Looking back at this semester I really enjoyed the writing fellows practicum and I feel as though I learned a lot during this process. Although the class was short, reflecting with other writing fellows and also being immersed in the writing fellow experience (meeting with students) has definitely helped me grow as a tutor. I am a writing minor, so this course went hand in hand with that, and I would definitely recommend it to other students in this minor because it not only looks good, but it is a great way to advance writing skills. I wish that tutees would understand that we are actually here to help and almost utilize it more. This is aimed specifically at the students that come “only for the points”. We have dedicated time and hours to meet with students so why not meet with someone for a mere 15 minutes if it has the potential to better your paper or writing skills for the future. I think that WF may be a wasted resource for some students, but oh well, there loss. It’s the students that do use us that make it worth it!
As an environmental studies major, I think being a part of this program has a few benefits. Firstly, cooperation and “people skills” are essential for any career path. In this program we engage with other students from different backgrounds, cultures, reading levels, etc, and work together with them to find solutions for their writing concerns. In the sciences, cooperation is key, so you learn virtues like patience and kindness (how to critique gently) which are important anywhere. Additionally, specifically in an environmental career, writing is an incredibly useful skill. Knowing how to tutor others’ papers makes you more reflective of your own writing patterns which improves how you write and what you write. Speaking moreso to the course load itself, being a writing fellow has helped me appreciate the value of my own time and how to balance it with my other course work and has helped me learn how to set professional boundaries with students.
I wish tutees would understand that this time is meant to truly help them. In these sessions they can focus on the problems or concerns they’re embarrassed to bring up in class settings, etc. I think students coming into college have assumptions about tutoring being something they should be ashamed of, or something they don’t need, but everyone needs help with their writing (even me, a writing tutor!!). We are always growing as writers.
2 thoughts on “FINAL JOURNAL”
Looking back at this semester I really enjoyed the writing fellows practicum and I feel as though I learned a lot during this process. Although the class was short, reflecting with other writing fellows and also being immersed in the writing fellow experience (meeting with students) has definitely helped me grow as a tutor. I am a writing minor, so this course went hand in hand with that, and I would definitely recommend it to other students in this minor because it not only looks good, but it is a great way to advance writing skills. I wish that tutees would understand that we are actually here to help and almost utilize it more. This is aimed specifically at the students that come “only for the points”. We have dedicated time and hours to meet with students so why not meet with someone for a mere 15 minutes if it has the potential to better your paper or writing skills for the future. I think that WF may be a wasted resource for some students, but oh well, there loss. It’s the students that do use us that make it worth it!
As an environmental studies major, I think being a part of this program has a few benefits. Firstly, cooperation and “people skills” are essential for any career path. In this program we engage with other students from different backgrounds, cultures, reading levels, etc, and work together with them to find solutions for their writing concerns. In the sciences, cooperation is key, so you learn virtues like patience and kindness (how to critique gently) which are important anywhere. Additionally, specifically in an environmental career, writing is an incredibly useful skill. Knowing how to tutor others’ papers makes you more reflective of your own writing patterns which improves how you write and what you write. Speaking moreso to the course load itself, being a writing fellow has helped me appreciate the value of my own time and how to balance it with my other course work and has helped me learn how to set professional boundaries with students.
I wish tutees would understand that this time is meant to truly help them. In these sessions they can focus on the problems or concerns they’re embarrassed to bring up in class settings, etc. I think students coming into college have assumptions about tutoring being something they should be ashamed of, or something they don’t need, but everyone needs help with their writing (even me, a writing tutor!!). We are always growing as writers.