Tales from a College Writing Center

I gave you an out!! I TRIED TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO DENY IT!

For reals though, one of the hardest things is that the best I can do with racist/sexist/homophobic/otherwise douchebaggy ideas is critique them from an academic or stylistic point of view.

This is college, sweetie. Thank your lucky stars for the 94 and move on with your life.

So many clients follow the five paragraph structure when it's not a good idea to do so. This guy would NOT BUDGE on this. Left with a paper that included a three-page-long paragraph.

He felt he was too good to come in for a session but his prof required it. He sat in moody silence and shot down all my suggestions.
It was totes awk. All writers can use feedback!

This is always just really sad. I've had people in tears when they realize this, but usually together we can restructure what they have into something that at least partially addresses the actual requirements. Definitely a rewarding part of the job.

Consultants at my WC are fully trained and everything- but we just google this shit all the time.

These are the terrifying moments. I didn't even know MLA had formats for stuff like this.

Discussing ideas for money is the absolute best.

If I were a mind reader, I would use it for far more important things than knowing exactly what your professor expects.

I would use it to know exactly what MY professors expect. ;)

This is fine coming from friends and family (a little irksome when scheduling a session would mean I would get paid and they'd have more resources at hand) but it's a huge pain in the ass from acquaintances I barely know.
I don't ask you to do your job for me late at night when I barely know you.

Don't get me wrong though- I absolutely love my job. It's rewarding, engaging, interesting, and empowering. Feel free to ask me any questions- about WC work or writing in general- in the comments :)