but there have been times when I've looked back over papers and articles I've written, and had no idea what the heck I've said, or if it were even in English.

I hope this *never* happens to me! :) I'm an undergraduate (may or may not continue to the graduate level), and I do have to write tons of essays each semester. Although, I'm not much of a theorist either; so, I hope I'll be able to understand my essays in a couple of years. ;)