Final Journal Post

No catchy title needed! That one says it all. First, allow me to provide you with some disgusting Euro-pop, courtesy of Romania's version of TRL. Melissa, you said you don't like techno. This will change your mind, I'm sure. Who doesn't like crazy dancing and half naked women?:


Aaaanyway. This semester. Wow. What is there to say?

I remember that very first day in 303 where I sat in the back watching all the general craziness (perpetrated, of course, by Rob and Justin). That class was such an eclectic group of people, all of whom I was terrified for most of that first day. The self-esteem train had left Sara Station, and I was convincing myself that I was never going to be able to come out of my shell and make friends with anyone there. Oh, how wrong I was. Happily, I realized that everyone in 303 was purely and utterly insane, and I realized that I was going to fit in just fine. I've never been a very social person; I've always preferred to hide in a corner and keep to myself. But that didn't really seem like an option in this class. I feel, like Eden said a couple of weeks ago, that I've found a niche at this school. Before, I was content to race between classes and spend my free time in the library or under a tree on the quad. Now, however, I know I can just go hang out in the writing center, or hang out with the folks from 303. There is a real sense of community in the center, and I'm really glad I'm a part of it.

I've never considered myself to be a very "careful" writer. Unless it was something I really cared about, I just threw a bunch of stuff on the page and turned it in, and, miraculously, received As for my rather lackluster efforts. A lot of time, history professors don't really care how you right; they care a lot more about how you've defended your thesis and how good your analytical skills are. As a disorganized, fly by the seat of my pants kind of writer, this situation suit me just fine. After going through 303 (which is the first English class I've taken in quite awhile), I find that I pay a lot more attention to what I put on paper. I actually read through a paper before I turn it in, now! I mean, what a novel concept! Being back in contact with the world of English composition has really forced me to try a little harder when I'm writing.

As to the course material, to be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of writing center theory, or tutoring theory. All of it kind of runs together, and seems to be saying the same thing over and over again. But, it's publish or perish, isn't it? So I can't really blame writing center scholars. I didn't even know there were such people as writing center scholars out there before I took this class. While the class discussions could get quite fascinating, and I will miss them, I must admit that I will not miss Andrea Lunsford, Bruffee, Stephen North, nor his alter-ego, Muriel Harris. I will take their teachings with me, but hopefully, I won't have to read any more of their works.

And the consulting, OH, the consulting. How many people can truly say that they like their jobs? Probably not a lot, which is why I feel so blessed to be working in the writing center. Working at the writing center is truly rewarding, and I rediscover my love for tutoring every time I have a particularly successful consultation. Thankfully, I haven't had any really horrible consultations this semester, aside from MD, of course, and even that wasn't too bad. I always feel that I walk away with something from every consultation, and I like to think that the student does, too. Thus far I have had no requests for a kidney from anywhere in the Third World from any child dying of starvation, not have I been able to save a baby from a burning Wal-Mart. But I believe, in some small way, I'm helping people.

I've gotten a couple of regulars since I started working at the center; I mentioned them in one of my earlier blogs. Throughout the semester, I've seen major improvement in one of the student's writing, and the other has been getting gradually better, slowly but surely. It's a real privilege working with both of them, and I hope to see them next semester as well, and watch their progress.

One thing I'm definitely going to need to work on in the semesters to come is citations. Usually, I'm pretty good about MLA and Chicago style, but I usually draw a blank when it comes to APA. I can easily rattle off footnote format, or works cited page citation format, but when it comes to most aspects of APA...I just suck at life. So, even though we have those little books that are readily available for those needing quick citation help with APA, I'd really like to have at least a basic in-text citation in APA style memorized by next semester. I know--dream big, right?

All that to say...Hurray, Writing Center, hurray, awesome consultants, and hurray, future. And hurray, Euro-pop. I swear you'll have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day.