finalizing a paper

When I write, most of the mistakes I make are pretty careless. And, when they end up in my "final" paper, it's because I haven't taken the time to go through the editing steps I need. First, I need to read my own paper...like several times. I also need to do this a day or two after I have finished it. I can't re-read it right away, or I don't catch my mistakes at all. Then, I really need to have someone else read it, too, as I tend to read right over my errors. (I don't always do this step, as my papers are long, as I feel like it's a lot to ask to have someone read it.) I also like to read my work out loud--to myself or, even better, to someone else. Somehow, I catch more mistakes that way, and it helps weird/awkward phrasing stand out. It also helps if I read line by line, blocking the rest of the paper with another sheet that's a different color. This keeps my eyes from wandering, and I focus on individual words. Sometimes I wish I would just take advantage of the writing center, as I work there, and have someone there help me with my finishing touches. But I usually forget, or I get too nervous about my work to do this.