Emergency Response in the Writing Center: Too Much EMO

I  feel the anxiety running high this week-one week before finals. Students are running late or no-showing.  When they do show up they are generally stressed, overwhelmed, and a bit desperate for help. The article "Preparing for Emotional Sessions" by Gayla Mills seems timely and appropriate for my weekly blog.

There are 5 points Mills discusses in her article:

Being Evaluated: Remind students not to take their Professor's comments too personally.  If a teacher tells the student, "don't write like you talk" it means to make a paper more formal, not that they are stupid or the paper is terrible.  Remind the student that a teacher has the difficult position to "instruct and to critique." Remind the student that academic papers should not be "casual." 

When the Paper is Personal:  Writing assignments can be personal, which can bring out the emotionalism in the writer. Be professional and detached (but sensitive and understanding). Remember to have clear goals and stay focused on them. This minimizes emotionalism-from both parties.

Guys, Gals, and Tears: Women are more likely to cry during sessions, and women tutors may be more comfortable responding to these types of situations. Generalities aside, stress can reduce students to tears.  Assess whether the tutee needs a few minutes "to be heard,"or if they need to step outside to gather themselves. Sometimes people just need a  release before they can focus on the writing task. 

Learning Together: Staff preparation is a good way to learn to handle emotional situations. The 3 main emotions seen in Gayla Mill's Writing Center are anger, stress and anxiety. Staff meetings are a good place to discuss emotional situations. Research on issues and role playing are helpful tools.

Ways to Respond: If the student arrives in an emotional state- Assess the strength of the emotion. Ask questions. How are you? Have you had this problem before? Active listening and sharing a similar personal problem with an assignment or professor builds understanding and trust. Use judgment "about a light touch to the hand" but hugging is "too intimate." It is also appropriate to suggest rescheduling the session if the the student can't focus. If things deteriorate, they may need to be referred to the counseling department.

Remember that extreme emotions are rare in the writing center, however, its always a good reminder to remain calm and caring.  Try to combine the "brain" with the "heart," remembering that as tutors, we try to make a positive difference in the lives our students.

https://writinglabnewsletter.org/archives/v35/35.5-6.pdf