Category: Post

A little squeal of delight went up from a woman at the check-in desk for the fall CEHD Writer’s Retreat.  This was unusual not only because it was barely 8 am on a Saturday morning, but because graduate students generally don’t squeal.  In this case, the outburst was followed by a cry of, “I thought I was the only one!” as she scanned the names of fellow PhD students who also signed up to spend the day focused on writing.

The common misconception among students that they are the only one “in the struggle” with the breadth and volume of writing encompassed in earning a graduate degree is one important reason the Office of Student and Academic Affairs (SAA) organizes a Writer’s Retreat once each semester.  The retreat aims to provide a comfortable space where writers can set aside time to commit to their work away from distractions of home life, cellphones, and the thousand other things that make it so easy to procrastinate.  To that end, the twenty-nine doctoral and master’s students began the day by setting goals for themselves and agreeing to hold themselves and each other accountable. They wrote those goals in magic marker on big sheets of paper and taped them to the walls by their workstations to serve as a constant reminder during the retreat.  Rather than being intimidated or embarrassed to show their peers their unfinished workload or admit their struggles, most students found it liberating, cheering each other on as each task was crossed off the goal sheets.  “Writing is obviously important in graduate school, but so is community,” said Brandon Quiles, SAA Student Engagement Coordinator and event organizer, “Establishing a sense of community where everyone relates to some degree how each other feels about being a graduate student, creates this atmosphere of support and productivity that the students enjoy and need. “

While most of the day was dedicated to blocks of writing time, there were other resources offered to the writers.  The CEHD librarian, Anne Melville, led a workshop on navigating databases and stayed afterward to work one-on-one with students needing help finding research. Indigo Eriksen and Madeline Graham from The Writing Center held appointments with individual students, assisting with everything from simple proofreading to organizing literature reviews and portfolios.  Students chose from an assortment of work areas on the third floor of the Johnson Center, including lobby lounges, a designated quiet classroom, and a collaborative classroom with snacks and coffee to refuel throughout the day before gathering once more at the end of the day to revisit goals and assess their progress.  

Overall, the writers gave the day high marks and expressed interest in participating again in the spring.  One participant commented, “Having time dedicated to writing with no distractions from home [was the most valuable part].  It was helpful to have other students around to know that what I’m going through is a shared experience.”

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Identifying a safe and inviting space to share fellowship, read, write, and be inspired by others is critical to being a successful student.

As an alumnus of the University of Illinois (PhD, 2014; MA, 2008), I’m often contacted by the University of Illinois Foundation to participate in a giving campaign or by the Graduate College to serve on an alumni panel or take a survey about my experiences at Illinois and beyond. Recently, I was contacted by the Editor of the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette, the local daily newspaper, to participate in a project celebrating 150 years of the University. Select alumni are being asked to share a specific spot on campus that comes to mind when they recall their days at Illinois. Responses will be featured in a special edition of the newspaper. I was hoping to be creative in my response and identify a spot that would resonate with the readers. In reflecting, I kept being drawn to the designated office space for teaching assistants in the Educational Policy Studies doctoral program, a spot unknown to the average student on campus or reader of the news Gazette. Here’s what I wrote in response to the editor’s prompt:

“Room 372 Education Building, formerly the Educational Policy Studies TA Office”

It was in this space where a group of PhD students of color, affectionately known as “The Village”, gathered at all hours of the day and night to support one another on the journey to the doctorate. 

It was in this space where we witnessed the academic grind and received words of wisdom from our faculty, advanced doctoral students, alumni, and each other. 

It was in this space where we grooved to the latest music blasting through our earbuds, while trying to write the perfect sentence.

It was in this space where we birthed conference papers, dissertations, cover letters, and greatness. 

It was in this space where a group of emerging scholars from different parts of the U.S. were brought together to choose community over competition and become lifelong friends…chosen family…The Village. 

This space is sacred.

I share this response for two main reasons that I hope resonate with you, especially those of you who are graduate students.

First, identifying a safe and inviting space to share fellowship, read, write, and be inspired by others is critical to being a successful student. Graduate school, in particular, is often characterized by students as an isolating or alienating experience. It is true that there are times when you’re going to need to “get ghost” to minimize distractions and be your most productive self. However, “schooling” goes well beyond taking classes, studying for exams, and writing papers. And honestly, it gets old and routine and some days you have to “dig deep” to muster up the energy to persist, especially when you’re broke and feeling broken. We need others to inspire us, “coach us up,” “charge us up,” and hold us accountable to achieving our goals. I received just that in Room 372. 

Second, we can all eat! Too often, students choose competition over community while in graduate school. The Village taught me that I could be my most competitive self while doing my part to contribute to the wholeness, well-being, and development of the Village. We believed that we didn’t have to tear one another down to shine and score some wins. We celebrated job offers even when we were in the same hiring pool. We edited each other’s fellowship applications and conference proposals even when we were applying to the same fellowships and conferences, respectively. The Village concept helped us to think beyond self. We believed that if one person in the Village was “winning,” we were all winning. Our families were winning. Our communities were winning. The Village concept kept us grounded and connected.

The African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I’ll add, “It takes a village to raise a scholar, too!” Thus, as you continue to go forth in your academic studies, I encourage you to think about the space(s) you frequent to receive inspiration and accountability. Additionally, I encourage you to think about the ways in which you have benefited from, contributed to, and withheld from your village. Make those spaces sacred. Protect your village.