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SUPPORT FOR STUDENT WRITERS
PLANNING
A PRODUCTIVE CONFERENCE
Conferences offer valuable one-to-one time for you and your composition
instructor. A successful conference can help you solve writing problems,
encourage you to feel at home in the academic community, help you catch
up on your work, and allow you time to ask in private all the questions
that have been nagging at you in class. However, helpful conferences
do not just "happen."
Keep in mind that a conference works best as a dialogue. Teachers will not know what's on your mind, so you need to be ready to speak when you come to a conference.
Think about your teacher as a resource. If you find any activities or assignments particularly difficult, ask your teacher's advice. Most teachers have encountered all the problems that you are facing and want to help you succeed.
Prepare for your conference ahead of time.
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Write down what you hope to achieve in the conference. Include any questions you have about the course or a particular assignment. Rank your questions in order of importance. Refer to your list during the conference to make sure that your concerns are addressed.
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If your conference concerns a particular assignment, such as a the draft of a paper, read over the draft and note your concerns about the paper.
If your teacher explains a point too quickly, ask for clarification. The best time for you to make clear a comment or expectation is while you are conferencing with your teacher.
If you think you need another conference, feel free to request one.
NOTE: If you make an appointment for a conference and cannot keep it, notify your teacher as soon before the appointment time as possible. Composition teachers often make special efforts to come to campus just to meet with students. A missed appointment can infringe on their busy schedules.