Help!!! I have trouble expressing my ideas in writing and even worse vocally!!!!!! and I'm in college : ( ?

Question

and Lets not even talk about in class essays my mind usually goes blank and im left frustrated. When I look over and see a classmate writing on her fifth sheet of paper, front and back, whiole I'm struggling to write my first sentence, I conclude that I am either retarded or have a learning disability. Maybe both .In social situiations its the same. I'm not so good at talking but I really want to improve in writing. Plzz some me some advice.....seriously It makes me go nuts and I dont feel confident because of it

Answer 1

Oh, tons of people have trouble expressing their ideas on paper.  So don't be quick to label yourself as retarded or "broken."  Did you ever stop to think that maybe it's not you?  Maybe the incompetent English teachers that were supposed to be teaching you writing skills through school are actually to blame?

I suggest practice.  I know it sucks but seriously, it's the only way to get better.  You should just practice.  Sit down and write a paragraph explaining your day.  Act like you're turning it in for a grade, too, so that you pay close attention to sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, etc.  Write about memories you have, people you've met, etc.  I know it sounds like a diary and it kind of is but look at it as a practice journal.  Believe me, it works/helps!

Try to pin-point your problem point.  Some people have trouble writing b/c they can't organize their ideas.  Some people just have no ideas to work with.  Those are two different issues and both will require different strategies for improvement.  If you haev too many ideas, write an outline, think about the prompt and decide how you want to respond (do you agree?  Do you disagree?  What is it asking you to do?).  If you have no ideas, you're not thinking hard enough.

Also, do some research in your school and find out if you have a writing center (most colleges do).  You can go there for writing tips and editing help on papers.  If you feel you're really trying and you might start to really believe you have a learning disability, then get yourself tested.  Colleges will offer that service as well.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Stage fright.  Relax.  Write for yourself and don't worry about comparing yourself with others - as you so aptly are doing now.  You'll be all right.  You are a good writer, I can tell.

With practice, you'll be able to discipline your mind to calm down and focus on the task.

If you were an athlete at the starting line then you would need to train yourself to go when the time comes to perform.  Look at the task as "just doing what I am good at so I can get even better"  because as a student, that is true.