At some point every student has to make the transition from hand-writing essay assignments to typing them up on the computer. Sometimes teachers don't realize the difficulty of typing a paper for the first time.

Word processors are not all that easy to use for the first time, so it pays to consult a guide for using Microsoft Word to find out how to get your first draft on paper. Once you've completed and polished your final draft, you may need to add page numbers or insert a table of contents. Both of these tasks can involve some sweat and tears.

If you are expecting to write a big paper in the next few weeks, and you have limited experience on a computer, you might want to brush up now.