Mariana Torres
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I have always been greatly interested in the minds of the people around me. As a psychology student, I explore the subject in classes and labs. However, working at the writing center has also given me an unexpected opportunity to learn about others through their writing and brainstorming processes. For these reasons, my favorite assignments to work with during sessions are personal essays and APA research papers. On the one hand, each personal essay is unique, showing writers’ different perspectives and stories, which lead me to expand my views. In contrast, research papers have a rigid format that’s like a puzzle we must piece together. I like working on these papers because there are rules to follow, and formatting guidelines are like pre-made outlines.
Outside of school, I enjoy playing the violin and reading. Few things are as therapeutic for me as performing pieces ranging from Bach’s baroque harmonies to Stravinsky’s modernist ballets. Along the same lines, reading allows me to take a break and get lost in someone else’s world. My current favorite author is Sally Rooney, whose character-driven stories explore interpersonal relationships and personal identity in a way that deeply connects with me.
Lastly, my advice to struggling writers is something that always helps me–a reminder that the important thing is getting something on the page. I often tell myself to just sit and commit to writing even a few sentences; all I need to get started is to be in the right mindset. Moreover, as a tutor, I see first-hand how helpful brainstorming can be and would highly recommend visiting the UWC to start putting those thoughts into writing. Personally, I love helping writers at any point in the process and seeing ideas flourish into completed pieces!