How to handle an essay crisis: Ten top tips

It’s 9pm. You’ve had a fantastic evening chatting with friends – or maybe you were off at a society or sports training session, or even just catching up on some Netflix. That’s not the important bit here. You realise, as you return to your room, that you’ve got an impending deadline. The real crux of the issue? You’ve not cracked open even one of the books on the reading list, and the essay is due first thing tomorrow morning.

As much as we’d all like to pretend that we’re always organised and on top of our lives, the reality of life means that sometimes (perhaps due to other commitments, or just a healthy dose of procrastination) essays are left a little too close to the deadline for comfort. If you’re finding yourself in this situation for the first time, then allow me to welcome you to the world of the ‘essay crisis’! I have here for you my ten top tips for handling an essay crisis, which should be able to help you navigate the situation a little more smoothly (having tried and tested such steps more times than I would care to admit…).

If possible, avoid getting into an essay crisis in the first place
Okay, so I know that, most likely, readers of this advice are already in an essay crisis, making this one perhaps slightly obsolete. But for the sake of any zealous readers acting pre-emptively, or for the sake of avoiding a repeat – it tends to be much more enjoyable not doing essays at the last minute. Sometimes, if you’ve been having a very busy week or just really needed a long chat with a friend, it’s unavoidable, but also take note if you are just procrastinating, and avoid ending up in the realm of the essay crisis if you can.
Try not to panic
Moralising over, and into coping with the situation at hand. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is not panic. If you’re the kind of person who is easily stressed under pressure, then try to remember that panicking will not get the essay written or the books read any quicker – it will, in all likelihood, slow you down when time is limited and you probably really just want to go to bed. Keeping a level head will improve your clarity of thought and get the experience over that bit faster.
Break it down into smaller tasks
It can seem really daunting at first, when faced with a long reading list and a blank word document, knowing in a few hours, you need a 2,000+ word essay with a coherent, well-explained argument. Break up the essay-writing process into a mini to-do list – for example, with each reading, planning the paragraphs, and then writing each major paragraph, as points on the list – to make the process a bit more manageable.
Be discerning with what you need to read
Reading lists can be hugely variable in lengths. Personally, I’ve had anything from 4 to 15 pieces of reading, and know they can be even longer – and that’s without adding some of your own reading, if you really enjoy the topic. However, you should remember (and this applies beyond the realm of the essay crisis) that often you are not expected to have read everything on the list. There may be a few asterisked texts, which you should definitely read, but also try to assess for yourself what seems important and what is more niche. Lecture slides can be a good guide for this. It can also be worth asking friends or tutorial partners who have been more organised this time around if they can recommend any (or, even better, if they have notes they’d be willing to share).
Remove all distractions
As painful as it may be at the time, Netflix, Facebook, and Buzzfeed quizzes will all still be available to you in a few hours. What won’t be there? The chance to work on your essay! Do whatever you need to do to really focus, whether that’s turning off your phone (I like the app Forest) or shutting yourself in the library. You’ll worker faster and better this way.
Fortify yourself
Chances are, you’re in for the long haul, so try to make it as pleasant as you can for yourself. Personally, I have a lovely comfy hoodie (a gift from a friend, chosen with essay crises in mind), and would recommend keeping snacks on hand (I like Bunny Bites, Tesco’s version of Pom Bears). If you like to work with music, then select yourself some good tunes too.
Set targets as you go
Something that keeps me motivated along the way is mini targets and self-imposed deadlines – for example, I’ll try to reach 1,000 words by 10pm. It tends to work even better if a friend sets the deadline, as then you’re held accountable (although potentially this should be avoided if said friend would also distract you).
Have fun, if you can!
‘Have fun?! I’m in a crisis here!’ – okay, but you made it through interviews and admissions tests and exams to earn your place here. You’re here because you really care about studying the subject, and because the tutors thought you were capable. Circumstances might not be ideal, but hopefully the subject matter is at least a little bit interesting, and if you can summon up some enthusiasm, the whole process will be much more fun.
Don’t compromise your health for an essay
The workload can be intense at Oxford, and if it all gets too much, then don’t be afraid to submit what you can manage or ask for an extension for the sake of your health. This is a balancing act; maybe you’d manage an all-nighter, or maybe you don’t think you can take the pressure at the moment. The most important thing is to communicate with the tutors (or maybe even welfare in college, if you need it).
Try to learn from the experience
To tie things off, I hope you come away from the essay crisis experience with more than a patchy knowledge of the tutorial topic and the opening hours of the college library. Hopefully, you’ll have learnt to get started a tad sooner next time – or at least, how to deal with it more smoothly the next time crisis hits!

Jessica Searle is a second-year PPEist, who has continued on with Politics and Economics. When she's not writing blog posts and trying to help improve access, she can usually be found promoting gender equality (as both Secretary for UNWomen Oxford and JCR Gender Equality Rep), or with a book in hand.