Assignments: Getting Them Done and Letting Them Go!

Schedule like Sheldon

For The Big Bang Theory fans, you’ll be familiar with Sheldon’s planning skills, from bathroom timetables to food schedules. I’m not suggesting such rigidity with your study time, but a bit of planning can certainly help, especially when facing multiple deadlines.

Firstly, it might seem basic, but have all the submission dates clearly noted and cemented in your mind. This allows for realistic planning and effective time management. Remember to allow time for research before writing.

Next, I found focusing on one assignment at a time worked best for me. This allowed for a deep, immersive dive where insights and ideas would come to me at times when my mind was still. Research also suggests multi-tasking between assignments is not generally effective.

Finally, consistency is key. Short, focused sessions get the job done. Having your phone out of reach also helps to prevent avoidant doom scrolling! Check out the “Pomodoro technique” which promotes short 25-minute productive bursts. And if you are really struggling, ask for help and support from your personal tutor, wellbeing team, or a trusted person at your institution.

Avoid research rabbit holes

Just like Alice’s wanderings through Wonderland, researching for an assignment can be an adventure. However, it’s important to stay on the right path. We can sometimes be tempted down “research rabbit holes” to explore interesting, but not relevant, literature. Such an indulgent foray into research can be an avoidance strategy, taking you away from your current assignment. Be aware of this!

It's great to explore abstract ideas and concepts, but keep in mind your time and the looming deadline. I have a file where I save links to any non-relevant research as these might be topics of interest for future projects. To get back on track, remind yourself of the title of your assignment, the purpose of writing the paper, and revisit any assessment guidance documents you’ve been given.

It's not your precious

Like Gollum’s precious golden ring, we can become enchanted by our writing, carefully crafting and editing the perfect paper. Another avoidant habit I’ve noticed myself doing is spending excessive time editing, polishing, and overly perfecting one section. Often this was a result of feeling a bit lost with the rest of the assignment.

To find direction, create a plan for your different essay sections and follow it. Identify what you want to say, anything additional you need to know, and get writing! Writing (not procrastinating) gets the job done and gives you something to scaffold. Any gaps will become clearer and purposefully guide you to completion.

Let it go!

Yes, THAT song from Frozen! For my final tip, I channel Elsa. Deciding when to stop researching, stop writing and editing, and just let the assignment go is so important! Of course, deadlines help with this process, but you can often feel like there’s more to say and more research to explore.

Remind yourself of the marking criteria and your aims. For example, have your chosen points created an argument that shows critical analysis and interpretation? Masters learning is about synthesising knowledge, bringing together support for differing opinions (if they exist) and offering your own interpretive voice in response to this literature. Remember who your audience is (your lecturers) and write for this audience by following their guidance and delivering what they have asked for.

Once you’re happy you’ve met the brief, it’s time to start letting go. Ideally, allowing enough time to have a day or more away from the assignment, before reading it over and making final edits. Finally, check your references are in the correct format and that the document meets institutional guidelines (think page numbers, running heads, cover sheet, font size and indents). Then, it’s time to submit!

At the end of each piece of work, remind yourself that you deserve to move on and find time for a well-deserved celebration. You’ve officially taken one big step towards completing your degree!