7 Life-Changing Tips to Overcome Writing Struggles Every Student Should Know
- Kelly Anthony
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Writing can feel like climbing a mountain with no clear path. For many students, it's not just about grammar and structure—they struggle with confidence, creativity, and knowing where to start. The good news? There are tips to overcome writing struggles that can make the process easier, helping students build confidence and develop a smoother writing workflow. In this post, I will break down seven common writing struggles students face and, more importantly, share simple strategies to turn frustration into progress.
1. Struggle: Understanding Their Own Writing Process
Many students don’t know how they write best. They have never been taught to explore their individual writing preferences, leading to frustration when they feel their approach is “wrong.” They often think good writing happens in one perfect draft, a myth that leads to procrastination and self-doubt.
As Peter Elbow, author of Writing Without Teachers, explains, “The most effective way to improve your writing is to free yourself from the idea that you must write perfectly the first time.”
Simple Fix: Discover Their Writing Style
Help students explore their process with a writing inventory. Ask questions like:
Do they prefer brainstorming visually (e.g., mind maps) or verbally (e.g., discussions)?
Are they most productive in the morning, afternoon, or evening?
Do they write best in silence or with background noise?
Encourage them to experiment with drafting in small, low-pressure steps.
Writing Prompt:
“Think about a moment in your life that surprised you. Freewrite for 10 minutes about what happened, focusing on the details. Do not worry about grammar or structure—just let the words flow.”
2. Struggle: Coming Up with Ideas
The blank page can be paralyzing. Students often believe they need the perfect idea before they start writing. This pressure can block creativity, leaving them feeling stuck.
William Zinsser, author of On Writing Well, notes, “The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it does not induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead.” But before students can craft that first sentence, they need strategies to spark ideas.
Simple Fix: Use Creative Discovery Tools
Introduce brainstorming techniques to make idea generation less daunting:
Mind-mapping: Write a central topic in the middle of a page and branch out with related ideas.
Freewriting: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write continuously without editing.
Socratic Questioning: Ask questions like “Why is this topic important?” or “What would happen if this situation were reversed?”
Writing Prompt:
“Think about an issue you care about deeply. Write down three questions you’d like to explore. Choose one question and jot down everything you know about it.”
3. Struggle: Fear of Criticism
Many students see their writing as a reflection of themselves. When their work is critiqued, it feels personal. This fear can make them reluctant to share their work or even start writing.
Anne Lamott, in Bird by Bird, reminds us, “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor… Perfectionism will ruin your writing, blocking inventiveness and playfulness.”
Simple Fix: Emphasize Progress Over Perfection
Encourage students to see their first drafts as “draft zero”—a space to explore ideas without judgment. Use positive reinforcement to build their confidence and normalize the revision process as an opportunity to refine, not criticize.
Writing Prompt:
“Write a letter to someone you admire, explaining why they inspire you. Focus on expressing your thoughts, not on making it perfect.”
4. Struggle: Over Reliance on Strict Formats
The 5-paragraph essay can be a useful starting point, but students often cling to it rigidly, stifling creativity and limiting the depth of their ideas.
As William Zinsser advises, “Writing is thinking on paper. Anyone who thinks clearly can write clearly, about anything at all.” Strict formats often discourage students from thinking expansively.
Simple Fix: Encourage Flexible Structures
Introduce students to a variety of essay structures, such as narrative essays, persuasive essays with multiple viewpoints, or personal reflections. Use graphic organizers to help them explore their ideas in new ways.
Writing Prompt:
“Think about a time when you overcame a challenge. Write a paragraph about what happened, focusing on the emotions you felt and what you learned.”
5. Struggle: Procrastination
The longer students avoid writing, the bigger the task seems, leading to last-minute panic and subpar work.
Peter Elbow addresses this cycle, saying, “Don’t be afraid to write badly, because that is often how good writing starts.”
Simple Fix: Break the Task into Steps
Teach students to divide the writing process into manageable chunks:
Brainstorm ideas.
Create a rough outline.
Write a draft, focusing on one section at a time.
Revise and edit.
Smaller steps make the process less intimidating and help them build momentum.
Writing Prompt:
“Write one sentence about the topic you’re working on. Then expand it into a paragraph by answering the questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why?”
6. Struggle: Lack of Strategies and Tools
Without strategies, writing feels like guesswork. Students may start strong but struggle to organize their ideas or develop their thoughts fully.
Simple Fix: Provide Structured Tools
Introduce practical tools such as:
Graphic Organizers: Help students visually plan their ideas.
Paragraph Worksheets: Break down the structure of an effective paragraph.
Checklists: Guide them through each stage of the writing process.
These resources give students a framework to follow, reducing their frustration.
7. Struggle: Negative Beliefs About Writing
Repeated struggles can lead students to believe they’ll never be good writers, creating a cycle of avoidance and failure.
Anne Lamott captures this perfectly: “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.”
Simple Fix: Reframe Their Mindset
Use a writing inventory to uncover their beliefs about writing. Pair this with confidence-building activities, like journaling about personal achievements or revising a past assignment to see their growth. Celebrate progress, not perfection, at every step.
Writing Prompt:
“Write about something you’re proud of accomplishing. Focus on the steps you took to achieve it.”
Overcome Writing Struggles
Writing does not have to be an uphill battle. By addressing common struggles—like fear of criticism, procrastination, and rigid thinking—students can learn to approach writing with confidence and creativity. The key is using tips to overcome writing struggles that break the process into simple, manageable steps.
With the right support, encouragement, and strategies, students can transform their writing challenges into strengths.
Struggling with Writing? These Tips Will Change the Game!
Writing doesn’t have to be frustrating! With the right strategies, you can break through writer’s block, build confidence, and write with ease. Start applying these 7 life-changing tips today and watch your writing improve.
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