Reading: It Does Get Better!

In partnership with the VCU Writing Center and VCU Libraries, The FILL held the event “Reading: It Gets Better” on Thursday, April 13, which was an incredible success! The panel consisted of a variety of academic professionals and students who engaged in a rich discussion of their individual experiences with reading. Focused Inquiry Professors Courtney Sviatko and Chris Jackson, Teaching and Learning Librarian Jenny Stout and Writing Center Coordinator Jess Rogers shared advice for becoming a more confident reader, along with senior English major and FILL Peer Mentor Katelyn Harlow, with FILL Peer Mentor Venkat Katrapati as moderator. Special thanks to all of our panelists!

It was a great event that emphasized the challenges many face associated with reading, but also gave insight into ways each of us can become stronger, more engaged readers. The session was not recorded, but you can read over the notes compiling the strategies discussed by panelists. Here are a few examples:

When a longer text feels overwhelming, go slow, and take breaks when there are natural breaks or divisions in the text. This can ensure that you retain the information you read, and it keeps the reading more manageable.
Creating a paper outline or timeline of events can help you visualize the important elements or events of a text, as it can present the information in a more concise form of organization.
If you're in a time crunch, research the background information of the text for context, and pay special attention to the introductory and conclusion paragraphs, or the abstract and results, which is where the essential information or message is often located.

Peer Leadership Appreciation Week

Peer Leadership Appreciation Week is finally here! The Peer Leadership Initiative in the Division of Student Affairs has organized this week’s series of events that acknowledge the importance of student-to-student leadership roles and celebrate our dedicated leaders’ contributions. We thank you for all of your hard work, and hope that you can attend these fun events and connect with your peers!

Peer Leadership Initiative. Peer Leader Appreciation Week! Monday, 4/17: Goodie Bag Distribution. Contact your supervisor for more details! Wednesday, 4/19: Peer Leader Pinning Ceremony 5-7 p.m. at Harris Hall Rm 101. Thursday 4/20: Student Leadership Awards, 4-7 p.m. at the Commons Ballroom. Friday, 4/21, PLAW-ty: 1-3 p.m. at Commons Plaza.

In addition to the FILL Peer Mentors and FILL Support Staff in University College, units across campus offer peer leadership opportunities. Consider getting involved! Learn more about the variety here, which includes Residential Assistants, RecWell instructors, Orientation Leaders, Commons Managers, mentors in the Emerging Leaders Program, leaders in the Student Media Center, Peer Tutors in the Campus Learning Center, School of Education Senior Ambassadors and many others!

Peer Leadership Opportunities at VCU

Graphic of two women chatting over coffee. Interested in Becoming a FILL Peer Mentor? Peer Mentors serve as ambassadors for the Focused Inquiry Learning Loung (Harris 5116) by contributing to the design and implementation of resources and programming for University College students. They also hold online/in-person consultations with students to help them with their Focused Inquiry assignments!

Required Qualifications: This is an hourly paid position for students with a Federal Work Study award. Candidates must have taken at least 2 Focused Inquiry courses (UNIV 111, 112, 200, 299, 391) and received at least a grade of a B in each one. For More Information: Visit https://bit.ly/FPMnomint, Email ucfill@vcu.edu, Find us on RamsConnect. VCU University College Focused Inquiry.

When you can’t study outside, consider coming to The FILL (Harris 5116), open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Logo: VCU seal and text: VCU University College Focused Inquiry