As papers and assignments start filling up your schedule, one of the best ways to help manage the academic weight is to visit the Writing Studio, found on the top floor of the Schroeder Library. The Writing Studio employs undergraduate consultants from across campus that support the student body with all things writing-related, and this semester, three new voices have been added to the mix. 

Junior English major Ellie Harris, junior English and Theatre major Camille Beeson, and sophomore Economics major Matthias Bruggeman have all joined the 24-25 Writing Studio Staff, and they shared their perspectives on the Writing Studio experience. 

“As a student, I appreciated how talking with a writing studio consultant helped me understand how a reader experiences my writing,” said Harris. “It’s easy to start overthinking during the writing process, so being able to discuss how my writing comes across and how understandable my ideas are is super useful. I’m also much less likely to experience writer's block when I brainstorm with a friend!”

“I first used the writing studio my first semester at least in part because it was required, but I rediscover every time I visit how useful these 45 minute sessions can be for honing my writing in novel ways that are still very much mine,” said Bruggeman. “This isn’t tutoring, and honestly, we don’t necessarily know more than you do. We consultants are your peers, equipped with a specific set of tools to help you hone your writing.”

“Our goal is to give writers the tools they need to produce work that fully represents themselves,” said Beeson. “As a double major in Theatre and English I adore storytelling, and believe that God has given each of us a story to tell! I am most looking forward to helping others tell their own stories, and equip others to confidently express their perspective.”

“I think most people assume that tutoring services and the Writing Studio exist as a support just for people who are struggling in their assignments or who are struggling in their grade,” said Zoë Litzenberg, Assistant Director of the Writing Studio. “The secret of our services are that we exist for all students at any point in their writing process, whether they’re working on class material or not. Really good writers know they need people invested and engaged in their writing in order to succeed, and we offer that for free, all the time.”

“Last year I participated in Tier two of the Presidential Academic Showcase,” said Beeson. “As the deadline approached I knew I needed as many eyes as possible on my paper. The Writing Studio pulled me out of my brain, and helped me to analyze my writing from an aerial view. That perspective gave me the tools I needed so I could shape the paper to reach a larger audience.”

"As Writing Studio leadership, we make an intentional choice to hire a diverse body of consultants,” said Litzenberg. “We like to have consultants that are involved on campus, [and] students who have lots of interests. For example, we have consultants who are majoring in art and business, who are majoring in theatre, and in science. Rather than just one type of person our consultants embody just how diverse our campus is, and the many different disciplines and interests that one can have.”

“I’m always excited to continue involving excellent amazing people in our services, and all three of our new consultants are friendly, well-spoken, thoughtful and hardworking,” said Litzenberg. “They’re people that I would want to work with for my own writing, and people that I would trust to work with any type of writing. They’re all really fun!”

“Don't be intimidated to visit the Writing Studio!” encouraged Beeson. “We are in the same spot that you are! Your writing and thought process blesses me and all of our consultants. I am so excited to grow because of your work, and learn more about who you are along the way.”

Find the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services space on the top floor of the Schroeder Library, and visit cui.edu/studentlife/writing-studio/make-an-appointment. to book your meeting with a consultant or tutor. Email Professor Kristen Schmidt at kristen.schmidt@cui.edu or Zoë Litzenberg at zoe.litzenberg@cui.edu for questions.

Tags: Education

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