The beginning of summer means rest and relaxation for a lot of students. For graduate students, however, it means completing the most important part of their college career.
Twenty graduates working on the writing portion of their theses or dissertations will get the opportunity to work with writing consultants, communicate with peers and have structured writing time for three straight days during this summer's WriteFest Bootcamp.
WriteFest Bootcamp is a three-day event starting June 22 and will be hosted by the Miller Writing Center and organized by James Truman, assistant director of university writing.
According to Truman, WriteFest was created to give support in setting goals for writing and then give structured time to get it done. Any graduate student with a writing project can sign up.
“We want to work with all students, all writers," Truman said. "It doesn’t matter what kind of major or what kind of writing project you’re working on as long as it’s something that will be served by having that structured time."
Graduates who wish to apply need a writing project and confirmation from a faculty advisor or mentor. The three-day event is free, but students will pay a $30 fee if they fail to attend after being accepted.
"It’s like a rudeness fee,” Truman said.
A normal day at the bootcamp will start with students arriving at the College of Veterinary Medicine, the location of the bootcamp for the last three years, where they will be served breakfast and a lot of coffee, according to Truman.
All the food provided at WriteFest is free of charge to the students involved and any dietary needs will be dealt with accordingly.
After their meal, the students will have a 20-minute goal-setting activity.
“This is to set goals that are actually tangible and measurable," Truman said. "Having measurable goals is how you know you’ve achieved things."
Following that, students will find an area to set up their writing nest and work until lunch, all while being able to ask for help from the writing consultants on call if they hit any snags.
Either a workshop on grad-related topics such as grant writing or a wellness activity led by campus recreation will be held after lunch and then students get back to work until the final debriefing is held at the end of the day.
There are no requirements for the three days, and whether students meet their goals is on them, their conscience and their director, Truman said.
The end of the final day acts as a celebration for the students.
“You have accomplished a lot in the time so feel awesome about yourself,” Truman said.
At the time this article is being written all 20 spots for the bootcamp are filled, but there is a waitlist for students still interested.
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