Before you scroll past this article thinking, “Ugh, not another advertisement for my school’s writing center,” give me a chance to explain what the center is all about. I used to be in your exact position: a student with preconceptions of the writing center, thinking I know exactly what they do down there in that corner of the library. Being a first-year student, I never thought I would have learned so much, so quickly, about the history of writing centers and their objectives. Now that I have a stronger understanding of the writing center’s purpose, and how they help their community, I find that I owe it to you guys to share my findings about the mysterious writing center.
First, I should probably begin by explaining how I came to learn so much about the writing center. In my required first year seminar course (which feels a lot like a writing-heavy English class!), my teacher grew to enjoy my writing, and recommended that I submit an application for an invite-only writing class. The course is called Peer Tutoring in Writing, and I decided to apply, eager to have a paid position as a peer tutor on campus next semester. As an economics major, I found myself quickly surrounded by English education majors who clearly knew a lot more about the writing center than I did, so I knew I had to do my homework thoroughly in order to actively participate in class.
After reading, annotating, and discussing several long, tedious articles on writing center theory and practice, I can definitely say I have a greater understanding of the writing center’s goals. Many of us (myself included, prior to taking this writing class) might be under the impression that a writing center is somewhere to take a piece of writing if you need editing help, or have lower writing abilities. Last semester, I was told that I could get extra credit for going to the writing center, and I recall feeling embarrassed that I had to go, thinking I wouldn’t get anything out of it. Now, I’m advocating for it!
With my newfound understanding of how writing centers and the workers there operate, I strongly recommend that you give your school’s writing center a shot. Those who walk into the center are met with students who can help with the process of planning, writing, revising, or finalizing a piece of writing, and everything in between. The notion that the writing center is for those who consistently struggle with writing is completely untrue. Anybody can, and should, come by and collaborate with a peer tutor!
I understand that it can be intimidating to sit before someone you hardly know, but it gives you an opportunity to meet new people! Introduce yourself, talk about your writing, and you might walk out of your appointment with a new friend, as well as, peer tutor. Peer tutors will never make you feel embarrassed of your work, nor will they criticize your mistakes. The writing center has a community feel, and everybody there hopes to strengthen your academic skills, form a great relationship with you, and hopefully allow you to leave with increased confidence in your writing ability!
Let me leave you with a task: stop by your writing center and talk to someone about their mission. Bring by a writing assignment at any point in the process and you’ll understand that the experience really is wonderful!