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Learn techniques to overcome common difficulties in writing, such as procrastination and perfectionism, and develop self-management skills for academic writing.
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Build Confidence for Academic Writing Wednesday 19 October 2016 LSE LIFE Adam Sandelson LSE Student Counselling Service
Aims • Examine common difficulties in writing • Focus on psychological issues • procrastination • perfectionism • Techniques to build confidence • Self management techniques • Sources of advice
What are the common difficulties involved in writing? Introduction
Common Difficulties • Feeling overwhelmed with material • Adapting to a new style of learning • Developing an independent critical voice • Procrastination • Perfectionism
Transition to different type of study Academic cycle Sustaining momentum Pressures in all areas Home and family Relationships Career and jobs How I feel about me The context for study
Procrastination • Excessive habit of putting off tasks • Disguise avoidance by being busy • Finding interesting things to do that don't contribute towards the main goal • Feelings • Anxiety and stress • Guilt and shame • Depression
Why do we procrastinate? • time management • inability to prioritise • overload of tasks • feeling overwhelmed • anxiety • negative feelings - "I'm stupid" • all-or-nothing thinking • boredom • habit of avoiding difficult thing • fear of failing or fear of success
acknowledge what you have achieved save mental energy realistic meet deadlines and keep up with work have effective study time and relaxation enjoy yourself without guilt and worry Personal timetabling
What kind of internal pressure do I put myself under when preparing a written assignment? Looking behind the time issue
Are you a perfectionist? • Is whatever you do never quite good enough? • Do you often put off handing in work, waiting to get them just right? • Do you feel you must give more than 100% on everything, or else you’ll be mediocre or a failure? • Are you working toward success or trying to be perfect?
Perfectionism • Self-defeating thoughts and behaviours • Linked to high ideals, not realistic goals • Can interfere with success • Damages satisfaction and achievement, compared to more realistic goals
Learn early in life you arevalued for achievements Value yourself is based on approval from others Feel vulnerable to criticism Are you trying to be perfect as a defence? Causes
Set an unreachable goal Fail, as the goal was impossible to achieve Constant pressure and failure Growing self criticism and blame, exhaustion, anxiety and depression. Give up completely on original goal or set another unrealistic goal: "This time if only I try harder I will succeed". Vicious circle
Perfectionists are not more successful, more likely the reverse Procrastination, poor productivity Concentration problems Writer’s block Depression and anxiety Not really pleasing to others High achievers are more willing to make mistakes and risk failure Truth about perfectionism
Realize that Perfectionismis undesirable Perfection is an illusion that is unattainable. What can I do about it?
Set realistic goals - SMART Set goals in sequence Experiment with standards for success Try for 80% or even 60% Assess the process not just the end result Did you enjoy the task? Check your feelings Have I set up an impossible task? What am I afraid of? What is the worst that could happen? Allow mistakes, work with others. Building confidence
What psychological and personal issues are evoked in me through the task of writing? Writing is personal
Trying to please Wanting to be clever Wanting to achieve as highly as others Historic patterns, such as last minute success Dynamics of writing
Look at my internal dynamics Write down historic messages Record a more realistic assessment of your ability and worth as a person Practice positive self talk Fake it to make it Self management - top tips
Writing Strategies - I • Free yourself up • Bullet points, mind maps, scribble ideas • Go for a walk; Talk out loud • Wait for a structure to arrive • Give yourself time to work it out • Learning and writing involve unconscious processes • Work with others, use study groups, etc.
Writing Strategies – II • Relaxation • Regular time to switch off • process learning in the back of your mind • Recall past achievements • Imagine looking back at this task in 2 or 6 months time
Time to think Allow a structure to emerge Budget about an hour for each sheet Aim for clarity, rather than being stylish. Let go of putting an essay together like a jigsaw Remember - is it a book or an essay? The final stage of writing
Look after yourself (diet, sleep, internal self talk) Keep a supportive structure for your day to day life Remember the end point – you will have written the essay that only you could have written at this time in your life. Conclusions
Advice and help Academic Adviser Departmental Staff Disability and Wellbeing Service Student Services Centre TLC study skills advisors Learning World Student Union and Advice Centre LSE LIFE Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisors Don't wait until problems have grown impossibly large It’s OK to ask for help earlier
LSE Student Counselling Service – KSW.507 • Free and confidential • Mainly short term counselling • Book appointments in advance • See Website for • Stress management handouts • Self help resources • Relaxation MP3’s
Groups • Stress Management Group (3 weeks) • Self Esteem Group (3 weeks) • Therapy Group Places on all groups need to be booked in advance. Please see the website, Call Ext 3627, visit KSW.507 or email student.counselling@lse.ac.uk.
