The last session started with me feeling stuck and frustrated, but I decided to start my bullet-point draft even if I was’t sure of my clear focus — and I ended up feeling more determined and better about my writing. At least I now have a starting point for discussion when my supervisors get back me. One piece of advice that I loved was to "write a letter to myself" when finishing a writing session, so that getting back to it later would be easier.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

Thank you very much! I enjoyed [the course] a lot and got some actual writing done which has been a bottleneck for my work.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

Sad that the course ended already.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

Thank you so much <3 Amazing that you could bring some of the sunny energy to dark November!

— Helsinki University student, 2022

The writing sessions were super effective and focused. it helped me significantly by allowing me to reserve my time just for writing, keeping the distractions aside. Jess is a great instructor and mentor, not only she kept guiding with the writing sessions but also highlighted the significance of physical and mental wellbeing that helps in writing and focusing.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

I loved these [sessions]. It was motivating, I learned a lot, especially about the way of writing and how to focus and how to find myself as a writer. Loved the stretching breaks.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

I liked the maybe untypical way of warming up to the course session with stretches which got the blood flowing and brains calibrated. Also, writing in a group with peer support was fun and helped to set the atmosphere and focus for writing.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

I loved [this course]. It was amazing to find time to concentrate on my writing without letting anyone disturb. It was good to leave wi-fi out and check the details later.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

[This course] was excellent for re-establishing my writing routine.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

[These sessions] helped me to relax a bit before starting my writing, as well as giving me time for setting goals, then finally, evaluating my progress.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

Loved [these sessions]. Sharing and feeling the support of others is helpful.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

These sessions made me feel more positive about writing.

— Helsinki University student, 2022

Thank you for these sessions!!

— Helsinki University student, 2021

I did not know what to expect but I am really happily surprised. The course helped me a lot to overcome my fears in writing.

— Helsinki University student, 2021

These sessions were so good that they count as cognitive behavioral therapy.

— Helsinki University student, 2021

Very effective. Motivating exercises, a good time frame for concentrated writing. New ideas on how to maintain the interest in your project and be productive.

— Helsinki University student, 2021

These sessions helped me progress greatly.

— Helsinki University student, 2021

More of this kind of course!

— Helsinki University student, 2021

I liked the structure. I hope to attend in the future as well. This sort of opportunities should be available for all on a regular basis.

— Helsinki University student, 2021

Please keep up your positive spirit. You've somehow managed to identified the EXACT problem goal oriented people face with writing and have the skill set to relax them and bring them to a productive space instead of a obsessive/perfectionist space. This course is truly wonderful.

— Helsinki University student, 2021

I think Jess is fantastic at facilitating the retreat. She gave some very good tips for writing and I think the way the retreat was ran was very successful.

— Aalto University student, summer 2020

Very useful and instructive, especially for the practical advice. I would compare them to going for the first time to a pilates class and finding out there are ways to exercise your abs that are not the horrible sit-up you were taught in school.

— Aalto University student, 2020

The sessions were good, timely and very well facilitated. They didn't require a lot of effort to reschedule the day, since they were only in the afternoons.

— Aalto University student, 2020

I was initially suspicious of whether the remote writing sessions would be helpful, but this has been much more useful and motivating than I thought! I also got more out of the later sessions — after the first two I felt like I didn't learn anything new, but after 5 I can really see how the structure, explicit goal-setting and timers work. Now I feel much more confident in my ability to work remotely!

— Aalto University student, 2020

The sessions were really good, and helped me to organize my writing/goals.

— University of Helsinki student, 2020

These sessions were a great way to get me started. I probably would have delayed working on my project otherwise, but now I got an early start.

— University of Helsinki student, 2020

I liked the online sessions very much and I got a feeling that I wasn't alone. Especially in this time of corona I welcomed this course. :)

— University of Helsinki student, 2020

The online series was simply wonderful!! Keeping the mind focused on writing is not easy, but I think these sessions succeeded in it!!

— University of Helsinki student, 2020