Tutor Week: Meet Anna

To round out our tutor week, we've chosen to profile the lovely Anna!

Name: Anna

Major: Nutrition/Dietetics

Year: Junior

What do you like doing best in your spare time?

I like to read and I like to run, but not at the same time. ;)

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you about writing?

        The best advice about writing I have ever received is to set aside time to write the paper and then get it all done at once. I like to concentrate on one paper at a time so I can remember what I am trying to say.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job at the Miller Writing Center?

        I have really liked working with people who are stuck on their paper. By the end of the appointment they have a direction and a place to start working to complete their paper.

Is there anything challenging about your job in the Writing Center? If so, what is it?

        It can be challenging when people come in the same day that their essay is due. Start early!

When and where do you work at the MWC?

        I work Wednesdays 11-3 in Athletics and Thursdays 4-6 in RBD.

Hidden talent?

        My hidden talent is that I play the piano. I haven’t been able to practice much at school (pianos aren’t very transportable…), but I play when I can.

Any good book recommendations?

        I recently read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. It is fantastic!

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Tutor Week: Meet Morgan

You've made it halfway through the week! Take a break and meet another one of our delightful tutors, Morgan! 

Name: Morgan McVay

Major: Public Relations with a minor in Spanish

Year: Junior​

What do you like doing best in your spare time?

I love to do anything outside, especially if it involves being in the water and the sunshine. I also enjoy reading, painting and traveling.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you about writing?

"If you're running out of things to say, quit writing" or "write tight." We've been taught to "fluff" our papers to make our writing longer, but if you're having to think of something else to say, your readers are probably getting bored.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job at the Miller Writing Center?

Working with the same writer over time and seeing how much they improve their writing ability from paper to paper. I love when they pick out mistakes that we've covered before I do!

Is there anything challenging about your job in the Writing Center? If so, what is it?

I think the most challenging thing is having to tell someone that their paper doesn't match the given assignment. I know they've put so much work into it, but I would rather tell them so they can fix it before turning it in.

When and where do you work at the MWC?:

Monday in RBD 3-6PM

Tuesday in RBD 4-7PM

Wednesday in the LRC 10AM-12PM

If you had a super power that you could only use in the Writing Center, what would it be and why?

The power to warm myself up. The LRC is always freezing!

More seriously though: the power to read faster. I'm a pretty slow reader, so I could probably get a lot more done in the appointment time if I could read faster.

Any good music recommendations?

I love country music, but I downloaded the Haim album recently and I can't stop listening to it.

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Tutor Week: Meet Dianna!

It's Tutor Week at the Miller Writing Center, and we're showcasing some of the awesome members of our staff all week. To kick things off, we're interviewing one of our stellar lead consultants, Dianna! 

Name: Dianna Tingle

Major: Communication Disorders (soon to be a doctoral candidate in Audiology!)

Year: Senior/Future Graduate Student

What do you like doing best in your spare time?

If I have a lot of free time, reading is my spare time activity of choice. If I’m busy and just need a mental break, Netflix is my go-to. I also enjoy playing volleyball any chance I get.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you about writing?

“Write crappy rough drafts.” Seriously, before someone told me this, I focused on perfection with every sentence I wrote.  Now I get all of my ideas out on paper and write multiple drafts. It has changed my writing process and actually sped it up.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job at the Miller Writing Center?

I have enjoyed getting to know my clients over the years. I love learning from their thoughts, ideas, and papers. Everyone who comes into the writing center comes from a different background and major, so I get to learn something new every single day. My range of general knowledge is so much greater now because I get to read about so many topics from week to week. My clients also keep me updated on other important life things; for instance, do you know there is a really awesome Canvas app for iPhones? I didn’t until a client told me about it.

Is there anything challenging about your job in the Writing Center? If so, what is it?

I also struggle when reading chemistry papers, especially dissertations. I don’t know what it is about chemistry, but I have a hard time reading through all of the formulas and symbols.

When and where do you work at the MWC?:

I work on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-11 in Multicultural and 2-4 on Tuesdays in RBD.

Hidden talent?

I can pogo with no hands.

Book recommendation:

If you haven’t read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, get on Amazon Prime right now and order it.

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