How to Write a First-Class Essay in 24 Hours (The Emergency Guide)

The "Oh No" Moment

It's 9:00 AM. Your 2,500-word essay is due at 9:00 AM tomorrow. You have written exactly zero words. You have read exactly zero books.

First: Breathe.

We have all been there. The good news is that it is entirely possible to write a passing—and even a First-Class—essay in 24 hours. It won't be fun, and you will need a lot of coffee, but you can do it.

This is not a guide on how to be a perfect student. This is a guide on how to survive an emergency. Put your phone in another room, block Instagram, and let's get to work.

Hour 0-1: The Strategy (Do Not Skip This)

The biggest mistake students make when rushing is starting to write immediately. Stop. If you write without a plan, you will ramble, get stuck, and fail.

1. Decode the Question

Read the essay question three times. Underline the "instruction words" (e.g., Analyse, Compare, Evaluate).

Analyse: Break it down into parts.
Evaluate: Weigh up the pros and cons and give a judgment.
Compare: Show similarities and differences.

2. The "Thesis Statement"

Decide your argument now. You don't have time to "explore" the topic. Pick a side.

Example Question: "Is the UK constitution fit for purpose?"
Your Thesis: "No, it is too flexible and relies too much on convention." (It doesn't matter if you truly believe this, as long as you can argue it).

3. The Skeleton Plan

Open a blank document. Write your headings:

Introduction (approx 10% of word count)
Point 1 (The strongest argument for your thesis)
Point 2 (Another strong argument)
Point 3 (A counter-argument that you will disprove)
Conclusion (approx 10% of word count)

Hour 1-4: The "Smash and Grab" Research

You do not have time to read books. You are on a "Smash and Grab" mission for quotes and concepts.

1. Google Scholar is Your Best Friend

Search for keywords from your essay title.

Don't read the whole paper. Read the Abstract (summary) and the Conclusion. If it looks useful, scan the Introduction.
Ctrl+F (Cmd+F) is King. Search the PDF for your keywords. Find the paragraph where they discuss it.

2. Use Wikipedia (Wisely)

Don't cite Wikipedia. But do use it to understand the basics quickly. Then, scroll to the bottom References section. That is where the real sources are. Click those links and cite them.

3. The "Quote Mining" Technique

Copy and paste relevant quotes directly into your Skeleton Plan under the relevant heading.

Tip: Copy the reference details (Author, Year, Page) immediately next to the quote. Do not tell yourself "I'll find the page number later." You won't.

Hour 4-5: The Break (Fuel Up)

You have been working for 4 hours. Your brain is melting.

Eat real food (not just Haribo).
Drink water.
Go for a 15-minute walk.
Do not check TikTok. It is a time vortex.

Worried about how this essay will affect your overall degree? Use our Grade Calculator to see exactly what you need to score to keep your First or 2:1.

Hour 5-12: The Write-Up (The Grind)

Now we fill in the gaps. You have your structure, you have your quotes. Now you just need to join them up.

The PEEL Method

Write every paragraph using this structure. It guarantees you stay on topic.

P - Point: The first sentence should state the point of the paragraph. ("One major flaw of the UK constitution is...")
E - Evidence: Insert one of the quotes you found earlier. ("As Smith (2023) argues...")
E - Explanation: Explain what the quote means in your own words. Why does it matter?
L - Link: Link it back to the essay question. ("This demonstrates that the constitution is outdated.")

The " [REF] " Hack

If you can't remember a citation or need a specific fact, do not stop writing. Type [REF] in bold red text and keep going.

Example: "The majority of voters in 2019 supported this policy [REF]."
You will fix these later. Stopping breaks your flow.

Hour 12-14: The Introduction and Conclusion

Write these last.

Introduction: Start broad, narrow down to your question, and state your Thesis clearly. ("This essay will argue that...")
Conclusion: Summarise your main points. Do not add new information. Re-state your thesis with confidence. ("In conclusion, the evidence clearly shows...")

Hour 14-16: The References (The Boring Bit)

Now, go back and find all those [REF] markers.

Use a tool like Cite This For Me or MyBib. Do not type bibliographies by hand. It is 2025.
Check your university's style guide (Harvard? OSCOLA? APA?). Getting this wrong is an easy way to lose 5-10 marks.

Hour 16-17: The Polish

You are tired. Your eyes are stinging. But you are almost there.

Read it aloud. This is the best way to spot grammar mistakes and clunky sentences. If you stumble reading it, rewrite it.
Check the word count. Are you within the 10% leeway?
Check the formatting. Line spacing, font size, student ID number.

Hour 17+: Submit and Sleep

Submit the file. Check the receipt. Now, go to sleep. You did it.

Warning: Do not make a habit of this. It is stressful and risky. But for today? You survived.

Once you've recovered, check out our guide on How to Survive on the Minimum Maintenance Loan to make sure your finances are as sorted as your essay.