WritersΓÇÖ Block Party
28 November 2018 Writers Block Party
With the last week of classes fast approaching, students are excited to take part in the Center for Teaching and Learnings Writers Block Party on Sunday, Dec. 9 from noon to midnight. This annual event, which began in December of 2014, gives students the opportunity toworkshop their writing assignments with faculty, staff and Writing Fellows.
Russell Payne 21 is looking forward to this semesters event after successfully leveraging last semesters Block Party to take some pressure off during finals week. It was great because the Writing Fellows and other CTL staff members were available with walk-in hours and I did not have to schedule ahead of time to secure an appointment.
While students like Payne are excited to receive help at this semesters Block Party, other students are equally as enthusiastic to help their peers with the writing process. Tatiana Loftus 19 participated in last years Writers Block Party, and this year will assume a new role as a Writing Fellow. I am excited to take my experience and use it to implement the best strategies for students to further their writing assignments, Loftus says. The Block Party is a great way for students to collaborate and enjoy this student-led resource to take away some of the stresses of finals week.
The CTL was not sure what to expect with the inaugural Writers Block Party, but they quickly realized the event met a need. TheSanford Room waspacked for 12 straight hours with students dropping in for writing help, a quiet workspace, or some coffee and snacks to fuel their studying. This event has only grown in the past four years, hitting a peak of 160 visitors at last Aprils Block Party.
Dean for Teaching, Learning and Assessment and CTL Director Susan Pliner has seen firsthand the impact that the event has on a variety of HWS students. One of my favorite aspects of the Writers Block Party is that there isnt just one type of student who attends: we have everyone from first-year students to MAT students, from students who are struggling in their first semester to students working on their Honors projects. I love how it reflects that all students benefit from enrichment and support, and creates community around academic engagement, says Pliner.