How to be emotionally and mentally prepared... ...For that essay! Sofia Hashi | Fulcrum Staff Photo by Sean Campbell ESSAY WRITING: THOSE two words can make the most experienced fourth-year student shudder and run all the way back to their hometown. No matter how hard we pray otherwise, the words "essay" and "final paper" always seem to find their way onto our syllabuses. Regardless of the class for which these dreaded assignments are required, the thought of writing them induces panic and anxiety in even the most veteran of students. But never fear, there are strategies for coping with the stress of slapping together a well-articulated essay. And no, just in case you're wondering, none of them are "drop the class." 1. Read your syllabus Remember the piece of paper your prof gave you way back in September? Pull out that crumpled thing from whatever dark place you've stuffed it, and smooth it out. Now read it. If you didn't go to your first class, that's okay. There's almost always an online version of the syllabus, and chances are you can hunt it down. Carefully read the requirements for the paper. Margins, spacing, page numbers, citations, and more should be committed to your memory. Just kidding -- write it down just in case you "lose" your syllabus again. 2. Go to the library You know that building on campus called Morisset? It is also the library. Shocking, I know. The last time you visited the building might've been during your