I am currently in the process of polishing up my common application essay and I have been hit with the worst writer’s block. I am going ED to UPenn so I must finish my essay by Nov. 1. I finished my essay but I have to move around a couple things and I am rewriting the end of my 2 paragraph, out of three. Right now I am introducing a new topic to the middle of the essay but I cannot find a way to incorporate it. When you guys have had writer’s block, what have you done to help? My anxiety levels are through the roof and any tips would mean the world to me. Thank you.
I’m polishing up essays now too, so I know how you feel. Whenever I have writer’s block I do any and everything to get the essay off of my mind. I know time is of the essence, but take a few days to just rest and unwind. Play video games, listen to music, hang out with friends, etc. Once you’re a little less stress and anxious you can go back to the essay with a fresh pair of eyes and catch a lot of the things you’ve missed. In terms of adding a new topic imagine that your essay is a conversation with a friend. What may be some questions they may ask? If you can imagine that natural flow of conversation, it will help you to incorporate things. If you can’t find a way to add the topic effectively, ask yourself if it is needed and why. Understanding what it adds to the essay can help find a place for it.
TLDR:Have some fun, come back to it, and make your essay conversational.
Definitely, try to relax. Take a walk, shower, chill out. If you’re really spinning your wheels, you could journal out your anxieties just to get them out of your head.
Why are you introducing a new topic in the 2nd paragraph of a 3 paragraph essay? If you’re struggling to connect the two ideas, maybe they don’t totally work together. Is there a different angle you can try? Or, can you dig deeper into one of the two topics in the essay?
My S just finished his essay after MANY false starts. The breakthrough came when he jotted down the flow of ideas and then talked it through aloud. Having to make the connections between ideas helped him realize where he had gotten stuck and why. You’re probably closer than you think. Don’t give up!!
@PosAttitude @RADLI20 @QMusic Thanks so much for the advice; I am just gonna take a break for a day and get back to it using your guy’s advice 
My son’s English teacher always had them create an outline before writing essays along with a circle of adjectives describing what “message” they want to convey in the essay. This might help?