, Tallinn, Lasnamäe linnaosa, Sepapaja tn 6, 15551. Disclaimer : Services we provide are only to assist the buyer like a guideline to complete any kind of writing assignment. Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions Cookie Policy Revision Policy Refund Policy

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write a Last Minute Essay

←What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting to Write About in My College Essay?

8 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block→

Ooops! You waited until the very last minute to begin the college application process, and it’s probably stressing you out. But never fear – CollegeVine is here to make sure that your procrastination impacts your essay as minimally as possible.

We’ve included a guide for the 30-day essay, the 15-day essay, and the 3-day essay. If you have multiple essays to write in a short time, you can follow the appropriate guide for multiple prompts simultaneously, or offset it by a few days.

The 30-Day Essay

At this point, you want to focus on ideas. You have the freedom to spend a few days figuring out which direction your essay is going to take, so take your time to think about what you want to convey in your essay. Find four to five topics to begin with—you can ask your parents, friends, and teachers about what they find interesting about you in order to speed this process up. Try to choose anecdotes from your life that, in retrospect, you learned from, and these stories will inform your topic. Even the shortest, most insignificant moment can make a great essay if it shaped you in some way. If you are writing a “why this school” essay, make a list of reasons why you are applying. Do appropriate research to find strong reasons that show your genuine interest in the school. 

Now that you have a few potential topics, think about how each one would respond to the prompt. Spend 15 minutes outlining each one, using your prompt to guide the outline. In essays that ask you to tell a story, a good topic should write itself and finding a strong essay idea will nearly always be more productive than forcing a story to respond to the prompt. For “why this school” essays, focus on the structure and connection between your reasons. Giving this step the necessary hours now will pay off later. Narrow your list of potential topics to your top one to three choices.

Now it’s time to put pen to paper. If you’re having a hard time, try writing in different environments—coffee shops, your room, or a library, for example—and alternate between topics, and remember that at least at this stage, more words is better than fewer; there will be a step to polish your writing later. 

By day 14, you should have written one rough essay for every “top choice” topic you decided on during day 5. This means that you should now have anywhere between one to three potential essays for a single prompt.

If you do have more than one essay written, it is now time to choose a single essay. Out of the two or three essays you have written in the past couple days, there is probably one that speaks to you more than the rest. If you’re having a hard time, think about which of the topics you’d like to spend another two weeks with, and try to figure out which one says the most about you. Essays with twice the number of words allowed or more should be ruled out; the anecdote is probably too long, or the topic requires too much detail to be effective.

Break days! Distance is important when writing. Take a break from your essays so that you can continue to edit with a fresh mind. These are great days to give your essay to other people to edit—school faculty members who know you well, a coach/music teacher, your parents, and one or two friends. If you are over the word limit, ask specifically for these editors to help you cut down the essay.

Reading your essay with a fresh mind should help you catch big, structural edits. Your first round of edits should involve content edits; you’re looking for what the essay really says about you as a person, and whether that was what you were trying to get across. How does the sentence flow? Does the essay move itself?

Break day! Get some more distance from your writing.

At this point, you might have received some edits back from the people you handed your essay to. Go through each of the edits and decide which suggestions you plan to take, and which seem to alter your personal voice or which don’t match the essay stylistically. Try to stay objective as you review these edits—some of them will be detrimental. If you can’t see why the change was made, it’s probably best to ignore it. If multiple people give you the same feedback, however, you may want to give it some thought.

Implement the edits that you liked. Then read through the essay again and make sure that there are no structural edits or content edits that still need to happen.

These days are the middle stage of your editing process. You’re looking for words that don’t fit the style of the essay, or which could be improved, as well as sentence flow problems. Are all your sentences the same length? Is one paragraph not as well written as the rest of the essay? This should also be the time that you cut words. If you are still more than 70 words over, try to cut full sentences. Otherwise, start by cutting unnecessary phrases and words.

Start doing smaller grammatical edits. A great way to catch edits is to record yourself reading your essay aloud and then listening to the recording. As you go through this process, highlight, mark, and comment on your essay. Afterwards, go through and use your notes to fix word flow, word choice, and grammatical mistakes.

Break day! It’s close to the deadline, we know. Take a break anyway – you need and deserve it.

Last minute edits! Spend some quality time with your essay by just reading it every few hours. Try to catch any small mistakes or random sentence flow problems. (If you suddenly realize that you hate your essay, reference the 3-Day Essay below. Be sure that you aren’t being hyper-critical, though—you may just hate the essay because you’ve spent so much time on it).

Congratulations! Your essay is done! It’s time for you to catch a break. 

The 15-Day Essay

Spend a few hours working on a list of ideas that could become potential essays. Choose one and make an outline.

Write your essay!

Ask a few people who you think would give constructive comments to read your essay— teachers, parents, and  friends. Spend some time doing content and structure edits. Figure out what you want the essay to convey about your personality, and determine whether your essay actually gets this across.

Do some structural editing. Pay attention to sentence flow, the length of paragraphs, overall organization. If your essay is too long, try to cut down on unnecessary information. Pay close attention to the way that you have structured paragraphs and make sure each one makes sense.

Take a break!

Synthesize the comments you received on your essay. Decide which suggestions you want to use and which ones you don’t. If you can’t figure out why a particular suggestion was made, ask the person who gave it. After you’ve gone through all the feedback, edit your essay accordingly.

Cut your essay down to the word limit – ask yourself which anecdotes, details, and adjectives are truly necessary. If you’re having trouble, reference the editors that you spoke to previously.

Work on grammatical and other small edits. Look for minor things that need to be corrected, such as punctuation and word choice. This process requires a few dedicated hours. Aim to really spend some time polishing your language. Reading your essay aloud can be a productive way to accomplish this.

Take a break from your essay!

Spend the whole day with your essay. Every few hours, do a reread and see if you can catch any small last minute edits. Don’t try to change anything major—you don’t have time!

Submit the essay and take a good nap. You’ve finished! 

The 3-Day Essay

Don’t panic. This is doable, but it’ll be a busy few days. Spend the morning coming up with ideas for your essay. Choose one, and use the afternoon to write it. Email this draft to teachers, and show it to your parents. Then, take a few hours off, and later at night, read it through to edit for content. Does the essay say what you intended it to?

Check your email throughout the day. When you get edits back, start incorporating those into the essay. Be picky about which ones you choose to include because you don’t want to take your own voice out of the essay. Spend the day doing structural edits. Every hour, take a thirty minute break from editing. By the end of the day, you should have an essay that fits within the word limit and also has a strong flow. The organization should be good, and you should be able to see how the essay builds upon itself.

DO NOT OPEN EDITS. If any of your readers have replied to your email, don’t open them at all. At this point, the extra edits will just freak you out, and you don’t have time to do major fixes. The name of the game today is small edits; look for grammar, word changes, and minor sentence structure changes. When you’re finally done, take a breath; you can finally relax. 

The 1-Day Essay 

Of course, writing a college essay the day before it’s due is far from ideal, but we know there are probably some of you out there who will find yourself in this situation. Don’t worry, it is not hopeless. Instead of trying to fit a step-by-step plan into a tight timespan, we’ve compiled some general tips to help you churn out that essay in one day. 

Choose your prompts strategically.

If you already know what you’re going to write about, great! Move on to the next tip. If not, see if you might have already written an essay to any of the available prompts. Especially if the prompts are open-ended, you may have already addressed a potential topic in previous school papers. Look through your files to see if you have any essays that you might be able to recycle. The key here is recycle : it goes without saying that you shouldn’t use a previously-written essay word for word for your college submission. You should still take time to tailor it to the prompt and make sure that it conveys your message clearly, whether it’s illustrating your strengths or expressing why you wish to attend that particular college. 

Make an outline. 

Yes, you may feel that you don’t have time for extensive planning, and that you should just jump in and get everything on paper. Try to rein in this urge and take one hour to make a brief outline, spelling out your “thesis” and all the points you want to address. This will help keep your thoughts in order as you write, especially in such a time-constricted context. 

Get that distance, re-read, and edit. 

It’s always tempting to just click submit once you’re done with a project you worked long and hard on, to feel that relief when you know it’s done. However, especially given the rushed nature of a last-minute essay like this, the revision and editing process is crucial, even if it’ll be minimal. Blatant errors will reflect poorly in your application! 

So when you’re done writing, set it aside for a few hours. Then, reread it, and make any necessary corrections—grammar mistakes, typos, sentence flow. When you’re sure it sounds they way you want it to, then you can submit. 

Wrapping it Up

Procrastinating on your college essays isn’t the best way to go, but it can be saved. If you haven’t started applying yet, start your college essays as early as possible! Longer breaks between editing sessions will allow you to get the distance necessary to be objective, and to produce the best quality essay you can.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

11 Tips to Writing Your College Admissions Essay in One Day

You’ve Only Got One Day To Write Your Essay?

You waited until the last minute, didn’t you? No judgment here, just help from people who’ve done the exact same thing as you. Don’t give up! It’s better to pull the mother of all all-nighters than to skip your college application essay.

1.  How Can I Write My Personal Statement In One Night?

Admitting you have a problem is first step, right? Fortunately other people have been there before you. Stand up and say, “My name is ________, and I’m a procrastinator.” (magoosh.com)

2.  Last-Minute Tricks From Teen Vogue

These goes know their market, don’t you think? Maybe you’re trying to do too much. After all, how much time have you got? (teenvogue.com)

3.  You’re Still Going To Need A Great Idea

Brainstorming is worth the time it takes because a great idea gets you halfway there. At least that’s what you should tell yourself to get started! (allcollegeessays.com)

4.  Maybe You Need a System

The Spartan System has saved students’ bacon for years. Why not apply it to your college admissions essay? (huffingtonpost.com)

5.  Even All-Nighters Need the 3 P’s

If you’ve determined to do the job well, you still need all the elements that make you application essay work well. That includes, Patience, Persistence, and Pop-Tarts—OK, maybe not that last one. (huffingtonpost.com)

6.  Last Minute Tips For Great College Essays

If Time magazine writes an article like this one, at least you know you’re not alone. (time.com)

7.  Just Hours To Go: 5 Tips

You need a calm voice like this one: “Don’t freak out. You can still do it. (wnyc.org)

8.  What To Say When You Have Nothing To Say

It’s not really true: you do have something to say. Plus, you have to say something if you’re going to get this thing written. (greatcollegeadvice.com)

9.  Six Steps You Can Do In One Night

The fewer the steps, the better you chances of crossing the finish line. This isn’t a last-minute post, but it’s great advice, and more important: it’s do-able. (huffingtonpost.com)

10.  Tip #5: Take Risks

Is there a better time to take risks when you’re down to the wire? Perhaps the college professor who wrote this piece didn’t have this in mind when he wrote tip #5, but it certainly applies now. (quintcareers.com)

11.  Write Your College Essay In One Night

Honestly the most creative and fun advice you’ll see if you find yourself in this dreadful situation. (collegeessayguy.com)

• Basic Real English
• Absolute Beginners

• Transcription box
• Advanced search
• User's menu

Writing an Essay in One Night: Top 5 Things to Know

College is hard. In some ways, the workload is easier because your studies are more focused. In other ways, the college makes matters much harder because there are so many distractions. You have to contend with the rigors that an entirely new setting attracts.

You must also face the distractions that your new colleagues bring to the table, not to mention any partying that you are probably going to do. All in all, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you have an essay due the next day but you haven't even written the first word, there is no need to fret.

Yes, you clearly dropped the ball. You should have made the essay your first priority. But now that it is too late, you still have no reason to worry. Here are some useful tips that can guide you through this process:

1). Planning

You need to make a plan. Merely sitting down and writing won't help you. The panic of your looming deadline will compel you to make mistakes, to operate inefficiently. This will prevent you from completing your essay on time. So take a moment to create a plan.

Outline your essay and the objectives you need to accomplish. Identify all the stages that you must transition through and determine the amount of time that must be assigned to each stage to make sure that you complete your essay on time.

2). Caffeine

Regardless of what anyone says, it is possible to write an essay, even a difficult one, in a single night. But it won't be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. For that reason, you need to keep some caffeine on hand. Once fatigue sets in and your eyes begin to close during the deepest hours of the night, caffeine will give you that jolt of wakefulness that you need to stay alert long enough to finish your essay. Remember to pace yourself.

The objective here is to write your essay in one night. Because of the tight deadline you have to beat, no one would fault you for working tirelessly and continuously until your essay is complete.

But even in the dead of night, even with your deadline mere hours away, rest is still important. If you work too hard for too long, your mind is going to wear out. So try to take short breaks in between your work. A 15-minute power nap will do more to restore your vigor than a dozen cups of coffee.

So long as you keep the breaks short, you shouldn't have a problem finishing your essay on time.

4). Isolation

You need to find a space that will permit you to work without distraction. To get your essay done in a single night, you have to work consistently and reliably. This can only happen if there are no sources of distraction in your vicinity. This includes people and cell phones and television. Unless you need to do further research, you are better off disconnecting all your computing devices from the internet. This will keep the temptations of social media at bay.

Do not forget to drink. In order to maintain your energy at optimal levels, you are going to require caffeine and intermittent rest. But water is just as important. Of course, if the water is unavailable, you can make do with any other fluids you might have on hand. The point is to remain hydrated at all times. Don't drink too much water too quickly. Just keep a bottle nearby. Take small sips throughout the writing process. This will keep you strong and alert.

When it comes to writing essays in a single night, it is also important to be practical. In other words, if your workload is so extensive that there is no rational way for you to finish your assignments in one night, consider accepting defeat and calling your professor ahead of time to inform them that you encountered unexpected delays.

• How it works
• Essay Generator
• Get started

7 Tips to Write a Paper in a Night: Save Time & Be Focused

Assignment • January 16, 2021

Table of Contents

How to Write a Paper in One Night

Need to finish a paper during the night?

While doing an assignment in the last minute and at night isn’t usually ideal, it’s not impossible. In fact, with the right mindset and dedication, you can write a high-quality paper in one night. Some people are just  more productive  at night.

So, what does it take to achieve this feat?

You can do a couple of things to make you a smart student when it comes to paper writing.

Choose a Comfortable Space and Carry Everything You Need

You will need to look for a comfortable and quiet room to achieve maximum concentration when you write at night.

Decide what materials and devices you will need to write your task and carry only that.

Bring water with you to keep you hydrated. And if you feel hungry at night, carry healthy snacks, too. Having everything you need will save you from taking frequent breaks to reach for something in another room.

Get Rid of Distractions Including Social Media

If you know you spend a lot of time on your phone at night, don’t bring it with you. And if you can’t stay long without it, take 5-minute breaks every 2 hours to check it.

Get rid of any other things that might also distract you when you write at night. That includes TV and gadgets you are not using for assignment purposes.

Use the One Hour Analyze and Understand the Assignment

Don’t dive into the writing process immediately because you are working at night. Take 30 minutes to 1 hour to thoroughly analyze the instructions and requirements.

• What does your professor want you to write?
• How long is the paper expected to be?

Analyze everything and set goals that you intend to achieve by the end of the one night.

If you haven’t been assigned a topic, you must develop one that you’ll write about. Pick a topic that’s manageable, easy to research, and find relevant literature on.

Break Down the Assignment and Set Time Limits

When you have a good idea of what the paper entails, break it down. You want it to be in manageable chunks that you can cover for most of the night.

Once you outline all the tasks you need to do, set timelines for each one. For example, you can set aside 1 hour between 10-11 to research and compile your sources.

Research Well and Organize Your Evidence

Once you know what you want to write about, i.e., your topic, it’s time to research it. Research is crucial as it gives you the information you need to write your paper.

Also, research will help you gather the references you will need to write your bibliography.

Since you are doing your paper at night, consider using online resources instead of books from the library.

In this case, ensure you define keywords to make your searches more specific. Also, going through your notes from previous lecturers can help you find one or more valuable references.

Some referencing tips you may find useful include:

• Find direct quotes quickly and easily by using Google Scholar;
• Gather as many sources as you can find within the time allocated and then sort them out;
• Take advantage of MS Word automatic referencing system to get the style right;
• Compile your citations as you write rather than doing them at the end.

Create a Paper Outline to Make Writing Easy

After the research stage, you have everything you need to write. Create an outline so that your work for the rest of the night remains, expanding your ideas.

A quick outline should be pretty straightforward.

For an essay, write an introduction, the body (list your ideas for each paragraph), and a conclusion.

Take a Breather Before Proofreading Your Paper

Once you write your paper, one final stage remains. And that is proofreading and editing.

Always took some time between writing your paper and proofreading (15-30 minutes). During this night break, do something that enables you to destress and unwind.

The process can take several minutes to one hour, depending on the paper’s length and your speed.

Final Words

Ensure that you conform to all the necessary steps of paper writing: planning, researching, writing, and proofreading.

If you have little time to write your paper, use the above-discussed tips to write your assignment faster. If you’re exhausted and still need to write a paper at night, try taking a 60-90-minute power nap first.

The important thing is making your night productive.

Need help writing your paper?

Find the perfect writer for an essay, research paper, thesis, reviews, coursework, and so much more.

I have been working as a professor for many years. In my experience, students fail to write their papers because they lack knowledge and bravery to ask for help. Here, I am able to help scholars learn, evolve, research, and understand. There is nothing difficult about philosophy, religion, and I am here to prove it.

Keep reading

40+ Interesting Compare & Contrast Essay Topics for 2023

How to Write an Abstract of Einstein Essay

Calculate my order