The new essay lab has addressed the need for students to have someone perform a peer review of their essays.
With it taking place in the English Pod, there is also the additional support of teachers who are working in the pod while the peer-to-peer tutoring happens. Students can submit any essay to be reviewed, not just for an English class.
“I know that for me in particular, sometimes I have some trouble writing essays,” sophomore Olivia Wiles said. “It would be nice to have someone that could review them and tell me what I can improve on and what’s good.”
The essay lab is similar in concept to the math and science labs, where students who have questions about assignments or need help can ask a student tutor for their expertise.
Juniors Aria Kutty, Chloe Nguyen and Aidan Mercurio are the students who founded the lab and gathered tutors to assist them with students.
“We started the essay lab to help people hone their writing skills and have easier access to peer editing,” Nguyen said.
Sophomore Alexis Pavin says one of the benefits is the varied teaching style.
“The thing about students explaining it to you is that oftentimes teachers have a different way of teaching things, but the students can explain it in simpler terms,” Pavin said.
While it takes a lot of work off of teachers’ plates, some teachers say they will miss the number of students coming in for help.
“I really like workshopping with students, and I teach that model,” said English teacher Karin Thomas. “What this gives students is an opportunity to work with other students who have a feel for it.”
When it first opened, the week of Jan. 29, the essay lab would begin at the start of Hornet Block and end when class started.
However, due to an inconsistent flow of students coming in during those times, the student editors moved it to the morning breaks from 11:15 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. on days with no advisory and no class meetings.
Later in the year, it is supposed to move back to its original time during Hornet Block as essays become more prevalent within classes.
“I think it’s going to be a really nice addition to the Greenhill community,” Wiles said. “I think it’s going to help a lot with a lot of different people.”
