The Importance of College Creative Writing Classes

By Megan Tucker

Pikes Peak State College

(Colorado Springs, CO)

Megan Tucker

Enrolling in a creative writing class during college has proven invaluable in developing essential life skills. Through this experience, I have learned to effectively manage stress amidst the demands of other classes and daily life, expanded my vocabulary and honed my grammar skills, gained confidence in expressing myself through writing, cultivated empathy and understanding for others, and unleashed the power of my imagination. Creative writing classes hold immense significance for college students. They serve as a platform for channeling creativity, imparting crucial life lessons, and fostering self-assurance in my ideas and writing abilities. These classes provide the space for everyone to share their thoughts and feelings, encouraging the free flow of words and ideas. 

I am enrolled in my second creative writing class at Pikes Peak State College. I took Creative Writing One last semester, and my confidence grew tremendously as a writer. The warm feedback and helpful suggestions I received from my professor and peers were beneficial in helping me grow as a writer. It boosted my confidence so much that I created a Word document of every writing assignment, followed by the feedback. I did this so that whenever I doubted myself, I could go back and look at what I wrote and the excellent encouragement others gave me. For example, the first two prompts assigned to me in creative writing one was a prompt about what writing is to me and a prompt about someone being chased. At the time, sharing my writing for the first time was very intimidating, but I did the work, and I shared my writing, and my classmates shared warm feedback such as Jennifer Mills saying, “Hi Megan, first off, wow! Your prompt story made me feel like I was the woman running. That was a fantastic short story.” More encouragement came from Jenifer Dorval, saying, “Megan, You really captured my attention! This is an excellent sentence: 'My feet slap the ground in a steady rhythm.' that placed me in that scenario. Great work. Maybe thrillers are the way to go for you?” This feedback was significant to me as a writer because it helped me build self-confidence, making it easier to complete and share future assignments in every class. 

Creative writing classes have significantly enhanced my writing skills. I regularly discover new words primarily because I research synonyms to expand my writing. I’ve also learned various writing techniques, including metaphors and similes, to help my writing become more descriptive. My grammar and spelling keep improving from extra practice, making academic essay writing for other courses easier. The brainstorming tools I acquired in creative writing, such as free writing, lists, and outlines, allow me to compose essays more quickly and efficiently, resulting in better grades. Communicating my ideas has become more manageable, and I can produce papers I take pride in with less stress. This semester, every paper I have written in my Literature classes has been returned with high praise and no negative feedback. My Children’s Literature teacher starts her feedback with, “Wow, Megan, this is great.” Many of the high marks on papers and compliments result from my improved writing thanks to my creative writing classes. 

The writer showcased the children's book she wrote with her child in her final Creative Writing 2 project.

Exploring the world of creative writing has opened a beautiful way for me to express my thoughts and feelings on paper. It’s such a valuable tool for mental health. It allows me to understand my emotions better so I can grasp what I’m feeling. Being part of a creative writing class alongside fellow writers and soaking in their insights is an incredible journey for developing empathy and understanding. Through creative writing, I not only recognize my feelings, but I also connect deeply with the emotions of others. Connecting with my peers in this supportive, creative environment is an excellent way to nurture and enhance our empathy and understanding of each other.

My experience in college creative writing classes has been incredibly transformative, enhancing my writing skills, confidence, imagination, and emotional insight. Each class has become a fantastic space for self-expression, enabling me to delve into my creativity and connect with fellow writers. I intend to keep writing creatively and to apply the skills I've acquired as I transition to university to pursue a degree in Literature. I have a goal to write a fiction novel. Reading and writing have always played vital roles in my life and personality, yet I've struggled to share my thoughts with others. The creative writing class helped me break out of my shell, encouraging me to present my ideas and work to others gradually. I never viewed myself as a writer before; I longed to be one, but it felt unfeasible. On the first day of Creative Writing Two, my professor prompted the class to affirm, "I am a writer." After years of self-doubt, I finally recognized my potential as a writer.

About the writer:

Megan Tucker lives in Colorado Springs with her four kids, husband, three cats, and dog. At 34, I made a life-changing decision to pursue my education and chose to attend Pikes Peak State College to earn my associate's degree. This two-year college has been a great experience. I'm now preparing to transfer to UCCS in the Fall to continue my four-year degree with a major in literature.