Things I need to remember about essays:
Getting something done is better than getting nothing done.
Getting it done is more important than worrying about whether or not I get the references right.
Getting it done is more important than whether my thesis is the stupidest thing anyone has ever heard.
I don't need to stress about these things. I just need to write the damn paper and get it over with. I'll get a better grade if I turn in a piece of utter crap than if I don't turn it in at all.