By Kona Momoh, student reporter
Writing can be a challenging process, but like most skills, it simply requires practice. The Collin College Writing Centers provide the tools for students to improve and expand their knowledge of writing while simultaneously preparing them for life outside of college. Here’s a look at some of the impact the writing centers have had on students and the resources that make that impact possible.
International student Huong Ta initially heard about the center through her English professor and decided to give it a shot.
“I’m not a native English speaker, so when I was writing I wasn’t sure whether or not I was using the appropriate grammar,” she said. “I needed someone to take a look at my work.”
The writing center was able to give Ta the feedback she needed, but the benefits didn’t stop there. Ta said, “the sessions helped me understand the English language and more importantly, inspired me to think and expand my ideas more creatively.”
Understanding the difference between MLA and APA, brainstorming ideas and organizing essays, students attending the writing center come in for a variety of reasons and the center does a great job of being inclusive for all students.
Katherine Wallis, a tutor in the Spring Creek Campus writing center said the center works to ensure that every student who comes in can receive the assistance he or she needs. Many of the tutors have backgrounds in fields such as business, journalism, research and literature. The center also has ESL instructors that work to help international students.
“We’re all teachers or former teachers, but everyone has their own interest and strengths,” Wallis said.
The variety of tutors allows for all students to truly gain knowledge and skill that they can take with them outside of the center.
“We try to go far beyond English. We want students to know that this is not just an English writing center. It’s for everybody,” Wallis said.
Student Carolina Martinez said that what started off as extra credit at the writing center quickly turned into an enlightening experience.
“It felt a little intimidating at first because, as a freshman, I wasn’t quite sure how to use it,” Martinez said. “Luckily, as soon as I asked their front desk for information, I was quickly shown how it worked. I’m so grateful to have this great resource of knowledgeable professors to help me improve my essays.”
The resources offered by the writing center also include workshops which cover study skills, test preparation, career focused seminars, etc. These workshops aim to prepare students to excel both in college and the real world. The best part of all these great resources is that they are absolutely free.
Interested in finding out more about the writing center? Log on to cougarweb.collin.edu and click the tab titled “my courses.” The link for the writing center will be under “student support.”