A Writing Lab Most Students Are Missing Out On

                Are you a student at South Carolina State University? If so, have you ever heard of or been to the Push Writing Center.

                The Push Writing Center is located on the gloomy 3^rd floor of Turner Hall’s A Wing. Surprising, the lab has been around since 1980.

                As a journalism veteran student (as I like to say), I’ve known about the Push Writing Center since my first go-round at SC State (in 2010). My classmates and I were able to gain more knowledge on the writing center, by sitting down Mrs. Pinson, the coordinator of the Push Writing Center.

                Q: What all does the writing lab offer?

A.      We have two sections of the writing lab. The writing computer assistant were students can come in and do anything they want on the writing lab computers within reason; surf the web and work on their papers. If they (students) are working on their papers and they have question, there are tutors that can stop what they (tutors) are doing and go help them (students). They can come get help on their papers. Tutors will help with organization, good thesis statements, and strong topic sentences, and make sure students have completed the writing process successfully. Session are 30 minutes long.

Q: Do you have any issues with the writing lab location? Is this location good?

View inside of the writing center, computer area

A.      Ideally no! Ideally, a writing lab should be on the first floor of a building and ideally that building is on the center of campus. We’re kind of located on the far end of our campus. Everybody doesn't go to the third floor, if it was on the first floor at least most people would pass by it at some point of time. If students doesn't have a reason to come up here, then a lot of times they don't even know we exist. It's better upstairs than downstairs, I'm glad we're not in a basement somewhere.

Q: What is your passion for the writing center?

A.      My passion is my students. I want our students to succeed. Whatever it takes for them to be successful writers, that’s what we need to.

Q: How can someone become a tutor?

A.      The student must have an A or B average in English 150 & 151, must pass the English proficiency exam, have recommendations from professors, and must qualify for work study.

Q: What are five things students should know about the writing center?

A.      We are here (hello!) and available to assist students with writing. We have and will continue to offer workshops. We are not a fix it shop, we work with the writer not the paper. You’ll leave with a lesson.

Mrs. Pinson & tutor, Zaire Riley

If you would like to check out the Push Writing Center, they have upcoming workshop on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 3 p.m.  were they will focus on soft skills, note-taking, time management, self-discipline, and study skills.

As a frequent visitor of the Push Writing Center, I highly recommend that students take advantage of the opportunities the writing center has to offer.

The writing center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Be sure to check out the Push Writing Center’s blog as well.