Despite the existing assumptions about tutoring, I don’t “fix” student writing. I don’t proofread text or explain what it takes to get a better grade. I don’t start from a deficit approach, but rather, I listen to writers’ concerns and accompany them through their academic journey with a non-evaluative and mindful approach. I listen to writers’ voices and goals; I’m their audience. Often, students criticize themselves as if they don’t belong to their fields, especially after receiving discouraging grades or harsh feedback, so I remind them to focus on what they have already accomplished, rather than what they have yet to achieve. By focusing on the present and what students write, say, and want from their writing, I holistically support their growth as writers and their well-being within an academic environment.
