We’ve already explained some new skills college students should take up before writing that painstaking college composition paper. Some college students still lack proper writing skills even after high school, and what about those who graduated years ago but are now returning to school?

Writing skills are essential for any degree program whether you’re earning a business degree or preparing to be an award-winning journalist. As we approach the end of the semester for most students there is a strong chance many are pounding down on their keyboards at libraries and bedrooms across the nation. Here are some tips to help you finish out strong, or start you off on the right foot.

Write a rough draft early on – If you haven’t done this and your paper is due tomorrow, skip to number 2.  Normally professors tell you very early on when your papers are due, you only have yourself to blame for staying up till 6 a.m. writing it (stop whining about it cause’ we all do it). Write a draft as early as you can, even if you only have a few sources. If you are able to, ask your professor or teacher’s assistant to read your paper and get some feedback. Profs and TA’s can provide some much needed guidance.

Proofread - I simply cannot reiterate this enough. After you’ve finished writing, read your work, even if you catch just a handful of mistakes it can make a difference.

Have someone else proofread also - If you’ve ever dealt with any profession involving writing you’ll know that the piece is read over, and over, and over. Having someone else read your paper provides a different set of eyes to catch grammatical errors and make sure the paper reads well. This leads me to the next tip…

Avoid common errors - Some times the grammar chick doesn’t catch every thing. See what I did there? This goes back to proofreading but common errors also include comma splices, incorrect usage of semi-colons, single vs. double quotation marks and more. Using grammar and spell check should not be your only resource. Try reading your paper aloud to make sure everything is cohesive.

Correctly cite your sources using MLA/ Chicago style manuals. – I will freely admit that citing sources was the biggest pain the neck. However, if you do not do this correctly it could mean the difference between an ‘A’ paper and an ‘F” paper because your teacher believes you plagiarized your work. If you can’t afford the books try using online sources such as BibMe or EasyBib.