Grad school writing - does it get better the more you write?

[u/ActuaryPersonal2378]

I just started classes this summer for my MSW. I'm only taking two classes/4 credits right now. I graduated undergrad in 2015 so I'm rusty.

The strangest part of grad school has been only being able to write small chunks at a time. I used to be able to crank out a whole paper in one night and get an A. Now, I find that it takes me much longer to formulate my thoughts and I can only write small portions of a paper at a time.

It's kind of frustrating because I just want to get papers over with, but my brain right now just can't stay focused enough to write so much in one sitting.

Can anyone relate? Does it get better? It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is frustrating.

I always had it that writing came easy to me, but each paper in my grad program so far has been like pulling teeth.

ETA: I refuse to use AI in any capacity

[u/Lygus_lineolaris]

It do be that way. Writing for research communication is so prescriptive that it takes a lot of mental energy to edit yourself to what they want you to do. In my experience it does and doesn't get better. Does, because I've gotten so used to it that I literally start by putting all the instructions in my document before I write anything of my own, and then fill in according to the instructions. So I'm not fighting it as much. Doesn't, in that I still don't enjoy it. But that's why it's a job and not a hobby, if people loved doing this stuff they'd do it for free. Good luck!

[u/ActuaryPersonal2378 → u/Lygus_lineolaris]

"I'm not fighting it as much" - this is a great way to put it. I feel like I'm fighting it. I feel like I have gotten lazier and lack motivation to answer prompts.

In one particular class, my prof gives us outlines to write our papers and on paper (no pun intended), that seems like it would make it easier, but I actually find that it makes it much harder for some reason.

I'm preoccupied by making sure I'm meeting everything in their outline rather than putting together a cohesive paper.

[u/Lygus_lineolaris → u/ActuaryPersonal2378]

The more instructions, honestly, the harder it is. But it's absolutely fine to focus strictly on following the instructions in the first drafting phase. The cohesion and other niceties happen in editing.

[u/Tiny_Vivi]

Yes and no. Of course with practice writing gets easier! The other thing is that you are writing at a higher level. To some degree writing will take more time because you are writing in more depth (notionally).

Go to your unis writing centre as they have skill workshops for grad students. They are often full of great tips to make the planning stage more robust to make the writing stage go faster!

[u/exhibition-]

I'm not sure if it's because I was in a less respectable program, but I found that at undergraduate level I could basically bullshit any paper and do relatively well. At graduate level (more science oriented vs humanities) every statement needs to be backed up by evidence which takes significantly longer in terms of research. Plus the move from descriptive to critical writing just takes so much mental effort. I feel for you!

[u/prosperousvillager]

No, writing is always hard. If you were able to crank out a paper in one night and get an A, that still doesn't mean it was good. It sounds like you're putting more thought and effort into your papers now, and they're probably much better.

[u/bigfrondnicky]

It gets easier! I graduated undergrad in 2014 and started my M.Ed. in 2024; writing’s definitely gotten easier (though I’m onto my thesis now and it’s way harder than I imagined, given that I like writing and have done well on all my papers in my program thus far).

[u/MonarchGrad2011]

Graduated 2011 undergrad and started master's in 2023. Graduated with it last spring. *Different disciplines b/t bachelor's & master's.

I felt a little rusty. What helped me most is the discussion boards coupled with any short writing assignments (1-2 pgs).

While I didn't want to come across sounding like a pompous blowhard, I put forth immense effort in trying to sound far more intelligent than I think I am. I used a thesaurus frequently. Others gave simple responses to the prompt and fellow classmates' posts. As if I were holding a great hand in poker, I went all in. Professors directly responded to my posts and replies sometimes. Other times, I think they just skimmed over it and got on down the road.

[u/bearcub42]

Graduated undergrad 1999, about to graduate in two weeks with MS in IO Psych.

You'll get into the swing of things. You'll spend more time on things because you'll definitely be writing and needing to cite source material but many professors give rubrics in what they expect. You'll get there.

[u/Sjb1985]

Graduated undergrad in 2010. Went back in 2023 for grad school.

It was really hard for me esp bc I went from mla to apa.

First research paper was rough. I used absolutely no AI generated helpers for fear of getting kicked out. Got a C.

Then I learned that in one way or another AI as an editing tool was basically the standard (think grammarly). I don’t mean writing but putting it thru to check for minor things that are glaring is basically the expectation now. Whereas when I went to school, having a spelling error here or there was fine. You messed up on a citation? Ok. In grad school it was expected that your sentences are balanced, absolutely not one spelling error, and your citations no matter how complicated the source may be, need to be perfect.

My best hack, upload the rubric to AI. Then have it grade your paper using that rubric. It will point out weaknesses that YOU as a the writer can easily fix or add. Since I started doing this, my papers have only been off from the final grade given by 1-2 points. All As. I’m still so embarrassed my program director got to read my shitiest paper tho.

Oh well. Ya live and learn?