As I reflect on the tutoring process so far and what my students are going through, I realize that we are at a point in the semester when we are all a little more tired, a little more frustrated and a little more easily discouraged.
One of my students just got a paper back that she got a C+ on. The good news about it is that she can do a rewrite that will average into that grade. The bad news is that she is extremely frustrated with the amount of work she put into it and the result that came back. I understand her feelings completely, and in going through the paper with her, it's difficult when a lot of the errors are stylistic differences, and even I have to struggle to cater to her instructor's preferences. Also, it's just my opinion, but it seems like the instructor let mechanical errors get in the way of a fair assessment of the other categories she was grading her on. I am doing my best to remain available and encouraging about a positive rewrite and growing from here. Part of the lesson is that writing is definitely subjectively good or bad (sometimes), but we need to cater to our audience, whoever that may be.
My second student is undergoing significant personal struggles that I cannot even begin to conceive. Once again, my focus has been to stress the importance of her own personal wellness (on every level) and that assignments/school are secondary. I let her know I am here for her whether it be writing-related or not, and I am hoping she is doing better since the last time we touched base.
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