Students, upon their entrance in college or university, have in mind several specialisations to work on.  As diverse as fields are, there are various learning activities prepared by higher educational institutions for them.
In this profusion of learning activities, perhaps, they’re familiar with courseworks; and if it does ring a bell, then, it shouldn’t be hard to perceive seeing themselves as writers.  If they fail to see themselves as writers, they may be in need to know how to become a writer, an academic writer in specific:

• They will be introduced to the concept of drudgery of composition, of incessant revisions in the name of improvement – all of these are part of addressing the need to express (by students), hone more skills, and provide a means to measure such skills (i.e., the writer’s product).

• They will not ask the question of “how to become a writer;” instead, the question will be refined to inquire as to “how to become a better writer?”  In effect, student would hunt for new techniques to try or attempt to properly apply them.  They do so in both conscious and unconscious effort.

• As an academic writer, they will continue to uphold the principle of original thought.  Hence, they must treat any other sort of data (that is not theirs) to be borrowed and will utilise apt referencing style-formats to acknowledge other people’s work.

• It would be necessary to experience differing writing styles as well as a proficiency in integrating research work with the students’ coursework.  This are skills that continue to flourish every single time students opt to address the question of how to become a writer.

There are a gazillion of dreams to aspire for – all of which serves to further both the individual and the dream.  Perhaps, you may want to become a writer.

And if you do, wouldn’t you love to know how to become a writer?  Well, one may assume that it has to start with one’s own, like writing essays, or fiction works of poetry, short stories.  Indeed, it’s true; it may start at whatever age, although younger years are ideal; it may start at school or at home; it may even be not derived from the writing activity, but from a related activity such as reading, or composing songs.

Whatever the case of upstart, it just has to start with the self.  But there are other avenues, and more advanced ones that could answer your personal question, “how to become a writer?”

• Get yourself enrolled in writing workshops or any other formal pursuits.  The nature could range as far as creative to technical.  Moreover, there are these durations of which one may prefer (short or long term course).
• Reinforce active participation by having your written works published.  It may simply be a school paper; or if you’re confident enough, a news or literary paper.  It doesn’t really matter if it’s one big shot or not; what does matter is that you had an experience of having your work screened with others, have it edited, or commented by a reader.
• Diligently keep and update your own portfolio.  It is not just by all means fun to watch and read your previous work; it’s also a means to assess yourself for improvement and constant switching (of styles, or tones).

One of the qualities that a university or college student should possess is being a good writer. Writing academic papers like essays, reports and reviews has become a common activity for any student. Young persons who are good writers are usually good students, earning good grades during their years of stay in schools. A good writer knows what to write, and knows how to transform his ideas into words. If you want to know how to become a writer, better aim on becoming a good writer. Transforming into a good writer may not be easy, as a student has to strip some bad habits off when undertaking an academic writing activity.

• Ignoring instructions given by teachers. Teachers give instructions not because they think that their students are dumb; they provide guidance because they believe in young people’s ability to carry out what is required and produce the desired results. Ignoring instructions means ignoring needed guidance that expedites the quality of student learning. To know how to become a writer also entails learning how to become a listener and a follower.

• Proceeding to the writing activity without planning. Some students believe that sitting down and planning things first is just a waste of time. These students, however, has to realise that although planning takes some time, it allows the entire writing process to run smoothly, even with some problems along the way. In the end, planning allows the student to save more time than not doing so.

• Relying on personal knowledge. One of the biggest mistakes that a student could commit is relying on his own knowledge. If a student wants to learn how to become a writer, he needs to learn how to complement his own knowledge with more credible and reliable information coming from trustworthy sources.

• To become a writer meant diversity. And the ultimate exposure to such diversity is the accomplishment of the coursework. A better way to practice the students’ writing skills and reap good grades is through writing your coursework. Plus an added bonus is having instructors to which students may consult or ask for a critical evaluation; remember, good writers need good critics.

• Though the question, how to become a writer, mentions the central figure as the writer, this does not exclude other writer roles. For instance, to become a writer also meant to become a resourceful researcher, a sharp proof-reader, or a grammar police. Thus, an aspiring writer must also invest in other writer-related roles to fulfil the requisites of a writer. 

• Improving as a writer entails receptivity. In other words, to become a writer, students should be able to handle various types of critique and effectively incorporate them in the next writing assignments or coursework.