Tips For Getting The Most Out of Your Writing Center Visit

Before Your Tutoring Session

Reflect on your current writing process and at what stages you tend to need the most help.
Consider your current knowledge of the writing project and what you are still uncertain about.
Review any feedback you have received on past writing and what changes you would like to make.

Review your assignment deadlines and make your appointments at least four days before the due dates.
Create a list of specific areas you want to address with your writing.
Plan on a half-hour session for papers of five pages or less, and an hour for longer writing projects, depending on the areas in question.
Bring any assignment guidelines or samples the instructor has provided.
Bring any texts relevant to the writing project.

Be prepared to make changes on your writing during your session.
Be prepared to take notes on what you discuss with the tutor.
Ask questions if you don't understand a tutor's comments.
Understand that there may not be time to get through an entire paper.
Understand that more than one appointment may be necessary to see improvement in your writing.
If you need proof of your visit, ask the tutor for an instructor slip before you leave--proof of visits can only be given by the tutor with whom you met.

Allow time between periods of writing to think about the writing and the feedback you have received.
Revise the larger issues first--content, thesis, organization, and then the sentence-level issues.
Review your assignment guidelines again.