From the Student's Desk: What Writing Slowly Taught Me About Teaching

 Thinking back to last week LIT 102 class, I was reminded what it feels like to be a student again. Our lecturer asked us to do something simple yet profound: select a topic and write a descriptive piece by following the writing process in forty minutes. No shortcuts, no rushed drafts just the quiet, sometimes messy, journey from idea to finished product.

As I worked through each stage, I couldn’t help but think back to my past classroom, when I often hurried my students to finish their writing pieces within a single lesson. Operating under the tyranny of the clock. I had units to cover, deadlines to meet, and a finished product to grade. I now realize that by doing so, I was unintentionally limiting my student's creativity and depth of expression. 

Writing isn’t about producing a perfect final piece it’s about giving students the space to explore ideas, make mistakes, and refine their thoughts. Each stage had a purpose: brainstorming helped me find my voice, revising taught me to refine my ideas, and editing reminded me of the importance of clarity. Listening to my colleagues share their pieces in class also helped me appreciate how different writers can bring unique perspectives to the same task. This is the experience I want to give to my students.

Now I know better, I intend to do better. So, in my future teaching, I want to create an environment where students can move through the writing process at their own pace, enjoying each step without feeling rushed. Even if we only complete part of the process in one lesson, I want them to experience the satisfaction of growing as writers. This experience reminded me that when we slow down and let students find their rhythm, their writing and confidence truly blossoms.