Sara vividly remembers how she was encouraged to become a writing center tutor-a professor’s handwritten note. The question, scrawled in purple ink on one of her papers, asked, “Would you like to tutor in the Writing Center?” Sara was apprehensive, claiming she often made mistakes with punctuation, but the professor assured her that being a writing center tutor entailed more than knowledge of comma rules. For Sara, a religion major with a philosophy minor, tutoring in the Writing Center has become a favorite college involvement and, in turn, has strengthened her own writing abilities.

Fresh ink
“I like being that fresh set of eyes to see awkward phrasing or stilted ideas that the writer no longer notices. In an environment where people are too busy to expend energy on obligations other than their own, it is rewarding to focus my attention on helping students become better writers.”

Personal passion
“Each tutoring appointment is different depending on the subject of the paper and the student’s willingness to receive help. It’s important for students to know the Writing Center is not simply a “fix-it shop.” When I review papers, my top priority is for students to actively engage their writing. During a tutoring session, I often recognize that the content is fine, but the writing lacks passion. I encourage students to infuse their writing with passion by putting themselves into their work.”

Putting thoughts on paper
“On occasion, students express frustration about writing because they don’t believe learning to write well is important. Good writing is far more than producing a paper. Writing is about communication, and reflects thinking skills that are important to every college student. For me, writing is often a long and sometimes stressful process, but when I complete a piece of writing, I know I have ordered my thinking to create something that reflects who I am.”

Tutor talent
“Free tutoring is one of the best resources Northwestern provides. Academic support should never be viewed as a resource only for students who struggle with their classes. It is a tool for gaining confidence in writing and knowledge of classroom content. In my freshman year, I sought tutoring for all of my classes. The tutors became role models who helped me gain an appreciation for every subject I was studying. Tutors at the Writing Center strive to make it a vibrant, welcoming environment where students meet others who want to help them develop as a student and a writer.”