Beyond custom essays: five ways students can boost their essay writing
Info: 2845 words (11 pages) Blog
Published: 14 Aug 2025
University life can be overwhelming for many students. Juggling coursework, part-time jobs, and personal commitments often leaves little time for focused writing. Writing assignments in particular cause significant stress, especially when students feel unprepared or unsure of the expectations. Indeed, surveys suggest around 15% of students worldwide have admitted to paying for assignments when they felt desperate for help (Newton, 2018). Others are turning to new tools: for example, more than half of UK undergraduates in a recent survey reported using artificial intelligence tools to assist with essays (Adams, 2024). These trends highlight how commonly students seek support under academic pressure.
Students struggle with a range of challenges on a daily basis. For example:
- Language barriers – Many international students find it hard to express complex ideas in English, especially in an academic style.
- Deadline pile-ups – Coursework and essays often overlap, so multiple deadlines can collide and feel impossible to meet.
- Mental health strains – Anxiety, depression, and stress are increasingly common among students, undermining concentration and motivation.
- Part-time work – To afford living costs and tuition, a large number of students hold jobs, leaving less time and energy for studying.
- Lack of guidance – In crowded lectures or online courses, individual feedback is limited. Students may feel adrift with difficult assignments and no mentor to turn to.
Given these hurdles, it is no surprise that students look for lifelines to keep their studies on track. The good news is that there are many constructive ways to get help and boost one’s writing skills. Ordering a custom-written essay for reference is one option, but students should also pair it with active learning efforts. In fact, the most confident and independent student writers tend to use a combination of resources. By taking advantage of these resources and strategies, students can develop their skills, gain confidence, and tackle academic writing challenges more successfully.
Using custom essay services wisely
Custom essay writing services connect students with expert academic writers who produce tailored model answers. Used as study guides rather than finished papers, these model essays can become valuable tools for learning.
Learning from model essays
For example, a student struggling with how to structure an argument might commission a model essay on their topic. The finished piece – complete with in-depth analysis and proper references – serves as a detailed example to learn from (UK Essays, 2025). By closely examining the model answer, the student can see how an experienced writer approached the question. They might note how the introduction presents a clear thesis statement, how each paragraph provides evidence and analysis, and how the conclusion ties everything together.
Because the model essay directly addresses the student’s specific assignment, it shows what a high-quality response could look like. Such insights can be difficult to glean from generic guides or automatically generated content. A bespoke essay offers the depth and scholarly practice of a real academic piece, giving the student a concrete benchmark for their own work.
Using model essays ethically
It is crucial to use custom essays ethically and in the spirit of learning. Universities strongly discourage any form of “contract cheating,” so students must treat the model essay as a guide and inspiration – not as their own work. The true value of a custom example lies in extracting techniques and insights from it, then applying those to one’s original draft.
For instance, a student may borrow the logical outline or mimic the academic tone, but they still need to write the assignment in their own words and develop their own arguments. When approached with this mindset, a custom essay becomes a springboard for improvement rather than a crutch. Reputable services reinforce this by making clear that their essays are for reference only. Using them wisely means gaining understanding from the expert’s work, not copying it.
In short, custom essays are just one useful resource among many. They can jump-start the writing process and clarify academic standards, but true growth comes from the student’s effort to learn and practice those standards independently.
Attending writing workshops
Breaking down the writing process
Another effective way for students to enhance their writing is to participate in writing workshops. Many universities offer workshops, short courses, or writing clinics where students can develop skills in a structured setting and receive feedback on their work.
In a typical workshop, students might engage in exercises on brainstorming ideas, formulating thesis statements, or improving paragraph structure. They often bring drafts of their assignments to review. Crucially, writing workshops demystify the writing process – they break it down into manageable stages like planning, drafting, and revising. Instead of seeing an essay as an insurmountable task, students learn to tackle it piece by piece.
Building confidence in writing
The collaborative environment of a workshop also helps reduce the isolation that often comes with academic writing. Discussing challenges with peers and instructors makes it clear that struggling with a first draft or writer’s block is a normal part of the process. This camaraderie can alleviate anxiety and build confidence.
Research has found that engaging in writing workshops boosts students’ motivation and even their sense of identity as writers (Cameron et al., 2009). Indeed, students frequently report feeling more capable of handling essays after attending a series of sessions. They pick up practical tips – for example, how to better organise an argument or how to critically analyse sources – and also gain moral support. Over time, workshop participants tend to develop a stronger “writerly” identity and a belief in their own ability (Cameron et al., 2009). This confidence translates into more proactive and resilient writing habits.
Universities may run general academic writing workshops open to all students, as well as specialised sessions (for instance, on scientific report writing or dissertation planning). Some are even available online for distance learners. By taking advantage of these opportunities, students can continuously refine their technique. They come to see writing not as a fixed talent but as a craft that improves through guided practice. In summary, attending writing workshops equips students with both the tools and the self-assurance to approach academic writing tasks more effectively.
Using proofreading and editing tools
Polishing your draft
In the digital age, students have access to a variety of proofreading and editing tools that can significantly polish their writing. These tools – often powered by artificial intelligence – go beyond the basic spell-check in a word processor. They can detect grammatical errors, suggest clearer phrasing, and even comment on the tone or formality of the text.
For a student who has spent hours on an essay, such tools act like a virtual proofreader, catching mistakes that tired eyes might miss. For instance, an editing tool may highlight a long, convoluted sentence and recommend breaking it into two simpler sentences for clarity. It might catch an incorrectly used word or a missing comma that could have slipped through. By fixing these issues, the software ensures that the writer’s ideas come across clearly, rather than getting lost in a sea of minor errors.
Learning from automated feedback
Beyond simply correcting mistakes, modern writing tools also have an educational benefit. Many provide explanations for their suggestions, effectively giving mini-lessons on grammar and style. A student might learn, for example, why a certain verb tense is more appropriate in context, or how using the active voice can make a statement more direct. By reviewing these explanations, writers gradually internalise the rules and improve their self-editing skills. Studies have shown that using an online grammar checker can increase students’ confidence in their writing and their ability to self-correct (Cavaleri and Dianati, 2016).
In one such study, over 70% of students reported that the software not only improved their drafts but also helped them understand their common mistakes (Cavaleri and Dianati, 2016). The immediate, detailed feedback allows students to learn iteratively: they see an issue, correct it, and remember the lesson for next time.
Using software wisely
Of course, no automated tool is perfect. These programs may occasionally misinterpret what the student is trying to say or offer suggestions that need human judgment to evaluate. Therefore, it is wise to treat them as helpful aides rather than infallible authorities. A nuanced or creative piece of writing might confuse the algorithm, so the writer must decide which changes to accept.
Moreover, software cannot assess the strength of an argument or the accuracy of content – those remain the student’s responsibility. Students who use these tools wisely can streamline their revision process. The apps handle the minor errors and awkward phrasing, allowing the writer to focus more on refining ideas and organisation. In sum, digital editing assistants offer a convenient way to elevate the quality of a draft while also teaching valuable lessons along the way.
Leveraging AI writing and feedback tools
Benefits of AI assistance
AI-driven writing assistants can now provide nearly instant feedback on a draft, much like a human tutor – at any hour. For example, an AI might highlight a missing topic sentence or recommend adding evidence to support a point. Some systems can even assign an approximate grade to a draft, giving students a sense of where they stand. In addition to critiquing text, AI tools can also generate content on demand when a student is stuck.
For instance, they can propose an outline or draft a paragraph to get past writer’s block. Some platforms – such as Uniwriter, which offers both an AI essay writer and an automated marking tool – combine these functions in one service. Such assistance can be invaluable when a student is working late with no human reviewer available. Initial research indicates that feedback generated by advanced AI can be surprisingly useful.
One study found that AI feedback on student essays nearly matched the quality of feedback from experienced human instructors (Barshay, 2024). The AI was especially good at pointing out issues in reasoning and use of evidence (Barshay, 2024). Educators have observed that when students receive instant critiques from an AI, they often revise and improve their drafts multiple times before submission (Roberts, 2024).
This iterative revision – spurred by the AI’s comments – can lead to a more polished final product. The speed of AI is a major asset here: students can get suggestions within seconds, apply changes, and resubmit for further feedback as often as needed. It creates a loop of continuous improvement that would be hard to achieve with the limited office hours of human tutors.
Limitations of AI tools
However, AI tools come with important caveats. Because basic AIs lack true understanding of subject matter, their suggestions may sometimes miss the nuance of an assignment. There is also the risk of over-reliance: if a student leans too heavily on AI to generate ideas or text, they might bypass the critical thinking process that is key to learning. While Uniwriter’s essay writing tool is highly trained on 100,000+ top standard essays and beyond ‘basic GPT’, many other tools are rather limited.
To use AI effectively, students should view it as an advisor, not an author. The human user must remain in control – critically evaluating the AI’s suggestions, deciding which to implement, and ensuring that the essay ultimately reflects their own thinking.
Additionally, students should carefully check any AI-generated content for accuracy, coherence, and originality. Students who leverage AI writing and feedback tools appropriately can accelerate their learning and save time. These systems are excellent for catching overlooked issues and jump-starting the writing process, but they work best as a supplement to, not a replacement for, genuine effort and creativity.
Using university writing support services
One-on-one writing guidance
Even with all the technology available, personalised guidance from real people remains one of the most effective ways to improve as a writer. Nearly every university has a writing centre or academic support service where students can get one-on-one help with their writing projects. These services are typically free and open to all, from first-year undergraduates to PhD candidates. In a writing centre consultation, a student usually meets with a tutor or writing advisor to discuss a specific piece of work.
The session might involve reading through parts of the essay together and talking about how to strengthen the argument or clarify the wording. Importantly, the tutor’s role is not to fix the paper for the student, but to coach the student so they can improve it themselves. For example, if a conclusion is weak, the advisor might ask, “What do you want the reader to take away from your paper?” – guiding the student to refine their own conclusion. This approach helps writers identify their recurring problems (be it a lack of critical analysis, a shaky structure, or grammatical issues) and learn how to address them.
Building skills and community
Students who regularly use writing support services often see significant improvements in their skills over time. By working through challenges with a tutor’s guidance, they become more adept at self-editing and more confident in their writing decisions. Studies have linked repeated writing centre visits to greater self-efficacy in writing – that is, students feel more capable of tackling academic writing tasks on their own (Lundin et al., 2023).
In fact, building a rapport with a writing tutor can make a big difference in a student’s academic journey. Research suggests that students who take advantage of writing centre support tend to achieve better overall academic outcomes and are less likely to drop out, presumably because stronger writing skills help them in all their courses (Lundin et al., 2023).
Moreover, writing centres often offer additional resources such as style guides, citation workshops, thesis “boot camps” for dissertation writers, or peer review groups. All these create a community of learning around writing. Students realise they are not alone in their difficulties and that help is readily available.
Becoming an independent writer
Crucially, writing support services reinforce the idea that writing is a process and that everyone can improve with practice. Writing centres ultimately aim to develop independent, self-reliant writers. A student might come initially for help structuring an essay, then later for feedback on a full draft, and eventually just for a final check on clarity.
Over time, they require less hand-holding as they internalise the lessons from prior sessions. By using these services, students invest in their long-term growth. They gain not only a stronger immediate assignment but also lasting strategies and confidence that will benefit their future work – both at university and in their careers beyond.
Wrapping up…
Academic writing may always be challenging, but students do not have to face that challenge alone or rely on quick fixes. Beyond simply buying an essay and handing it in (which is unethical), there is a rich landscape of support available to help students become better writers. Custom essay writing services, when used responsibly, can provide high-quality examples that illuminate what good academic writing looks like.
At the same time, students should actively build their skills through means like workshops and writing centre consultations, which foster gradual improvement and confidence. Modern technology adds further support: proofreading software can sharpen an essay’s clarity, and AI tools like Uniwriter can offer instant feedback or generate ideas to get started. Each of the five approaches discussed has its own strengths – some offer human insight and encouragement, others provide speed and technical assistance.
These methods are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the most successful students often combine them: for instance, learning from a model essay, using a grammar checker on their draft, getting AI feedback, and then reviewing the final version with a writing tutor.
By taking an active and ethical approach to using these resources, students can turn external help into genuine learning opportunities. Over time, they become more confident and independent writers. In other words, with practice, feedback, and the right support, every student can improve their academic writing skills and meet the demands of higher education with greater assurance.
References:
Adams, R. (2024). More than half of UK undergraduates say they use AI to help with essays. The Guardian, 31 January 2024. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/01/more-than-half-uk-undergraduates-ai-essays-artificial-intelligence (Accessed 14 August 2025).
Barshay, J. (2024). The potential of AI feedback to improve student writing. FutureEd. Available at: https://www.future-ed.org/the-potential-of-ai-feedback-to-improve-student-writing/ (Accessed 14 August 2025).
Cameron, J., Nairn, K., and Higgins, J. (2009). Demystifying academic writing: reflections on emotions, know-how and academic identity. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33(2), pp. 269–284.
Cavaleri, M., and Dianati, S. (2016). “You want me to check your grammar again?” The usefulness of an online grammar checker as perceived by students. Journal of Academic Language and Learning, 10(1), pp. A223–A236.
Lundin, I.M., O’Connor, V., and Perdue, S.W. (2023). The impact of writing center consultations on student writing self-efficacy. Writing Center Journal, 41(2), pp. 7–25.
Newton, P.M. (2018). How common is commercial contract cheating in higher education and is it increasing? A systematic review. Frontiers in Education, 3(67). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2018.00067 (Accessed 14 August 2025).
Roberts, J. (2024). Using AI tools to give feedback on high school students’ writing. Edutopia, 30 October 2024. Available at: https://www.edutopia.org/article/ai-writing-feedback-students/ (Accessed 14 August 2025).
UK Essays (2025). The AI essay writer vs the custom essay: a new landscape of academic support. UK Essays Blog. Available at: https://www.ukessays.com/blogs/ai-writers-vs-custom-essays-a-new-landscape-of-academic-support.php (Accessed 14 August 2025).
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