FAQs

Location/Hours:

What time does the Writing Lab open and when does it close?

The Writing Lab working hours are: Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Are you open during the holidays (Eid Adha/Eid Fitr, Spring vacation, between semester break etc.)?

No, the Writing Lab is closed during the holiday period.

Do you open in summer?

Depending on the demands or needs of students, we may have one or two peer tutors working during the summer period. We usually announce if we have peer tutors available and we specify the time and location.

Where are the Arabic and English Writing Labs located?

Female (Arabic and English) Writing Lab: Faculty Office Building
Male (Arabic and English) Writing Lab: Faculty Office Building.

Appointments/Sessions:

How can I make an appointment?

To make an appointment online, go to our appointment system and sign-in with your username and password. Alternatively, you can drop-in and see if someone is free to work with you.

I can’t come to my appointment; how do I cancel?

Send us an email and specify what appointment (time/date) you would like to cancel. Alternatively, you could reply to the confirmation email you received and ask to cancel your appointment.

How many sessions can I take per day And how long is each session?

You can only take one session per day. Each session is half an hour long.

If my friend and I are working on the same paper, can we attend a session together?

You may attend the session together; however, half an hour is not enough to go over the entire paper. So, it is preferable that each of you individually book separate sessions to work on a section of your paper with a Writing Specialist or peer tutor.

When making an appointment, do I need to select my course number from the drop-down menu and write my major?

Yes, please enter both these pieces of information as the peer tutors/writing specialists require them for their records and they also save time in the session.

Policies:

I received a first warning email; what does it mean?

At the section, we developed a warning system for students who miss sessions. The rules are:

If you miss your first appointment, without cancelling in advance, you will be considered a "no show".
If you miss a second appointment, without canceling in advance, you will receive the first warning.
If you miss a third appointment, without canceling in advance, you will receive the second warning; and you will not be allowed to make an appointment with the Writing Lab for one month.
If you miss a fourth appointment, you will receive the final warning; and you will not be allowed to make an appointment with the Writing Lab for an entire semester.

Can I bring plagiarized work / google-translated essays to be worked on in the Writing Lab?

No, as this is not YOUR work, it cannot be reviewed or revised.

What is “no show”?

We indicate that students are a “no show” when they do not show up to their scheduled appointment and do not ask to cancel it.

I booked a session but selected the wrong time, so I booked another one instead. What happens to the double sessions?

We do not allow students to book double-sessions, so we usually cancel the second session. However, if you booked the first appointment by mistake, send us an email as soon as possible, requesting to cancel it so that you avoid having your second session deleted.

Can I bring my computer or download my assignment from a USB to work on it with a specialist/peer tutor?

No, you must bring a hard copy if you wish to work with the specialists and peer tutors as it is easier for them to provide you with feedback.

My friend booked an appointment but can’t make it; can I come to his/her appointment instead to help him/her out?

No, that is definitely not allowed. If your friend cannot make it to his/her appointment, he/she will have to send an email to cancel it and then book another time that is suitable for him/her.

I booked an appointment for my friend using my email address, but we put her/his name; is that okay?

No, your friend must use his/her own email address to make a booking because if he/she doesn’t show up and doesn’t cancel in advance, you might be marked as a “no show” and receive a warning instead.

Workshops:

Do I need to register for workshops held in the Writing Lab?

No registration is required; attendance is open to all.

Can I download PowerPoints of workshops from the section website ?

Yes, these PowerPoints are uploaded to our site and available for downloading.

How can I find out about upcoming workshops?

Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with news about our latest workshops/events. Alternatively, you could keep checking our website for workshop schedules or upcoming events.

Tutors/Specialists:

Who are the peer tutors?

The peer tutors are students who have high G.P.As as well as high grades in English and/or Arabic and receive rigorous training before they can tutor. They are also students who may have already taken the subjects that they are tutoring (especially English Foundation/PF courses).

Who are the Writing Specialists?

The Arabic and English Writing Specialists are highly qualified and experienced academic staff or faculty who are native speakers or have advanced degrees.

Can I become a peer tutor?

If you want to become a peer tutor you must have a G.P.A of at least 3.0 and a minimum grade of B+ for the specific subject you want to tutor. You must also go through an interview and pass an argumentative essay exam before you can become a peer tutor.

Services:

Can the Section of Writing and Language Support help me improve my reading and grammar skills?

Yes. In addition to writing, the Section of Writing Support and Language can also help you with reading, speaking, listening, and grammar skills.

What can I do if I am not satisfied with the services of the Writing Lab?

You can write your suggestions on a piece of paper and hand it in to the Writing Support Facilitator, who will in turn pass over your comments/suggestions to the Section Head of Writing Support.