Julian Arrington, Mechanical Engineer, Writing Tutor

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a second semester Freshman who is pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering. I am a very quiet person by nature, but tend to become more comfortable as I am conversating with someone. I'm one of 4 children, and I also have a twin brother that attends Towson University.  Most of my free time is spent listening to music or researching fashion. I also currently own an online clothing shop on Instagram. 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I commute so its harder to stay involved with campus life while trying to keep up my grades. I attend Black Student Union meetings on Mondays. I'm also in the process of applying for Resident Assistant and Mechanical Assistant to develop a more crucial role within the community of UMBC.

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

I was enrolled in English 100 in the summer session before my first semester. Our first assignment was a personal essay reflecting on past experiences that impacted my thinking about writing. I put a lot of energy into this essay, and I felt like the assignment revealed skills in writing that I didn't realize I had. Fortunately, Professor MacDougall noticed and suggested that I help in the Writing Center. I accepted the job mainly because I already enjoyed assisting my classmates with their assignments. It felt like a good fit for me that I could have never imagined.

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

My favorite aspect of tutoring is watching a student grow within a session. Students often times come in with an unclear understanding of the assignment before the session. My job is to serve as a catalyst for the student to think about the assignment in different ways than before. When that lightbulb in their mind goes off, the student often times takes control and has a greater sense of direction. Hopefully after leaving the student now has more confidence and a different attitude about writing.

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

I think tutoring is a great opportunity to have a conversation about your own thoughts within an assignment. The Writing Center encompasses people from completely different walks of life. Our diversity in lifestyle usually correlates to a difference in thought processes, values, etc. A conversation with a writing tutor can give perspective into ideas that the student didn't consider before hand. 

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session? 

Although it is completely acceptable to book an appointment without any written work, I would suggest the student have at least ideas about the assignment. This helps the writing tutor gauge the direction the student is thinking about. If we can see your initial brainstorming, we'll be better equipped to help steer your ideas into creating the foundation of the assignment.

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

I work on 5-6:30 on Mondays and 10-1 on Tuesdays. Make sure to stop in any time we'd love to help!

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