UNB Saint John’s Writing Centre is a resource on campus designed to aid students with anything relating to academic writing. Historically, that has mainly included essays, scholarship applications, and resumes; more recently, they have opened the doors to help with infographics, presentations, and other more visual forms of writing. As James McClure, a consultant at the Writing Centre, puts it, “if there’s a written component to a project, [the Writing Centre] can help.” Any service that the Writing Centre provides is free for all UNB students.

UNB Art Centre/Website

You can go to the Writing Centre with an outline, draft, or finished piece — they will provide help at every step. According to their page on the UNB SharePoint, the Writing Centre is there to “provide detailed feedback on the effectiveness of your writing and your organization of material.” Whether you need someone to give your essay a last once-over or help with writing your thesis statement, the Writing Centre is there for you during each part of the writing process. Jan Waldschutz, a consultant at the Writing Centre, states that their approach is to “help students where they are — where they are in the writing process and where they are in terms of skill level.” However, keep in mind that they book up quick, so it’s better to book an appointment in advance. Jan goes on to say that it is always worth it to have someone review your work — “Even best-selling authors have editors!” 

They don’t just help with writing, though. The Writing Centre’s services can also help out with different study habits such as time management or proper study techniques. As an academic coach, James McClure has a lot of experience with these strategies. He states that in these academic coaching sessions, students often learn “accountability, [how to] adapt learning strategies to suit their strengths and challenges, or to understand the ‘hidden curriculum’ in university.” He goes on to explain that he finds that high school is preparing students less and less for university, and so he tends to work mainly with early-year university students; however, like the other services provided by the Writing Centre, these academic coaching sessions are available for free to all UNB students. 

In the wake of this busy midterm season, the Writing Centre staff have provided some writing tips for everyone swamped with assignments. Jan says that “the first step for any assignment is to really understand the instructions and how the writing will be evaluated.” Make sure you comprehend what’s being asked of you before you even start to write; this is much easier than having to scrap your writing because it is not relevant. She also encourages outlines, stating that while many students tend to skip this step, “taking a few minutes to plan out a rough framework for one’s writing really helps.” Isabelle Fleming, a peer tutor working at the Writing Centre, suggests you “break up your assignment into manageable steps and […] start early.” This helps you to avoid overwhelming yourself. She also says to work with yourself, making sure to “schedule your work sessions for the length that works for you and take breaks in between.” The common theme between all of the feedback from the Writing Centre is to stay organized and on top of your work. 

You can find the Writing Centre in the Hans W. Klohn Commons (UNB/Website)

There are a few different ways to get more involved with the Writing Centre and its different programs. Students with a B+ or higher in a course can apply to the campus’ tutor inventory. Tutors can choose their own pay rates and schedules, so it is a very flexible position for students. Alternatively, students looking to be tutored in different subjects can look through the inventory here. The Writing Centre will also occasionally employ students through the campus’ work-study program, so make sure to keep an eye out for available positions in the future. 

Looking to book an appointment with the Writing Centre? Here’s how. Find their services on the MyUNB Sharepoint under Services & Information for Students → Students Affairs & Services → Writing Centres. You can book up to two weeks in advance, so start looking for the appointment time that works best for you!