More on college research

So, earlier this week I shared an article from Leigh Goessl on using Wikipedia as a source for college research papers. I thought it would be good to look into some more valuable research advice. Another article by Leigh on research papers offers some tips I think we can all benefit from. Read on...

A week or two into the semester you're sitting in your chair waiting for the day's lecture when your professor suddenly starts handing out information for a research paper you'll have to do this term. You think to yourself "what, so early in the semester"? As the professor begins to verbally give a broad outline of what's expected for this project, you slowly begin to sink in your chair . . . http://www.helium.com/items/688219-a-stress-free-guide-to-writing-college-research-papers

The tips here are especially helpful if you are attending a traditional college. If you are pursuing your degree through distance learning, some of the things may not apply. My couses are set up in 5 week blocks. I am required to complete 2 papers within this time frame, so I don't have the luxury of taking my time or having verbal input and heads-up from my instructors. My brother's courses are set up in 9 week blocks, so he has a little more time and flexibility, but still not the amount available for those taking their courses in the traditional setting with 18 to 20 weeks.
If you're taking your courses online, or through other distance learning methods, Leigh's tips are still relevant, but your focus has to be on time management, and breaking your assignment down into bit sized pieces. Another thing that I cannot stress enough is the value in your syllabus. Look ahead, keep yourself ahead of the game. If you wait until the week a big project is due to start on it, your going to fall behind and risk getting a bad grade on an otherwise perfect paper because you'll turn it in late or incomplete.