For students facing Writing Proficiency courses or even a last-minute essay the Writing Center provides extra support. The Writing Center is full of tutors and Teacher Assistants who are there to help every step along the way.
Students can set goals with a tutor and build their writing from the bottom up or get feedback on the writing process and final product. They aren’t there to write it for students, but they’ll help lay the groundwork for success.
Maria Camarena (Director of the Writing Center) believes the space is collaborative and inclusive.
“We want to uplift every writer and make them feel confident in their abilities- inclusive as in everyone is welcome here, no matter their identity, their color, what they believe in; we welcome all.” Camarena said.“Nobody is perfect- we’re here to support you and help you feel more confident. Everyone can benefit from writing support.”
This sentiment is shared with tutors in the Writing Center and is expressed by returning tutors Muskaan Ali (English major, Senior) and Soleil Jones (Writing Studies, Senior Grad Student ).
When asked about how the center benefits students, specifically new students or freshmen on campus.
Ali stated “We’re here to help them learn about resources that will help them learn about the major they want to go to. We’re really here to help students start their academic journeys.”
Jones touched on the welcoming nature of the Writing Center, which is actively evolving to accommodate students of all backgrounds and walks of life.
She stresses that students should “Do it nervous, do it scared- you’re being given advice by a fellow student. Just because we’re writing tutors doesn’t mean we know everything.”
This attitude and striving to continuously learn is what pulls tutors together. Ali adds “We are not here to fix you. Even tutors struggle with things in their writing.”
One of the toughest parts of writing can be research. Instead of scrolling aimlessly for sources, students can drop by the Writing Center for help navigating the research process. Tutors can help students find the necessary pages or studies utilizing the library system.
They aren’t limited to just scholarly writing, though. There is the option for creative writing projects as well. This can be great for someone starting out on their writing journey. The Writing Center understands that taking that leap can be the most difficult part of the process. Scholars shouldn’t have to face it alone- especially when the system is set up in their favor.
Tutors can offer support in finding and building on one’s voice. It can be difficult to find this in projects one may be unfamiliar with, so the Writing Center strives to aid in this process.
To schedule an appointment students should check Stan Tutor for availability. From here, students can choose their tutor, subject they wish to work on and time that works best for a busy schedule.
The center is open Monday through Friday for in-person appointments from 9am-12pm and then from 1pm-3pm. Walk-in appointments are also an option for students. These run for 25 minutes and 50 minutes for scheduled appointments. Online sessions are also available from 5pm-7pm.
Students are encouraged to come in for weekly sessions but it can vary by each individual’s needs. The Writing Center is there to help.
