Writing Studio FAQs
We work with current Rider University undergraduate and graduate students as well as Rider alumni. All students are encouraged to use the Writing Studio for any stage of the writing process. Students are welcome to bring papers from courses across the disciplines and personal statements for internships and/or graduate school. 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).
- In person: Stop by the Academic Success Center, in BLC 237, to schedule an appointment.
- During the fall and spring semesters our administrative hours are:
- Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- During J-Term and summer sessions, our hours are:
- Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- During the fall and spring semesters our administrative hours are:
- Telephone: Call ahead (preferably at least 24 hours in advance) 609-896-5008.
- TracCloud: Click on this link to schedule an appointment using our online scheduling program. Students’ Rider Key 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; please visit or call the Academic Success Center to inquire: 609-896-5008.
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 assignment guidelines, 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 tutors will not edit or correct students’ papers. Instead, the tutors will help guide tutees in identifying areas within their papers that would benefit from revisions; the tutees then make any necessary revisions themselves. 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. There are also no grade guarantees by the Writing Studio staff.
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.
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 instructions and any assigned readings, research articles, or class notes that might help.
*** Laptops are available if needed during a session.
All appointments, whether face-to-face, OWL, or remote are scheduled through TracCloud. 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 2 sessions per week. Exceptions can be made at the Writing Studio Manager’s discretion. Please plan ahead to determine priorities for course assignments. ***Professional tutors can work with students to create a schedule prioritizing assignments; please call 609-896-5008 to set up an appointment.
- If students are running late to a scheduled appointment, please do your best to contact the Academic Success Center (ASC) to inform the staff. Students who are more than 15 minutes late to an appointment without contacting the ASC will be marked as “missed.” Once a student has accumulated three missed appointments, they will be unable to schedule appointments on their own through TracCloud. In order to make future appointments, students will have to speak with the Administrative Associate, 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.
- Same day appointments may be offered based on availability. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments with as much notice as possible in order to secure a timeslot.
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 aatkinson@rider.edu.