WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 18, 2019 — West Liberty University’s E. Kent & Barbara Culler Robinson Writing Center increased its hours this October to create more opportunities for students to get the help they need.
“We wanted to offer expanded hours in the writing center so students would be able to have more opportunities to work that fit their schedules to get extra help on their assignments,” said Monica Bragg, one of the seven student tutors trained to assist students.
The Robinson Writing Center is located in room L14 of Elbin Library and opened in fall 2017. It offers students a friendly, private writing space and free one-on-one tutoring sessions.
“One of the things that students find very beneficial is that the tutors are fellow undergraduate students. Many students enjoy talking with a peer who has encountered the same or similar assignments in college. They may feel intimidated approaching a professor with questions but are comfortable working with a tutor,” said Dr. Amanda Berardi Tennant, who is the director of the writing center and is an assistant professor of composition. “Many students who visit the Writing Center make multiple appointments to work on one assignment and then come back to work on assignments for other courses.”
Students can pick the day, time and tutor to assist them too, according to Tennant.
“We offer services through all stages of the writing process include brainstorming ideas, composing a thesis and revising final drafts. Students also are welcomed to bring their professional documents such as resumes and cover letters,” she said.
Each student tutor was trained by Tennant and completed the course designed for tutors. It consists of learning about pedagogic strategies and implementing knowledge from the class sessions in one-on-one tutoring sessions.
“I had great experiences when visiting the writing center. I like receiving help from a peer because I feel more comfortable getting feedback from a student than a professor. I can talk through my ideas in a more relaxed environment and I’m not as nervous so I can allow my ‘creative juices’ to flow,” said Hannah Morris, a junior criminal justice and English writing and rhetoric major.
Hannah liked it so much that she is now in the course to train Writing Center tutors.
“I really liked that my tutor asked me questions to get me talking about what I really wanted to accomplish. I was talking about what I wanted my readers to get out of reading my paper which lead to a stronger thesis statement by talking out my ideas with someone else,” she said.
Students also can use the center as a quiet space to work and laptops are available.
The Writing Center added an open writing hour from noon – 1 p.m. on Mondays and is open for formal appointments Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays every week during the academic year.
“Though we are not typically open on Thursdays, I do add Thursday appointments if tutors need to reschedule their time,” noted Tennant.
“I love being a tutor. I think it’s so much fun, and it makes me happy to see students become more confident going into their classes after they are done working with us,” said Bragg. “Students always appreciate our help and that makes me feel good.”
Each tutoring session is 30-minutes, students can make an appointment online at westliberty.mywconline.com. Walk-ins also are welcomed if a tutor is available. Please contact Amanda Tennant with questions at amanda.tennant@westliberty.edu.