by Izzy Jurek

Service Learning through the writing center has taught me a lot. I’ve grown so much as a writer, just through this class, and having the ability to tutor children at Asheville High School. Seeing how the kids process what they’re writing and learning to fix their mistakes reminds me of myself and how I was just there not even a year ago. It also fills me with pride being able to teach them something they’ve never learned before (or something they’d simply just forgotten).

One of the things I will remember for a long time, is helping this girl work on one of her essays for college. There wasn’t much for me to fix, she was pretty brilliant, but there were a few grammar mistakes here and there. At the end of our session, she felt content with what she had written and was ready to finish and submit her college application. While in the session, I felt like I was just doing my job or responsibility as a tutor, but afterwards I felt a sense of pride. In myself and her. While I didn’t do much other than help her with grammar, she felt that after the session she was ready to complete her application. It felt pretty good to know I helped her out with that.My favorite takeaway from this experience, is being able to help people who need it.

Once out of college, I would like to be a psychiatrist. During Covid quarantine, I wasn’t able to talk or connect with people much, and I felt like I was losing my abilities to help those in need. However, this experience has helped me get back in touch with my, “helper,” skills. And I’ve even considered applying for a job at the writing center after this!