Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment?

Appointments made in advance are recommended, although walk-in appointments are possible if a tutor is available. Appointments can be scheduled over the phone (513-745-2875) or in person and are most productive if set for several days before the piece of writing is due. Each tutoring session can last up to 50 minutes. All appointments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday are scheduled on the hour (beginning at 9:00 a.m.) ; on Tuesday and Thursday, appointments are scheduled on the half hour (beginning at 9:30 a.m.). Tutoring sessions on Sunday begin at the top of the hour (beginning at 1:00 p.m.). .This variation in the schedule is to allow our student staff to integrate their tutoring work around their own class schedules.

Please provide at least twenty-four hour notification when canceling appointments.

What types of appointments are available?

The Writing Center offers in-person, Teams, or email appointments. In-person appointments are best for writing in the earlier stages and/or times you would like to have a tutoring conversation. Teams appointments are the virtual alternative to in-person appointments. Teams appointments are best for times you are unable to physically make it in to the Writing Center, but would still like to have a tutoring conversation. Email appointments are best for a rough or final draft. Simply email the Writing Center your document before your appointment time, and you tutor will provide comments on the document before emailing it back. 

How far in advance should I schedule my session?

Tutorial sessions are most productive when the writer comes to the Center at least a few days before an assignment is due. If you come in only an hour before a paper is due, or even the night before, you may limit the kind of assistance a tutor can offer. Rest assured, though, tutors will always do their best to help you produce your best quality work.

How many tutoring sessions can I receive?

In order to serve the entire Xavier community, we ask that tutoring sessions for any person are limited to one per day and three per week.

What should I bring?

Your tutoring session will be most productive if you come prepared! This starts with bringing the details of the assignment, the title of the course and the name of your professor. You will also want to have the necessary texts, notes, drafts, assignment handouts and--most importantly--your specific questions for the tutor.

What should I expect?

• Expect that you will have up to 50 minutes with your tutor. 
• Before meeting with a tutor for a second visit on the same assignment, we hope that you will make independent progress on your writing project.
• Expect tutors to make suggestions and to offer advice about how you might improve your writing, but do not expect them to estimate the grade your writing will receive. We offer feedback and advice, but only you can decide what changes you will make to your writing project.
• Please do not expect tutors to proofread your papers for errors; that is your job. Our job is to help you to learn strategies for editing your own work.

What should I do after the session?

Apply all the strategies you have learned to improve your next assignment!