ANUSA HDR Program – Shut Up and Write
The Shut Up and Write program has been run by students, for students, at ANU since 2012. Over the years it has helped hundreds of HDR students make progress in their degrees.
What is Shut Up and Write?
Shut Up and Write sessions are for you to get together regularly and focus on short, intense bursts of productive writing in a supportive environment, using the Pomodoro Technique. This technique involves writing in silence for 40 to 50 minutes bursts, with regular ten-minute rests for coffee, snacks and chatting. Chatting is a good way to have a ‘brain break’, especially between intense periods of focus. Writers work on their own tasks – there are no set exercises or group work. This is a great way to share methods, successes, challenges, and opportunities as writers. Read what the Thesis Whisperer says on how to Shut Up and Write works.
ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions
Our sessions take place weekly. Free lunch or dinner will be provided.
- Wednesday morning session | 10am-2pm
- Thursday night session | 3pm-8pm
- Friday morning session | 10am-2pm
If you are interested in bringing the Shut Up and Write sessions to your college or accommodation buildings, please reach out to ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator for any support or enquiries.
Who can Attend ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions?
ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions are open to all Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Students, including:
We also welcome postgraduate coursework students, early career academics, and HDR students from other universities to attend by emailing ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator, but they are not eligible for the complimentary meal.
Who is Eligible for the Complementary Meal?
Free lunch or dinner will be provided to the attendees meeting the following requirements:
- Must be an HDR student;
- Participate in at least three out of the four 50-minute writing sprints;
- Have writing tasks to work on during the sessions (e.g., thesis, papers, or coding), rather than drafting emails or doing online courses, etc.
As the number of meal tickets is limited and in high demand for each session, we kindly ask those unsure about meeting the suggested requirements to register for 'Walk-In without Free Meal/ BYO.'
Cancellation
As the SUAW sessions are catered, we kindly request that if you are unable to attend a session, please notify the ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator at least 3 days in advance. Persistent bookings without attendance and without prior notice may result in the suspension of your ability to attend future sessions.
How can I register ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions?
Walk-in attendance is always welcome!
To secure the complementary meals at ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions, registration is required. Registration for complementary meals for the current weeks' sessions closes on Tuesday around lunch time. If you miss the registration and would like to have a complementary meal, please email ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator.
Our November and December sessions are scheduled as below:
The Week Starting on 11 November
13 November | Wednesday morning SUAW session @ Marie Reay, Rm 3.03, 10:00am-2:00pm
14 November | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
15 November | Friday morning SUAW session @ Marie Reay, Rm 3.03, 10:00am-2:00pm
The Week Starting on 18 November
20 November | Session Cancelled
21 November | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
22 November | Friday morning SUAW session @ Menzies Library, 10:30am-2:30pm
The Week Starting on 25 November
27 November | Wednesday morning SUAW session @ Marie Reay, Rm 3.03, 10:00am-2:00pm
No session on 28 November Thursday
No session on 29 November Friday
The Week Starting on 2 December
**Please Note**: Meal registration for this week will be closed on 26 November Tuesday lunch time (i.e., one week earlier), as requested by Wright/Bruce Hall Kitchen.
4 December | Wednesday morning SUAW session @ BKSS, ANUSA, 10:30am-2:30pm
5 December | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
6 December | Friday morning SUAW session @ Menzies Library, 10:30am-2:30pm
The Week Starting on 9 December
**Important Notice**: Starting from this week, our regular caterer (Wright/Bruce Hall Kitchen) will be closed for the holiday period. While we will provide finger food during the sessions, we can only accommodate dietary requirements/allergies (i.e., dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal). We cannot accommodate personal dietary preferences (e.g., low carb, high protein, no pasta, no noodle, no rice). Thank you for your understanding!
12 December | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
13 December | Friday morning SUAW session @ Wright Hall Dinning Hall, 10:30am-2:30pm
The Week Starting on 16 December
18 December | Wednesday morning SUAW session @ Wright Hall Dinning Hall, 10:30am-2:30pm
19 December | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
20 December | Friday morning SUAW session @ Wright Hall Dinning Hall, 10:30am-2:30pm
2024 Updates
Starting from 20 April 2024, University House ceases their operations at their Rimmer Street location, including both hosting and catering for ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions. Despite our efforts to secure a regular venue for Wednesday morning sessions, availability during the teaching period has been quite challenging. Regrettably, Wednesday sessions during the teaching period will be cancelled.
During the teaching period, our Friday morning sessions will relocate to the McDonald Room, Menzies Library.
During the teaching break, the location(s) for Wednesday and Friday morning sessions are at Room 3.03 or 3.04, Marie Reay Teaching Building, Kambri.
