Writing Studio FAQs
We work with everyone enrolled at Rider University, from freshmen students to graduate students and alumni. All students are encouraged to use the Writing Studio for any stage of the writing process. Students are welcome to bring papers from any course as well as personal statements. Sessions for developing reading, test-taking, and test prep strategies are also available. Education majors taking the Praxis Reading/Writing core or subjects tests can also request tutoring for study strategies when preparing for the exam(s).
Rider University students can schedule an appointment three different ways:
- In person: Stop by the Academic Success Center, in BLC 237, to schedule an appointment.
- During the fall and spring semesters our hours are:
- Monday through Thursday 8:30 am - 8:00 pm
- Fridays 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
- During J-Term and summer sessions, our hours are:
- Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Fridays 8:30 am - 12:00 pm.
- During the fall and spring semesters our hours are:
- Telephone: Call ahead (preferably at least 24 hours in advance) 609-896-5008.
- TutorTrac: Click on this link to schedule an appointment using our online scheduling program. Students’ Rider EasyPass serves as the login information.
Face to face tutoring in the Writing Studio is the most effective type of session. However, if it is difficult to attend a session in person, we also offer Online Writing Lab (OWL) paper review via email (visit the “Online Writing Lab (OWL)” page for specific policies and instructions). Additionally, we offer remote tutoring sessions via Zoom or Google Hangout; please visit or call our center to inquire: 609-896-5008.
Drop-In writing tutoring is also available. The Drop-In sessions are ONLY 15-20 minutes long; this type of tutoring is best when students have very specific concerns that can be addressed quickly (e.g. Is my thesis/argument specific enough or sound clear? Can someone check my Works Cited or References page?). Please email [email protected], visit our center, or call 609-896-5008 for the days/times Drop-In hours are offered as they vary from semester to semester. You can also check out the Academic Success Center’s Instagram (rider_asc) for updates!
A tutoring session may be to:
- Brainstorm an assignment
- Formulate a thesis
- Create an outline
- Revise a current draft
- Go over study or reading strategies for courses across the disciplines or Praxis preparation
- Help non-native speakers improve their command of the English Language
Students (tutees) work with tutors to determine the goals for the session and then interactively address those goals. Tutees are responsible for their work, not the tutor. Please bring assignments, assigned readings, and any written drafts.
***Please note: Students do not need to have writing started or completed before attending a tutoring session; brainstorming is one of our favorite steps to take with tutees!
The Writing Studio will not write or “fix” students’ papers; and, there are no grade guarantees. The tutors strive to help tutees identify areas in their papers that would benefit from revisions. The tutees then make those revisions. The best results happen when tutees are actively involved in the sessions by asking questions, brainstorming ideas, and taking notes to review when revising or writing drafts once the sessions are complete.
Students (tutees) determine the goals of the sessions. However, if the tutors notice additional areas of concern within tutees’ drafts, they will suggest taking time to address those concerns. If students have yet to start a draft, tutors will help tutees determine an agenda by asking relevant questions that guide students in setting goals for the sessions.
Bring a draft of your paper if you have one, or notes and ideas if you are just beginning the assignment. Please bring the assignment and any texts, readings, handouts, or class notes that might help.
All appointments, whether face-to-face, OWL, or remote are scheduled through TutorTrac. At the end of the appointment, the session is marked attended and the length of the session is noted. An email is sent to all professors, every Saturday, listing students who attended tutoring for their specific classes.
The Writing Studio appointment policies are as follows:
- Students may have up to 4 (FOUR) sessions per paper assignment. However, no more than 3 sessions per week in total. Please plan ahead to determine priorities for course assignments. ***Professional tutors and Academic Success Center Success Coaches can work with students to create a schedule prioritizing assignments; please call 609-896-5008 to set up an appointment.
- Students who are more than 15 minutes late to an appointment will be marked as “missed.” Once a student has accumulated three missed appointments, they will be unable to schedule appointments on their own through TutorTrac. In order to make future appointments, students will have to speak with an Administrative Specialist, the Writing Studio Manager, or one of the Academic Success Center’s professional staff to schedule future appointments.
- To cancel an appointment, students must call or stop by the center no later than 2 hours prior to the scheduled appointment or the appointment will be marked as missed.
The following information also applies:
- Students may not schedule back-to-back appointments for a paper, unless granted permission by the Writing Studio Manager.
- Appointment sessions last 50 minutes.
- Students can receive tutoring for their own work. We cannot review a paper on behalf of someone else.
- Students may make same day appointments based upon availability, but it is not recommended. During midterms and finals the studio is very busy, so please plan ahead.
Student Writing Consultants (SWCs) must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and a B+ or better in either CMP 125 or BHP 150.
Other requirements to apply for the position are: recommendations from writing intensive course instructors as well as a current writing sample.
*** Students who have completed ENG 316, Theories of Tutoring and Writing, and are recommended by the course instructor (with a B+ or better in the class), are also encouraged to apply. Potential candidates can apply through Handshake or fill out the electronic application. Please send other required documents to [email protected].