Laurier Writing Services
75 University Ave. West Waterloo, ON, Canada

You can do it, #GoldenHawks! We believe in you! Reach out to the resources you need, be sure to take breaks, and do the best you can!

Graduate Students! Expressions of interest for our new Developing a Major Writing Project program are due on Friday at 4:00pm! This program aims to create a community of likeminded academics who are writing major research papers, theses, dissertations, and papers for publication.... The program runs Mondays during May, excluding Victoria Day. To find out more about the program and how to submit your expression of interest, click here: https://students.wlu.ca//developing-a-major-writing-projec

Don't forget, we're hiring writing tutors for the 20212022 school year! Whether you're an undergraduate, Master's, or PhD student, we're looking for strong writers with a passion for helping others. Applications are due Friday, May 7 for a September start. View the job listing: https://students.wlu.ca//winter/tutor-recruitment-2020-202

Still working on final papers? Though we're very busy over the next few weeks, we usually have some last-minute appointments available because of cancellations! Keep checking back on our Instagram stories every day to see our latest availability. You can reserve an appointment here: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

Good luck on your exams, Golden Hawks! Do your best, and reach out to the supports you need to help you. We believe in you!

Today is the last day of our regular tutoring schedule for the 202021 academic year! A sincere thank you to all of our incredible peer-tutors who have been working to help students in between writing their own assignments and exams. For our tutors who are sticking around for the 202122 academic year, we'll see you soon. For our tutors who are moving on to post-Laurier pastures, thank you for your time and dedication we'll miss you and wish you the best of luck in your new adventures. If you're still writing your assignments, don't worry! We're still offering appointments over the next few weeks based on tutor availability. Make sure to keep checking our Instagram stories or Twitter feed every morning to see our availability.

Graduate students! Don't forget that expressions of interest for the new "Developing a Major Writing Project" program are due next Friday! Find out more: https://students.wlu.ca//developing-a-major-writing-projec

Congratulations on reaching the last day of classes, #GoldenHawks! It can be bittersweet to reach the end of the Winter semester, especially if this is your last term at Laurier. Enjoy the days that you have, and remember that we are so proud of you!

Burnout is always a big concern for students this time of year, and Zoom fatigue isn't helping this semester! Our best advice is to take your assignments and commitments in small, unintimidating chunks. What can you do in five minutes today that will make your life easier later on? Find a source at the @laurierlibrary Print out your assignment instructions and highlight the important information... Send an email to a professor or TA with a question you have about an upcoming assignment Do a citation for one of your sources Write a to-do list for each of your assignments and upcoming deadlines Schedule computer and app updates to happen automatically at night Read a writing handout Book an appointment at Laurier Writing Services! Five minutes is all you need to get a head start, feel accomplished, and start the domino effect of great things to come without burning yourself out.

Over the study days, next Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll be running our "Approaching In-Class and Exam Essays" workshop! This one-hour session is designed to help undergraduate students study for and successfully complete timed, writing-based assessments. Reserve your spot: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

It's never too late to pick up good writing habits! Take things one day at a time and be sure to reach out to the supports you need. We've just added new appointments to our system, and we'll be adding even more over the coming weeks. You can also join us for one of our upcoming workshops! Reserve your place here: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

This is the busiest time of the semester for writing appointments! Keep your eyes open for new appointments and cancellations. Every day, we'll let you know about available appointments on Twitter and on our Instagram stories. https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

Don't forget that expressions of interest for the new "Developing a Major Writing Project" program are due on April 23! No matter whether you're writing a thesis, MRP, dissertation, or paper for publication, we can all benefit from a writing community. Learn more here: https://students.wlu.ca//developing-a-major-writing-projec

One of the hardest lessons a lot of students have to learn is that assignments aren't always going to be perfect by the time you hand them in. A lot of the time, even for the strongest students, this can come down to a simple concept: you don't know what you don't know. As you do more assignments and you develop your writing style within your discipline, your writing will grow stronger. They say that practice makes perfect, but you have to let yourself make mistakes along th...e way! Learning about what you don't know doesn't have to be and shouldn't be an isolating experience. Whether you're joining us for an appointment to go over a draft of your paper or you're popping into a workshop to master an important topic, reaching out for a helping hand can help you to learn academic writing concepts in a no-pressure environment. Remember, we're happy to help you improve on assignments that are already marked, as well! We can help you interpret and revise if you're getting comments like "so what," "awkward sentence," or "what's your argument."

Do you have an in-class or exam essay coming up? We are running a workshop on strategies for success when you are writing under tight timeframes! Sign up below for the session on November 25 at 3:00pm or the session on December 3 at 7:00pm. https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

First drafts don't have to be good, they just have to be written! You can't get any better if you don't have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes you're bound to make. Need help getting started? Sign up for a workshop or a one-on-one appointment: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

Meet Victoria (in her natural habitat)! This is her first year with Writing Services and her fourth year at Laurier. Victoria is majoring in Communication Studies and North American Studies with a minor in Political Science. She is also an IA for PO101 and 102! Aside from school-related activities, Victoria enjoys knitting and crocheting, checking out local bakeries, taking care of her plants, and trying new slow-cooker recipes. When she isn’t doing any of those things, she’s usually curled up on the couch flipping through a cookbook.

Doing your best does not mean pushing yourself beyond your limits to succeed at your assignments. We hope that you are taking time to eat, sleep, care of your mind and body, and reach out to the supports you need. What self-care activities are you doing this weekend?

These next few weeks are the busiest of the semester for our peer tutors. If you're looking to book an appointment, it is best to try to do so at least a week or two in advance! We currently have only one appointment available this week: Monday at 5:00pm. Keep your eyes open for cancellations, as we'll post available appointments on our Twitter feed and Instagram stories! You can book an appointment, sign up for a workshop, or find the link for Drop-In Thursday by logging in here: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

Remember: your first, second, and even last drafts don't have to be perfect to be worthy of writing. As long as you're trying and you're learning, you're doing a great job. Whether you're brainstorming or looking over a final draft, we're happy to help any step of the way. Book an appointment for undergraduate, Master's, PhD, or International students using this link: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/.

What is our favourite aspect of Halloween? Well, we love a good spelling! Enjoy a great Halloween week, and please don't scare your professors by handing in a first draft!

Though our appointments are booked for the rest of the week, you can join us for drop-in Thursday from 12:004:00! To access drop-in, follow the link below and log in using the same information you use to log into MyLearningSpace. Scroll down to "Waterloo Writing ONLINE Drop-In" and the Zoom link will be in the description! Also keep your eyes open for cancellations. We'll post any available appointments on our Instagram stories and Twitter feed every morning! ... https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

Every reading that we do (yes, even the boring and tedious ones!) teaches us something new. What are you reading for academics or pleasure this weekend?

Strong sentences lead to strong paragraphs, but saying those sentences in the correct order is the next step! Join us for our new workshop, "Structuring an Academic Paragraph" on October 28 or November 3 to learn all about best practices for academic body paragraphs, introductions, and conclusions. Sign up here: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/

The differences between affect and effect are something that can stump even experienced writers! There are a few easy ways to remember which word you should use. To start, think about the acronym RAVEN: Remember, Affect is a Verb and Effect is a Noun! What does that actually mean? Well, an affect is something that is happening, while effect is the result of a change. Effect, as a noun, will also usually have an article in front of it: the, a, an, this, etc. Another way to re...member the difference is to look at the first letter of each word. Affect starts with an A, so it refers to an Action. Effect starts with an E, so it refers to the End result. For example... - Studying abroad had a positive effect on my confidence. - Higher fares will affect the subway's ridership. - This change will specifically affect students in Waterloo. - Changing the methodology had an adverse effect on the results. There are also some key exceptions to this rule. If you're in the humanities, you might be studying affect theory. This is related to emotion, and in the case of the theory, affect is a noun. Effect can also be used as a verb on rare occasions, usually related to a new policy. The easy way to remember the difference here is that effect as a verb means "to create" and affect as a verb means "to change." So, the government effects a new law, and that law affects the way you drive your car.

Your final assignments might seem like they are eons away right now, but remember that our appointments book up incredibly quickly for the end of the semester! Be sure to book early for the best availability, and keep an eye on our social media pages for cancellation notices.

Clarity and concision are two of the most talked about topics during our writing appointments. Whether you're looking to make sure that your paper flows or you're trying to stay within a restrictive word count, we can help you develop strategies to make sure that your writing is as clear and concise as it can be. Book an appointment or sign up for one of our workshops, like "Writing Summaries and Evaluations," using this link: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

If you're a Laurier International - Waterloo Campus undergraduate English Language Learner, we have appointments specifically for you! These appointments happen first thing in the morning Waterloo time, so you can attend even if you're in another time zone. Book your appointment here: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

The Oxford comma is the last comma (a serial comma) in a list of three or more things that are connected with "and" or "or". The Oxford comma is used to help with clarity. For example: I love my parents, Wilfrid Laurier and Ariana Grande. Without the Oxford comma, it could be implied that your parents are Wilfrid Laurier and Ariana Grande! To show that you love three separate, individual things, add the Oxford comma: I love my parents, Wilfrid Laurier, and Ariana Grande. ... An Oxford comma is also one of those things that different style guides can't seem to agree on! Be sure to check your own citation style to make sure that you're using it correctly. Hint: Canadian Press (CP) style does not use the Oxford comma, but the Oxford comma is used by APA, MLA, and Chicago!

Looking for a great read for Fall 2020? One of our writing tutors, Suzanne Carson, has some recommendations for books that will both warm your heart and spook you to your core. Check out her picks on our blog! https://laurierwriting.wordpress.com//suzannes-top-books-/

Welcome back, Golden Hawks! We hope that you had an excellent reading week and are ready for the weeks to come. Remember, whether you're writing your first university essay or your final dissertation, we're here for you every step of the way. You can make an appointment for a one-on-one tutoring appointment or join us for one of our upcoming workshops. Reserve your spot here: https://web.wlu.ca/studentsuccess/portal/index.php

Check out the latest Writing Services blog post by Suzanne Carson: "Suzanne's Top Books for Fall 2020" https://laurierwriting.wordpress.com//suzannes-top-books-/

As you're preparing for the weeks ahead, remember that you're not alone in your university journey. We are one of many resources that can help you, and the vast majority of resources at Laurier are free for students to use. University life can be overwhelming even at the best of times, and the weeks ahead can seem very daunting. Remember to take breaks, do your best, and advocate for yourself in getting the supports you need. We are here for you, and so are so many other departments at the university!

Stationary and stationery are two of those words that are spelt similarly but mean completely different things! Remember, "stationary" means that something is not moving and "stationery" refers to your school supplies (like pens and pencils)!

Meet Miriam Nisonen Oliver, a third-year Music major specializing in Vocal Performance, with a minor in Italian. She loves all kinds of music, but especially likes to sing opera and music theatre. In addition to working as a Writing Tutor, she works as an Instructional Assistant for Intro to Italian. This is her first year working at the Writing Centre, and she's looking forward to helping other students improve their writing and communication skills.