Writing University Essays

2 Nov 2023

I'm Cian and I'm a PhD student in the School of History here in UCC. I've certainly been in college long enough to have picked up a few key points that I like to pass on when I can. I understand what it's like to feel overwhelmed by university life at times but I promise you with the right guidance and a bit of effort you are sure to succeed. In this little piece, I would like to give you the advice and techniques that I have picked up over five years and three degrees in university in order to hopefully give you a headstart in your academic career.

Firstly, I always recommend that students who are new to university essays approach them with a plan. By putting some structure in place you ensure that your thoughts are being presented in a clear, structured way. I personally like to set out my introduction, the key ideas and sources for each paragraph, the conclusion, and then work out the word count I need for each paragraph before I have to worry about actually writing an assignment. This facilitates clarity of thought and also gives you a framework around which to construct your argument.  

Speaking of your argument, you should clearly state your argument (or thesis in academic speak) in your introduction. This gives the reader an understanding of what your essay is trying to say. The angle that you’re taking is your way of putting your mark upon the essay question and is what sets you apart from your peers who may be answering the same question.  

The third bit of advice I like to give is to do your references as you go along rather than finishing your essay and trying to fill in where the references should go. I find that while this slows down your writing somewhat and so doesn’t work for everyone, it ends up being faster in the end as your assignment is in a more finished state upon concluding your writing. It also makes it less likely for you to make a mistake and leave out a source, thus ensuring that you aren’t wrongly accused of plagiarism.  

The fourth bit of advice for you is to use the Skills Centre here in UCC! I wish I had been more aware of the fantastic breadth of services and supports provided through UCC’s Skills Centre. I am certain it would have given me a head start in succeeding academically and I am equally certain that it will help you too if you choose to avail of these services.  

Finally, I always recommend students to get involved in clubs and societies. These are the best way to make friends, find a support network, and blow off steam after a long day of academic trials and tribulations. There are a wide variety of clubs and socs for all interests and even engaging with just one is a good way of making the most of your time in university.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope that this information proves useful to you during your time here in UCC!