It’s officially paper-writing season, and for many of us that can only mean one thing: writer’s block. Here are a few tips to help keep you on track while writing a paper.

1. Make a writing plan that includes deadlines. Don’t put everything off until the night before it’s due! The stress will only worsen your writer’s block and make it even harder to write the paper. Instead, make deadlines for drafts, and finish the paper a day or so early so you have time to read over and edit it.  Reward yourself for making your deadlines.

2. Write in a quiet place, like outside or in the library, as opposed to your room.  Your room is filled with distractions: roommates, cellphones, TVs, etc.  Doing your work in the library or another quiet place will help you stay on task.

3. Don’t be afraid to take breaks.  People often make the mistake of trying to force their way through a paper without letting themselves rest, but taking a short break can actually help with your writer’s block.  Taking just 15 minutes to nap, snack, dance, or check Facebook can make you feel rejuvenated and ready to take on that next paragraph.

4. Alternate between multiple assignments.  Sometimes, it helps if you flip-flop between two or more assignments.  That way you can think about one for a while and then switch to another, which can keep you from getting bored with what you’re working on.

5. Make sure you’re comfortable.  If you’re constantly thinking about how uncomfortable your chair is, or how your foot has been asleep for the last half hour, you’re distracting yourself from the task at hand.

6. Call your parents. Seriously. Talking to someone who supports you in your quest for an education can really boost morale.  A few words of encouragement from mom or dad can get you back on track in a heartbeat.

When you prepare, writing a paper is a piece of cake. But don’t listen to me-I’ve been writing this article for three weeks!