How Much Time Should You Spend Writing a Term Paper?

Preliminary research on a topic shouldn't be started a few days before a term paper is due.

In a Short Period of Time

Professors generally assign papers near the mid-term or end-term, so often a student receives many assignments at the same time, or has other competing time commitments. To avoid confusion, students may allot certain periods of time to each assignment to avoid overlapping. For example, if a student has four assignments due in one month, he may dedicate one solid week to researching, writing, and editing each assignment.

Over a Long Period of Time

Getting started as early as possible on all assignments is key to better marks. This way, a student can allot a generous time for research, ask the professor follow-up or clarification questions, write and edit, while simultaneously attending to other time commitments and other assignments.

Bottom Line

If it's possible, start a term paper as soon as you get it. This way, problems won't arise last minute, and if other assignments do come up, you will already have work completed on the term paper. Ideally, spend half of the time between receiving the assignment and its due date to choose a topic and complete the research, and the other half in writing and editing your paper.

References

• Writers Write: The Lazy Scholar's Guide to Writing a Term Paper
• A Research Guide for Students: How to Write an A+ Research Paper
• Student Hacks: How to Write a Great Term Paper in One Evening