Summer Graduate Student Writing Retreat Begins Monday

06/23/2023

University Writing Services is offering a free writing retreat open to all graduate students during the summer. It will occur on Monday, June 26, and Tuesday, June 27. Both sessions will run from 10 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Participants can drop in anytime.

The retreat is intended for any graduate student looking to make actual progress towards the completion of their seminar paper, conference paper, thesis, dissertation, publication, and/or fellowship application. 

Participants can attend the retreat in-person (at the Student Success Center located inside the Busch Student Center, suite 331 on the North campus) and/or virtually through Zoom. 

Participants are invited to write in a quiet, structured environment alongside other scholars.

One of the retreat’s primary objectives is to increase graduate students' writing accountability and productivity, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities. The facilitator will lead different timed writing activities and provide content aimed to deconstruct large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks while simultaneously cultivating strong, disciplined writing habits. 

Participants will essentially learn new motivational strategies to combat procrastination. This is particularly helpful for graduate students who are either behind on their current project or who want to maximize their break and get ahead. 

Summer Perks: The facilitator will share different “resources” (e.g. quick tips about conducting research and writing, the names of different mobile apps which boosts productivity, a list of recommended places to write off-campus for a change of scenery) during each scheduled break on both days of the retreat.

There will be a combined total of 15 resources. There will also be a guest lecturer, Troy Kozak, Ed.D., who will facilitate a presentation (about the science of well-being and how it affects focus and the writing process) at the end of the first day of the retreat.

Light snacks will be provided throughout the day. Lunch is not included. 

To register, fill out the following Google Form.

RSVP early because the first 15 registrants will have the opportunity to schedule a 1-on-1 appointment and receive feedback on their current project from an experienced writing consultant during the retreat. This feedback will be delivered either in-person, asynchronously, or via Zoom depending on the registrant’s preferred modality. 

Contact writing@slu.edu with any questions.