Lena Levey

Lena is a senior majoring in religious studies and minoring in writing and Spanish. She grew up in London and Washington D.C. Outside of The Writing Center, she volunteers at Planned Parenthood and conducts independent research on portrayals of biblical narratives in modern literature. In her spare time, she loves to cook elaborate meals for her friends, write short stories, and struggle through the Sunday crossword.

What brought you to The Writing Center?

Every time that I have gone to The Writing Center for my own work, I have found it to be very helpful.  I applied to be a peer tutor because I wanted to help provide this experience to other students at WashU. 

What do you like most about working with writers in The Writing Center?

I love helping students brainstorm! This process teaches me so much about topics that I haven’t had a chance to learn about in my classes, and allows the students to organize their ideas over the course of the conversation. In my experience writing essays, figuring out the big ideas alleviates a lot of stress.  I always find it really rewarding when I can help facilitate a productive brainstorming session!

What do you find most challenging about writing?

I really struggle with revising my work. Once I feel as though I understand my ideas, I have a hard time discerning what might not be clear to other people, which is why I like to have someone read through my drafts and give me a fresh perspective. 

What advice do you have for writers?

If you feel stuck, don’t be afraid to take a step back and talk through ideas. When I am brainstorming, I freeze up if I have to type out my thoughts, so I always ask a friend (or a Writing Center tutor) to help me transcribe while I think aloud.