Ready to run

I am ready. I might not be great at it yet, but I think I am ready to have my own consultations. I have sat in on several, “creeped” in on several more, written pages and pages of notes, and spent hours analyzing and daydreaming about consultations. I have started pretending like I was the consultant during my sit ins, having conversations with the student in my head. I listen intently to what the student has to say, and then I contemplate what I would say in response. Sometimes that is different than what I observe the consultant doing, but effective nonetheless. Sometimes it is similar, which boosts my confidence.

Our reading for this week has corresponded more directly than any other previous week. As I listened to and sat in on consultations, the ideas and words of “Helping Writers throughout the Writing Process” from The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors and “Provocative Revision” by Toby Fulwiler were ringing through my head. I witnessed global and sentence level revision, addition, brainstorming, grammar lessons, and various writing processes. It almost seemed like the consultants I heard had memorized these pieces. But I doubt that. I think they probably got some ideas from these pieces, but honestly it seemed like what they were doing came naturally to them. They have done these consultations for hours and hours, and have learned to adapt to each student and consultation, so they can easily do whatever it is that the student needs. This is fascinating to me, and I already see myself working towards that. The wheels are spinning, and I am developing myself as a consultant. And the Writing Center “bug” is alive and well inside of me. It’s an exciting time, and next week when I go into the Center, I’m going to be hoping for a walk-in!

Last night in class, we talked about the readings, but in smaller groups instead of as an entire class. I thought that was really effective. I am a quiet person, (always have been), and it was much easier to share my ideas and make sure everyone else was heard when in smaller groups. I found myself taking on the role of comforter. Some of the people in my group were scared of certain things to come, like their first consultation and the consultation philosophy, and I surprised myself with the things that came out of my mouth. I mentioned that a few weeks ago, the things we are doing now seemed scary, and now they are not. I believe that will be the same case with all of the other things we are scared or worried about. I am much more ready than I thought I was. And I’m glad I was able to help ease the fears of my fellow consultants.

Another thing that struck me about class last night was something Melissa said at the end, about not letting ourselves become stale in our work at the Center. I liked the word she chose, because it gave me such a clear understanding of what she was trying to say. I also love the concept. In order to work in the Center, we have to be lifelong learners, constantly challenging what we think we know. That’s harder than other approaches, but by far the most interesting and rewarding, and I’m glad I’ve found an opportunity to do that.

This was by far the best week yet! And I have a feeling it will only get better once I get to do consultations. I figured I’d be ready before week seven, but this is week four and I’m already excited to dive in!