Hillcrest’s Writing Center is back in session alongside the new school year! The Writing Center is a free school resource for all students to receive help with essays and job or college applications. To get a better understanding of the Writing Center and how it can help Hillcrest students improve their writing skills for now and in the future, we’ve interviewed Mrs. Grieve, who teaches English and works with students at the Writing Center.
Why should students go to the Writing Center?
“The Writing Center serves as a place for kids to get extra writing help… or maybe there was a concept they didn’t understand, so they can use the writing center academically for those reasons. But what if you are applying for a college and they ask you to write an essay and you don’t know what you’re doing? That’s what the Writing Center is for! Come bring the prompt, bring the information you need and let’s talk about it. You can also come get help for job applications. It doesn’t have to be on paper, it can be a digital application and you just want to know the best way to sell yourself, come to the Writing Center. Also, it’s a great place to get help with organizational strategies or time management. It’s for lifelong skills.”
How do you help students at the Writing Center one on one?
“It’s an assessment of their writing skills. First we figure out where their strong points are and I try to get them to focus on their strong points. Then we focus on identifying some weaker points and I help them understand how to make them a little bit stronger. Sometimes it’s just sitting down with a student and looking over the assignment then talking them through the assignment. Sometimes they can’t get the creative juices flowing and they just need someone to help kickstart it.
How much does the Writing Center cost? When and where can students find it?
“Nothing, it’s absolutely free. We are open before school for drop-ins. This semester the Writing Center is open all day Wednesday for drop-ins. This means you do not have to have an appointment, you can just come in and ask a question. Otherwise, you need to text me at 606-6382 and that will secure you an appointment. The Writing Center is on the third floor in the English pod which is the part of the building that faces the football field. It’s the office next door to Mr. Barker’s old office. If they want to come in to make an appointment, my room is 322.
Is there anything else about the Writing Center you want students to know?
“It is a phenomenal resource, every college has a writing center, so why not take advantage of it now? We write to be read, that’s why we write so there’s no judgment. There are no peers in here doing the work, it’s just teachers. And I know sometimes kids don’t want to use writing centers because they are staffed with peers and that’s hard to go to a fellow student and be like ‘Tell me what I stink at,’ but it’s a little bit easier with a teacher because that’s our job.”
With the school year in full swing, the Writing Center offers a great opportunity to receive extra help on academic or extracurricular work. Or to even ask for advice on organizational and planning skills. Any students interested can contact Ms. Grieve by text (606-6382) or email ([email protected])
