Fall Break Graduate Student Writing Retreat Begins October 27
10/13/2022
University Writing Services is offering a free writing retreat open to all graduate students during fall break. It will take place Thursday, Oct. 27, through Friday, Oct. 28.
Both sessions will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can drop in anytime.
The retreat is intended for any graduate student looking to make progress towards the completion of their seminar paper, conference paper, thesis, dissertation, publication, and/or fellowship application.
Participants can attend the retreat in-person (at the Student Success Center located inside the Busch Student Center room 331 on the North campus) and/or virtually through Zoom.
Visitors are invited to come and write in a quiet, structured environment alongside other scholars.
One of the retreat’s primary objectives is to increase graduate students' writing accountability and productivity, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities. The facilitator will lead different timed writing activities and provide content aimed to deconstruct large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks while simultaneously cultivating strong, disciplined writing habits.
Participants will essentially learn new motivational strategies to combat procrastination during a university holiday. This is particularly helpful for graduate students who are either behind on their current project or who want to maximize their break and get ahead.
There will be a guest lecturer, Elena Farel, Ph.D., who will provide additional content during each day of the retreat. She will focus on the process of revision with a particular emphasis on incorporating peer and mentor feedback (how to agree, disagree, and make concessions even when committee members have opposing viewpoints). This will hopefully incentivize graduate students to push through their writer’s block, frustration with their committees, and/or general exhaustion in order to continue making progress on their project by attending as much of the retreat as possible.
Light snacks will be provided throughout the day. Lunch is not included.
To register, fill out the following Google Form.
RSVP early because the first 15 registrants will have the opportunity to schedule a 1-on-1 appointment and receive feedback on their current project from an experienced writing consultant during the retreat. This feedback will be delivered either in-person, asynchronously, or via Zoom depending on the registrant’s preferred modality.
Contact writing@slu.edu with any questions.