True life: I am now a college writer

Dear My Young Writer Self,

I just thought that I would share a little advice with you about the horrific world of writing that awaits you in college! (Kidding, it really is not that terrible once you get the hang of it). First off, it is dire to understand that college writing is a whole other ball game. What I have picked up on is that college professors really want you to explore a specific topic and down into the very depths and finite details of the topic. They want you to pick it apart until there really is not anything else left. This may seem brutal right now, but once you get a good idea really rolling, it’s hard to stop. That would actually be my first advice to you. Just keep writing. I’ve recently noticed that this is one of my biggest strengths. I have the uncanny ability to just ramble on and on about one particular topic for hours on end. High school did not prepare you for this, but in college, doing a “sloppy copy” or horrible rough draft is utterly necessary for you to get at the topic you want to explore. So, do not be afraid to do that. 


Also, know that unfortunately most of you papers will be written in the wee hours of the night (or early morning on most occasions). Everyone will warn you from this, tell you how miserable and horrific of a process it becomes. While these folks are correct, know that sometimes the juices flow at the random hours of the night. Don’t stop yourself from going on a good rant of typing if you suddenly have a brilliant idea at 3am. The bottom line is to just go with your gut, and let it take you to places you have never been. That is the fun in college writing.

Sincerely,

Your Older- and oh so wiser- Self


P.S. Just in case you were wondering...this is what you will look like after a rough night of writing