Why Be a Writing Tutor?

Courtney

What made you decide to apply to be a writing tutor?  I decided to be a writing tutor because I wanted to help others and learn.

How have your ideas about the writing center and tutoring changed from your first day until now?  My ideas have changed a lot. I originally thought that I would read the paper by myself and make marks on the paper of my thoughts of what needed to be done and then we would talk about it. I learned that it’s interactive, much like some classroom settings. I learned that we guide the students rather than lead the students through any part of the writing process and that’s changed the way that I write.

What are some important things you have learned from your experiences as a writing tutor?  I learned how to better communicate with others quickly and effectively. I learned how to accommodate to others’ needs so that I can work with all students.

What other benefits have you gained from working in the writing center?  I learned through this experience that I want to pursue an education career. I’ve improved on how I spend my time and with my own writing.

Why should a CLC student consider applying to work in the writing center?  It’s a great opportunity to meet amazing people, improve your own writing skills, and learn from others.

What else do you want to say about your experience as a tutor? AND/OR What is a question I should have asked you about your tutoring experiences?  I love my experience as a tutor and want to continue it as long as possible. I love everyone that I work with and love working with students and experience that light bulb moment. This is a great job and I recommend that everyone have the opportunity to try it out.

Bee

What made you decide to apply to be a writing tutor?  I was excited to get directly involved with CLC.

How have your ideas about the writing center and tutoring changed from your first day until now?  I see tutoring less as a thing only “Truly Angelic People” do, and more of a skill that can flourish when someone is empathetic and realistic. The writing center shouldn’t be a last resort, but a useful tool that anyone at any stage or level in their writing can utilize.

What are some important things you have learned from your experiences as a writing tutor?  Striving to be perfect the first time makes you worse at anything you do, and asking questions is never a sign of defeat.

What other benefits have you gained from working in the writing center? I like getting paid…. But I also love the community, because you really have to be a kind person to be a tutor, so everyone around you is already geared to be helpful.

Why should a CLC student consider applying to work in the writing center? It makes you a better writer when you have to explain and model your writing process. Once you work it into your schedule, it enriches your whole experience at CLC.

Athena

What made you decide to apply to be a writing tutor?  I received recommendation letters from my English 121 and 122 professors.

How have your ideas about the writing center and tutoring changed from your first day until now?  I originally thought I’d be proofreading and editing student papers… I thought that’s what the writing center was because I’d never been before. That idea changed almost immediately. Now I know the center is a place for collaborative work.

What are some important things you have learned from your experiences as a writing tutor?  Active listening. It’s easy to listen to someone and give your immediate opinion. It’s hard to listen to someone’s thoughts, ideas, plans, etc. and use their vision to keep their work theirs while trying to make it better together. Collaboration; using their ideas and yours to make a paper that is fully theirs and have them leave having learned something new about writing papers that they can hopefully take with them to their next writing assignment.

What other benefits have you gained from working in the writing center? I’ve met a lot of incredible people. I think I learn something new with each student tutor, teacher, adult tutor, and student I meet.

Why should a CLC student consider applying to work in the writing center? It’s fun, you meet people in a community college setting (something I have found difficult/ others have expressed they find difficult), and you learn just as much about writing as the students you’re tutoring by being involved in the writing center and in the required class.

For more information about being a Peer Writing Tutor in 2019-2020, see this blog post.

If you have additional questions,  please contact Jenny Staben, Faculty Coordinator, Writing Center,  at 847-543-2594 or via e-mail at jstaben@clcillinois.edu