The Essay Mistakes That Make Every Professor Cringe (and How to Avoid Them)

Every semester when midterms roll around, I start reviewing college papers for students who need a little extra support. And after grading what feels like hundreds of essays, I’ve noticed a few trends that always seem to pop up. These students aren’t lazy or unmotivated, they just never learned some of the foundational writing rules that could save them hours of frustration (and a few points on their grade).

So, let’s talk about the three big things every college student should know before they even set foot in a lecture hall.

1. Write in third person.
If you’re writing a formal academic paper, “I” and “you” need to take a backseat. First person makes your essay sound personal and informal—great for a journal entry, not for a research paper. Second person (“you”) turns the focus on the reader, which is another no-go in academic writing. Third person helps your ideas sound professional, objective, and scholarly, the exact tone professors are looking for.

2. Retire this phrase forever: “In this essay, I will…”
This one’s a classic. If I had a dollar for every time I read “In this essay, I will explain…,” I could probably buy everyone a coffee before finals week. Here’s the truth: a strong thesis statement already shows the reader what the essay is about. No need to announce it. Instead of telling the reader what you’ll explain, just start explaining it. Let your ideas lead the way.

3. Learn how to cite your sources properly.
Citations may seem intimidating, but they’re really just a way to give credit where it’s due. Whether it’s MLA or APA, mastering your citation style early on will make every research paper smoother (and keep you far away from the plagiarism danger zone). Think of it as a rite of passage for every serious writer.

These three lessons might sound simple, but they’re the foundation of strong academic writing. If your student is headed to college soon, or already in the thick of essay season, it’s never too late to strengthen those skills.

That’s exactly what we focus on inside Teacher Jade’s Writing Academy, where students learn how to write with clarity, confidence, and structure. From crafting powerful thesis statements to mastering essay flow, our self-paced and teacher-supported courses make college-level writing feel less like guesswork and more like second nature.