Feedback
Our team collects student feedback through a voluntary post-session survey that is automatically delivered via email. In the 2023-2024 academic year, we received 128 survey responses, representing a 228% response increase from the prior year and a 15% response rate overall. General themes and highlights from this survey are captured below as we have thematically and keyword coded them.
STUDENT RATINGS AND LIKELIHOOD TO RETURN
​The overwhelming majority of responses (98%) rated their session as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’. The singular ‘Poor’ rating received was the result of a tutor needing to cancel last minute because of scheduling conflicts.
​​​
Similarly, nearly all (99%) of responses indicated they would return to the Writing Center. This metric is likely supported by our tutors’ practice of encouraging students to return for any other writing they are working on; a follow-up appointment is often scheduled at the end of most sessions.
"Tutors from the Writing Center are truly kind and will never judge anyone [for] their writing style."
- Student survey response
"I love how nice everyone is… they are all very welcoming and concerned with what I need help with. Even if they can’t provide direct assistance they don't turn you away but find ways to work around the issue and still provide help. For someone like me I really appreciate it, thank you."
- Student survey response
"Typing anything is stressful at this school, but coming to the writing center makes it a little bit better."
- Student survey response
"I would definitely recommend the writing center for students who are struggling with writing and formulating their ideas on paper to visit because the writing center is a place/environment where students can be encouraged to allow their writing to be a successful accomplishment."
- Student survey response
QUALITATIVE RESPONSES
Students commonly cited personal qualities of their tutor as the most useful aspect of their session, using words like ‘patient’ (used in 12 responses), ‘helpful’ (used in 10 responses), and ‘nice’ (used in 8 responses).
It’s worth noting that many students also pointed to the quality of their conversations with tutors to unlock certain writing obstacles, which speaks to the effectiveness of our team’s student-centered, non-directive approach. ​
​
In general, student responses expressed their appreciation for having a welcoming, non-judgmental resource like the Writing Center to turn to.
The most common suggestion received for improvement was to offer more sessions. Students asked for more virtual appointment options, for longer sessions, for more walk-in availability, and for fewer session limits (currently, students are limited to making two appointments per week).
"I like coming here because I really get to see my writing get better."
- Student survey response
"It was a great session. I was able to see what I was missing, I learned something and communication was clear and efficient. I'm very grateful I decided to make an appointment. Thanks!"
- Student survey response
"I did my essay based on my professor's instructions, and I thought I [had a] good essay. But when I went to the writing center... I learned that I was doing the same mistake over and over again. Therefore, I was able to see my mistake and how to correct it. I will keep visiting to [keep] improving."
- Student survey response
"The writing center will help me improve my experience in the school. It is a great tool, it [has] given me the confidence that I need to succeed. I will visit it again and again."
- Student survey response