You’re sitting at your desk, totally ready to rock your admissions essay. You have your favorite classical playlist on standby and maybe even the “perfect” topic already figured out. And yet…nothing. You find yourself staring at an empty screen, your mouse’s cursor angrily blinking at you. Welcome to writer’s block, a fun form of anxiety normal to anyone who’s ever tried to write anything.

I’ve already discussed proven writer’s block techniques like the mantra “Write Now. Revise Later.” and why shifting your mindset to be ok with word vomiting the first (and maybe even second and third) draft is a game-changer. I’ve also written ad nauseam about the benefits of journaling and why it’s so good for channeling your inner creativity fairy. But even the best writers get stuck, so here are a few more tips to overcome your admissions essay writing anxiety.

1) Accept That First Drafts Are Shitty

There’s a reason first drafts are called rough drafts - they’re not meant to be perfect. It may take you 5 more tries to get it to a place that you love, and that’s normal. So stop putting pressure on yourself to perfect the first draft and just get something — anything, really — on paper so you can make progress in the future.

2) Break The Essay Down Into Smaller Goals

Thinking of writing the 650-word admissions essay in its entirety is pretty overwhelming. Instead, create smaller, less-stressful goals. Start with brainstorming topic ideas, then journal some outline ideas, then try writing the first paragraph. If you’re still stuck, start with just a sentence. The important thing is to just start - the magic is in the revision process. No one — not even your favorite published author — weaves gold on the first try.

3) Give Yourself Multiple Deadlines

It may feel as if applications are eons away, but revisions take time. You want to approach every revision with fresh eyes and a new perspective, and the best way of doing that is by taking time away from each draft. I advise my students to at least take a one-week break if possible between revising. Give yourself a deadline for each of the small goals we outlined above, so June is for the first draft, July is for the second, etc.

4) Set Aside Writing Time

Block off time in your calendar for one hour of writing every week. Treat this like an actual appointment you have to show up for and cannot cancel. Make sure it’s separate from all your other commitments like homework or extracurricular activities. Whip out your iPhone Timer and actually time yourself so you have to get something written within that hour. It could be a journaling exercise on one of the essay questions or a brainstorming session for your topic or an actual rough first draft. If you train your brain that Friday afternoons are for writing, and you show up, you will find it easier to write with every session.