One semester in the Center down; many more to go

As we near the end of the semester, I find myself doing a lot of reflection. I remember the very first time all of us met as a group back in August, right before I went to climb Mount Borah! I remember planning way ahead for that meeting, because the Writing Center has been important to me for a long time. I even planned my Borah trip around the meeting. Still, I had no idea just how much it would affect me.

I wrote about this for my internship reflection, but I’ll reiterate it here. My work in the Center has changed my life—that is no exaggeration! I was by no means directionless prior to working in the Center, but now, I have a new direction that just feels RIGHT! I am comfortable with it, but I know I will be challenged as well. I feel at home with the English department now, as if I’ve really made the right choices: I became an English major and stuck with it and applied for this job at the Writing Center. The work I’ve done in the Center thus far has been hard and confusing at times, but more often, it has been rewarding and wonderful! I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after I graduate and had a half-baked plan to teach abroad for a while until I figured out what I wanted to do. But now that I’ve found my niche, I know I need to ride this wave for a while. I love being at a university now that I’m involved in my department. I am actually excited to continue with my education after I get my bachelor’s degree, instead of craving a well-deserved break from school. So I’ve decided I’m going to apply for graduate school next semester, to begin grad school in Fall 2011.

This brings me to my next point—Melissa! I know you will read this, so I just wanted to thank you a hundred times for all you’ve done this semester. You are enthusiastic, compassionate, and organized, and it is absolutely contagious! I look up to you quite a bit—more than you realize! You partially inspired my “new direction” in life (or at least my academic life). :) Our next director will have big shoes to fill thanks to Mike, but also thanks to you! You have set the standards very high. You’ve accomplished so much, and I really appreciate the conversations and guidance you’ve given to me about writing center work as well as graduate school advice, etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Speaking of awesome people… I often wonder how it is that I found so many awesome people within such a small place (our Center). Maybe it’s just an English major thing… :) but I truly enjoy the company of my coworkers—we talk and laugh, but get down to business when necessary.

This job has brought be so many wonderful things. The people, the teachers, a closer link to the English department, the tutoring experience, more familiarity with the writing process, the magic and beauty of consultations, as well as the opportunity to take part in the Fellyn program, (soon to be AKA: Writing Mentor program)… all of these wonderful things are part of my life now, and I am forever grateful. I have never been so thoroughly happy with my school and work situation. I am getting a little bit choked up now, just writing about it. Life is very good.

This is my last journal entry of this semester, and today, I worked my last few hours of this semester in the Center. As I said to Jenny, Eric, and Phil as I left the Center, it was a bittersweet day. But I still have a year left—my glorious senior year!—until I graduate. And even then, I have a feeling I will be back.

Nothing is perfect, right? I’m sure this writing center deal isn’t perfect, but it certainly feels close.

Dear Writing Center, and all those involved, thank you for everything!