Departing Words From Our Seniors | Part Two

Hey there, Writing Center family! It’s Annie, logging in one last time for the semester. It’s crazy that the spring semester is over! And it’s even crazier that this blog post is the last blog post I will write as the blog editor for the Writing Center. I can’t believe I’ve been writing for the blog for two years now. It seems like just yesterday that I was brainstorming what topic I should write about for my first blog post. I’ve enjoyed every part of being a blog editor and I’ll certainly miss publishing blogs for you to read. I believe the best way to conclude my time as blog editor is to allow our graduating seniors, myself included, to offer some advice to you and reflect on their time as tutors in the Writing Center.

Allie Claire Townsend is majoring in Elementary Education with endorsements in English, Social Studies, and Math. After she graduates, Allie will pursue a Master’s degree in Education Curriculum at Mississippi College and work at Brookhaven Elementary School as a third grade ELA teacher.

What advice would you like to pass onto other students?

Enjoy every moment, even the tough ones! College went by faster than I expected and looking back, I rushed through some of the moments I am going to miss the most (enjoy the naps though!).

What has been your favorite part of working in the Writing Center?

Since I transferred to MC in August 2020, the Writing Center has been a safe space. My favorite memory from working at the Writing Center is working Fridays in Spring 2021; the Writing Center was rarely quiet!

Abbie Grace Bishop is majoring in English Writing and Christian Studies and minoring in Servant Leadership. She is moving to Atlanta to work as a camp director at Camp All-American in May.

What advice would you like to pass onto other students?

Some college advice that I would give to incoming or current students would be to try your best to maintain a balance between planning ahead and preparing yourself for the unexpected bumps in the road that you would have never been able to prepare for. It never hurts to look ahead at the future and to be ready for what is to come, but it is also equally important to keep a mindset of not being completely thrown off when things do not go as planned!

What has been your favorite part of working in the Writing Center?

My favorite part of working in the Writing Center has definitely been the consistency it provides through its community. The past few years have been a roller coaster filled with a million unexpected events and that has changed a lot of what a college experience at MC typically is, but the Writing Center, whether it be online or in-person, has been a constant source of community!

Sophie Tusant is an English Writing major with a minor in Biology. She plans to work in Orlando at Disney for the summer. In the fall, she will start graduate school to become a speech language pathologist.

What advice would you like to pass onto other students?

My advice would be not to let yourself get caught up in grades and planning everything out. Enjoy the time you have with friends and grab a midnight polar pop or drive the Trace— if you do have to do work, find a spot, put up the phone, and knock it out, don’t let yourself be distracted and you’ll end up with a lot more time on your hands.

What has been your favorite part of working in the Writing Center?

I have loved getting to know people from all over campus. Whether it’s students coming in for appointments or the people I have shifts with, the writing center has truly been its own community on campus.

Issac Ting is graduating with a degree in Pre-Physical Therapy. He plans to work in Mississippi as a Crossfit coach as he applies to graduate school.

What advice would you like to pass onto other students?

Don't take yourself so seriously, but take your grades seriously! Be curious about everything, and try to build new healthy habits! The habits we build in college will stick with us for the rest of our lives - so pick your habits wisely!

What has been your favorite part of working in the Writing Center?

As a tutor, I love helping other students and seeing that "aha" moment. Meeting new students is also a huge plus. My favorite memory from working in the writing center was when I had to, for lack of better word, conduct a tutor session completely in Chinese as the writer I was tutoring was from China. It was definitely my fondest memory of the writing center!

Emily Stringham is majoring in Social Studies Education with an English Endorsement. After she graduates, she plans to teach social studies at a high school and pursue a Master’s degree in History.

What advice would you like to pass onto other students?

Always read your writing out loud or have someone else look over your work. It never hurts to have a second pair of eyes look over your writing.

What has been your favorite part of working in the Writing Center?

I have loved being exposed to so many different pieces of writing. Working in the writing center has made me a better writer because I have been challenged to read and analyze pieces of work across all subject areas.

Elijah Cardenas is majoring in English Writing and minoring in Business Administration. He plans to take a gap year before he pursues a doctorate degree.

What advice would you like to pass onto other students?

Don't stop trying to make new friends. The effort will pay off.

What has been your favorite part of working in the Writing Center?

It's been really cool to watch some of the writers I saw starting out at the writing center grow and develop and become better writers. It really makes the job fulfilling.

I, Annie Marks, am pursuing a double degree in English Writing and Psychology. After I graduate in May, I will attend Notre Dame Law School. I aspire to become a civil rights attorney and a professor at a law school.

What advice would you like to pass onto other students?

The best advice I could pass onto other students is to use the Writing Center! I know this advice is cliché coming from me, the blog editor at the Writing Center. However, I want to offer this advice to all students because the Writing Center is so valuable. Every student has the opportunity to grow their writing skills and find a community just by stepping through the Writing Center doors. I encourage everyone to use this opportunity!

What has been your favorite part of working in the Writing Center?

My favorite part of working in the Writing Center is seeing writers grow! Since I’ve worked here for the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to tutor the same writers over multiple semesters. Not only have I seen them develop their writing abilities over this time, but I’ve also aided in their growth.

It has been an absolute pleasure working as the Writing Center blog editor for the past two years. I’ve enjoyed helping you learn about various writing processes and our Writing Center. Although I’m sad to go, I’m beyond excited to announce that Mary Freeman and Amy Atwood will be your new blog editors! You’ve probably seen the posts they’ve written for us these past few semesters. They’re looking forward to connecting with our Writing Center community in the fall!