Frequently Asked Question

• What do you do at the Writing Center?
• Where is the Writing Center located?
• Do I need to make an appointment? Do you take walk-ins?
• What do I need to bring with me to a tutorial session?
• How much does it cost?
• Can you fix my work?
• Will tutors tell me what to do?
• If I let you help me, am I going to get an A?

What do you do at the Writing Center?
Peer tutors provide help with writing assignments in most courses, regardless of subject. They will also help with personal and professional writing projects. Included in the tutoring staff are students majoring or minoring in Biology, Business, Corporate Communications, Diversity Studies, Economics, English, Film, History, Journalism, Philosophy, Political Science, Premedical/Health Care Studies, Psychology, Public Relations, Secondary Education, Spanish, and Women's Studies. Tutoring services are available to any Susquehanna University student.

Where is the Writing Center located?
The Writing Center is located in the Blough-Weis Library. If you take the stairs to the basement, go through the doors on your left. If you take the elevator to the basement, take a right and go through the double doors on your right.

Do I need to make an appointment? Do you take walk-ins?
The service is very busy, so it's a good idea to make an appointment. Students who make appointments are served first; walk-ins must wait until a tutor is available.

What do I need to bring with me to a tutorial session?
Some important items to bring to a tutorial session include the teacher's description of the assignment, relevant class notes, any work you've done on the assignment before the session, blank paper for notes, and a pen or pencil. Stated in more general terms: you should bring anything that would help the tutor understand your goals for the assignment and that shows what you've accomplished thus far.

How much does it cost?
The Writing Center's services are free to Susquehanna University students.

Can you fix my work?
Tutors may have the abilities necessary to "fix" your work, but that's not their job. Furthermore, "fixing" work qualifies as academic dishonesty (see "SU Policy on Academic Honesty").

Will tutors tell me what to do?
Tutors strive to help students make their own decisions. If a particular assignment or situation required a more directive approach, the tutor might offer a few "corrections" but focus on a small portion of the assignment in order to guide the student in doing the rest of the work herself.

If I let you help me, am I going to get an A?
Although studies show that tutoring helps students receive better grades, the grade you earn is, ultimately, your responsibility.