by Austin Becker

As the semester comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the experiences I’ve had over the past few months in the WIP Program. I realize that I have come a long way in this program, but so have some of the students in the two classes that I served as a TA for. I can think of two students in particular, one from each class, both of whom I had written off early in the semester as students who didn’t seem to care. However, in both cases, I was proven wrong, and I am glad to say it!

The exact circumstances that led to a turnaround in their efforts are not fully known to me, but that’s not what’s important. What matters is that at some point in the semester, each of these students made a decision that they weren’t just going to coast through the class; they were going to do their best in every aspect of the class, including the writing assignments.

As a result, each student became my most frequent visitor from their respective classes, far more than was required. These students were sending me e-mails, catching me before or after class, and visiting my office frequently to seek help and advice in how to improve the quality and content of their writing, as well as the focus and structure of their specific writing assignments.

I especially remember helping one of them to more accurately phrase a particular point. Once I explained why this was a more correct way to phrase what the student was trying to express, their face lit up and they said, “Oh! Right! I remember reading about that and discussing it in class. That makes sense!” It felt great to see them connect the dots and to know I’d been a guide who helped them get there. With a greater understanding of why certain terms were more or less accurate, their ability to discuss the subject matter improved in the revision.

They were so persistent in seeking my input that they each became apologetic. It felt good to be able to say, “There’s no need for apology. This is what I’m here for. I’m happy to help in any way I can. Feel free to e-mail me your latest revision when it’s done, and I’ll give you some more feedback.” They both would express gratitude at my willingness to help. Both seemed genuinely excited by the opportunity to improve their writing.

This is not to say that other students didn’t make use of the opportunities to receive coaching from me. I had the chance to help many students from both classes. But these two students in particular have left a marked imprint on the experience. They’ve reminded me to never judge a book by its cover and not to write someone off as a lost cause so early in the semester. Sometimes all that’s needed is the right motivation, and a student who previously didn’t seem to care will demonstrate just how enthusiastically they can pursue the goals that have been placed before them. I can honestly say that I am glad these two students proved my initial assessments wrong, and it has been my pleasure to help them and watch their writing improve.