Writing Studio to Help Graduate Students Get Out of Their Heads and Into Writing

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Graduate student Zach Tipton, right, meets with his accountability partner and writing consultant Eden Shulman, left.

Are you in charge of your writing, or is your writing in charge of you? That's the question the university's Writing Studio team is asking graduate students across campus. And for those scholars who feel that their writing is taking charge of them, the Beat the Block Accountability Writing Program seeks to turn the tables so they can take charge of their writing.

As graduate students enter the thesis and dissertating stage of their programs, many find it challenging to navigate a new world of high-stakes, low-structure writing. And this isn't unique to students at the University of Arkansas. Writing Studio staffers Dana Blair and Michel LaCrue discovered through their research that the high-stakes, low-structure environment of thesis, dissertation, and article writing is a universal problem causing anxiety for many graduate students and young professionals in academia.

For some graduate students, this lack of accountability can derail them from their plans of finishing their capstone projects on time. For others, these anxieties prevent them from ever completing their projects, resulting in departure from their programs and lower program retention rates.

Some graduate students try to be proactive about building accountability into their writing plans by seeking appointments with their project advisors. But with varying schedules that don't always coincide and advisors already stretched thin and overbooked, these good intentions often fall flat.

Motivated to seek solutions to these challenges, Blair and LaCrue set out to create a program to support writers that is informed by cognitive behavioral research. They also wanted to build in the accountability that many graduate students say they want and need while also helping to boost program retention and graduation.

During the summer of 2022, Blair and LaCrue held Get Out of Your Head and Into Writing, a workshop in which they discussed how to set up a system for writing to break bad habits, build new habits, and sustain writing for the long run. They also offered optional follow-up writing accountability groups throughout the summer. The attendance and response were remarkable, indicating there is a need to continue the program into future semesters.

"We were pleasantly surprised by the attendance at this summer's workshop, which boasted the highest attendance we've ever had at an event offered by the Writing Studio," said Blair, Writing Studio coordinator. "The feedback we received from our summer participants is encouraging, with students sharing that they are now excited to write, which is helping them make substantial progress on their capstone projects and, in many cases, beating project deadlines."

Both students and writing consultants participating in the summer accountability program offered positive feedback.

Juanita Gil Bedoya, a graduate student writer participating in the program, said, "I've learned about strategies to write more efficiently and got to know myself better regarding writing and setting up goals and expectations. I liked that I could talk about my struggles and that we all learned from each other and supported each other."

"Being able to help a student set goals and work together to achieve them has been very fulfilling compared to more traditional "one and done" appointments," noted Jack Arbuckle, a graduate writing consultant.

Building off these summer successes, the Writing Studio will pilot its Beat the Block Accountability Writing Program with graduate students this fall. The program will consist of a kick-off informational workshop, and those deciding to participate will get to choose their support structure for the duration of the four-month program. Support includes accountability partners, coaching groups, and weekly write-ins at the Writing Studio in the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence.

When a student opts into the program, Writing Studio staff will help match them with accountability groups and writing consultants based on a number of preferences collected through an intake form, including personality and schedules to facilitate the most productive and positive experience for each participant. The program will last four months, aiming to build the necessary self-efficacy students need to complete their capstone projects on time. For students who want continued support beyond the initial four months, the Writing Studio will work with them to build the support network they need.

Workshop on Writing Systems

On Thursday and Friday, Sept. 8-9, from 3-4 p.m. in the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence, room 349, the Writing Studio will conduct a workshop to discuss how to set up a system for writing that will help writers break bad habits, build new habits, and sustain writing for the long run. Those interested in learning more about the Beat the Block Accountability Writing Program are invited to stay after from 4-4:30 p.m. to learn more about the program. Those interested in signing up for the accountability program are required to attend. Graduate students interested in participating but who cannot attend should contact the Writing Studio.

To register for the workshop, fill out this form. To sign up for the Writing Studio newsletter and receive monthly updates on upcoming events and helpful writing tips, sign up here.