Tips for Writing Under Pressure

Writing under pressure is a skill I didn’t want to learn—but college kinda forced me to.

We’ve all been there. The deadline’s looming, the pressure’s on, and your brain is like “Nope.” But over time, I’ve figured out a few survival tactics:

1. Don’t aim for perfection—just start. When time is tight, your goal is to get something—anything—on the page. You can’t edit a blank document.

2. Use a timer. I set 25-minute sprints (thanks, Pomodoro method) with short breaks in between. It keeps me focused and stops me from spiraling.

3. Write in layers. First draft = ideas. Second pass = structure. Third = polish. It’s faster than trying to make every sentence perfect from the start.

4. Stay off your phone. Sounds obvious, but even “just checking the time” turns into 20 minutes on Instagram. I use site blockers if I’m really desperate.

5. Breathe. Seriously. Stress shuts down creativity. A minute of deep breathing before writing can make a big difference.

Under pressure, you don’t need to be brilliant—you just need to be strategic. And sometimes? Those fast, messy essays turn out better than the ones you overthink for days.