The Center for Academic Success has started a Writing Mentor program. Writing Mentors are successful, faculty-nominated student writers who are trained to help new students become stronger, independent, and more confident writers. Each First-Year Experience (FYE) class has a designated Mentor to serve that specific course.  They can help with any stage of the writing process, including the following: 

 

• Understanding the essay prompt
• Brainstorming potential topics
• Creating outlines
• Expanding ideas
• Formatting
• Citing & citations
• Organization
• Overall revision (multiple revisions = better papers = higher grades)
• Editing
• Defining/refining your individual writing process

 

Here's how it works:

• Each FYE class will have one Writing Mentor specifically assigned to that professor and course. 
• Mentors are responsible for arranging at least five hours' worth of drop-in hours leading up to each paper due date. They will e-mail their assigned class and professor several days in advance with the drop-in hour schedule.
• FYE students should come prepared with the paper prompt and rubric, if available, as well as any prewriting that they have completed. Appointments are not required during drop-in hours; however, students should prepare to wait a few minutes in case the Writing Mentor is finishing up a meeting with a classmate.
• If FYE students can't make the Writing Mentor drop-in hours, they can visit the open desk hours in the Writing Center (lower-level of Mund). There are two tutors on duty Monday - Thursday, 7-9 p.m. No appointment needed.
  NOTE: This should be a last resort. The Writing Mentors will be able to help FYE students the best since they will already be familiar with the professor, the course, and the assignments.