Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Joy Dygowski

Maybe you attended our open house or saw the posters tacked up around campus, but Belmont Abbey College is proud to announce that we have a brand-new Writing Center and new STEM Lab tutoring that is here to help students just like you. The Writing Center is located in the back of Stowe Hall, Room 216, and is open for drop-ins or by appointment Monday through Thursday. The STEM Lab is located in the Science building and has appointments available throughout the week.

Belmont Abbey College’s Writing Center exists to help students become better writers. The Center’s one-on-one session approach is aimed at helping both the student and the tutor to work through ways to improve the students writing. If you are interested in receiving one-on-one instruction from one of our experienced tutors, do not hesitate to schedule your appointment now.

Students can easily book an appointment at the Writing Center and STEM Lab through Canvas under the ‘Tutoring Options’’ tab which will redirect you to our online booking platform called ThinkingStorm. Once you have arrived on the ThinkingStorm website you can book a session that fits into your schedule. Or simply stop by our room in Stowe Hall and one of our skilled tutors will be more than happy to assist you with all your writing needs and questions! Or stop by the STEM Lab in the Science Building.

Throughout a student’s journey here at Belmont Abbey, it is almost guaranteed they will have numerous ups and downs throughout their educational voyage. Whether you are an athlete, seminarian, or part of the Honors College, school can be stressful. Combine this stress with learning how to write academically at a college level and you have a perfect storm. Thankfully the Writing Center here at Belmont Abbey College is here to help!

In an interview with one of our new tutors, Danashia Tucker, she said that; “The Writing Center is a great addition to Belmont Abbey, it provides the students with tutoring and guidance on their writing assignments.” When asked about what kind of writing help the majority of students are coming into the Writing Center for, she responded by saying that; “during a typical tutoring appointment, I help the students with the format of their papers, brainstorming ideas, and structure.” Danashia concluded the interview with an encouragement to all students to visit The Writing Center, saying; “visiting The Writing Center can be beneficial for any student having a difficult time with the writing process, or simply looking for guidance.” As a tutor myself, I could not have said it better.

A visit to The Writing Center here on campus can help to bridge the gap between a high school writing style and what you will be expected to do here at The Abbey. It can be overwhelming for students to ask for help with their writing, but the Writing Center is here to create a non-intimating environment to give the student the skills they need to become a stronger writer. The Center offers peer tutoring to students from all majors, and will also help with any writing-focused project for any of your classes. We want to help the individual student to develop strategies that will make them a better writer. The Writing Center is always here to help. Whether it’s a thesis, confusion on an assignment, or you just want a second opinion and some clarification on your writing, our tutors will work with you to give you the tools and direction needed to take your writing to the next level and set you up for future success here at the Abbey!

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Seth Farris

Writing papers can be hard, and learning to write at a college level can be even harder. To help students become better writers, the Belmont Abbey’s Writing Center was opened this semester. Located on the second floor of Stowe Hall, the Writing Center is a space for all students, no matter their level of experience, to receive assistance on their writing from fellow students. As the center’s official description states, “Students are welcome to come to the Writing Center during any stage in the process.” Whether you need help beginning an essay or simply want someone’s opinion on it, the Writing Center is here to help.

The Writing Center creates a welcoming and friendly environment by having Belmont Abbey students as its tutors who use their class experience to help others succeed. The tutors come from various backgrounds and have chosen different majors. Yet they personally understand the difficulty that can come with writing papers and want to help their peers with these struggles.

As a Writing Center tutor myself, I can sincerely say that the center is a great addition to Belmont Abbey College. The center is a good place for students to study, get feedback on their papers, and even meet new people. Being a tutor has given me the opportunity to meet more of my fellow students and witness some excellent writing from these students.

Although I’m a tutor, working in the Writing Center has benefited my writing abilities by encouraging me to think more about what goes into a thoughtful essay. When I tutor a student, I encourage them to think about how their main points connect and contribute to their topic. Doing this not only benefits the students but also helps me reconsider how I write my own papers.

The next time you’re writing a paper and have questions about it, come by the Writing Center in Stowe Hall! The center is open Monday through Thursday. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged and can be made via “Tutoring Options” on Canvas. A tutor will be available and ready to assist anyone needing help.

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.