Hi Susie,

I know exactly what you’re talking about.  I was an English major undergrad and learned to crank out A-papers overnight.  I figured grad school papers would be the same, but I always seemed to paint myself into a corner of too much information and not enough organization.

I have been a freelance writer since grad school, and still find that in my desire to write the “perfect” article, I drown myself in research facts that are too disorganized and just plain too much information. I ended up quitting one writing job doing alternative health for this reason.  The editor of the publication told me she had the same problem and that I should limit my research to five sources, and always write an outline.  These are valuable suggestions.  I hope they help.

When you revise your paper, cut ruthlessly.  Not everything that is interesting, funny, amazing, etc. fulfills the paper’s purpose.

Good Luck,

Mary

Thanks, Mary!

Although, my problem seems to be different. I don’t have several sources; I’m really just working from the assigned reading, and perhaps adding in a relevant source or two that I read previously as necessary for the thesis. However, I am basically trying to process the current reading and formulate a thesis on it at the same time.

Susie

hi mary and susie, thank you both so much for posting.  i’m a post grad (juris dr) student and i have similar issues to each of you!!!!!  like mary i learned to crank out the ‘A’ papers overnight and was trapped there in the corner with you too! 

mary’s experience with multiple sources and susie’s experience with only ‘assigned reading’ - both reflect almost exactly my own ongoing challenges in different environments.  mary’s reflects my work and susie my study.  i’m doing both at the moment and am trying hard to apply the same strategies to my work in both areas.

i posted my suggestions for you on calculating from the required word limit, number of paragraphs needed and number of words in each paragraph etc over in the ‘college’ forum so wont post all again.

as mary suggested “not everything….fulfills the papers purpose”.  i have to keep reminding myself of that….over and over.  i’m hoping one day i’ll GET IT.

good luck Susie!

Kaylene

Hi Susie…
I too had a tough time in Grad school, especially toward the end.  The papers were just arduous.  I assumed it was because I had a full time job and just didn’t have the stamina to complete.
But looking back, I realized I was just done. 
My thesis…I had two three ring binders FULL of research and could not get it on paper.  I really tried, too and spent so much time just procrastinating.
A mad rush and two (hellish) weeks later, and three sick days, it was over, I finished.  I have a M.Ed. in profound/severe disabilities at this point and am exploring a PhD in Clinical Psych.  Am I crazy?  YES!  I hope that someone will talk me out of it. 
good luck!!!

Hi, simplify!

I’m actually just finishing up my Ph.D. in Clinical Psych, and just finished my MAT in Biblical Studies and Theology at the same school (I was doing them both at the same time). I understand crazy! I’m also in the middle of my dissertation… though it’s papers for coursework that I’m talking about. In my case, though, I’m feeling more like I’m on my “second wind” now, so it’s more that I’ve turned into a perfectionist. I know what a really good paper looks like, and now that’s my standard for myself - professional level writing. When I say that I no longer know how to write a ‘B’ paper, I mean that I only know how to write an ‘A’ paper or a ‘C’ or ‘D’ paper!  But my ‘A’ papers just take me forever to write!

Susie

I should clarify that when I say the papers take me forever, I’m talking about the active writing. Not procrastinating. Citing the sources is also included (and I do use a reference editor for that). And they do come out well-organized and of a good length without need for much cutting… but it’s still just a really slow process for me!

Hi Susie,

I may not have a grad degree, but I have a lowly associates. I am an RN, and writing papers for that program was very hard. I had to write an ethic paper, countless papers on disease processes as well as others.

Even today, in college, no one wants to hear about ADD or LD. It was difficult getting motivated to start and follow through but I did it. My grades weren’t the best, but I made it through and have been a nurse now for almost 13 years.  I am a retired soldier as well and what I started doing is talking to myself and motivating myself like a drill sergeant. “YOU WILL FINISH THIS PAPER MISTER!!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND???”  It worked for me. That was my niche. 

Now my next project is fixing a marriage that I fear ADD has damaged.

I wish you the best, and I hope that everything works out for you. 

Seth