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 every weekly. Free lunch or dinner will be provided.
- Wednesday morning session | 10am-2pm
- Scheduled during Teaching Break
- Location: TBC
- 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 (for our longer sessions):
- 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 April and May sessions are scheduled as below:
Week 7
17 April | Wednesday morning SUAW session @University House, 10am-3pm
18 April | Thursday evening SUAW session @ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
19 April | Friday morning SUAW session @University House, 10am-3pm
Week 8
25 April: Public Holiday No Shut Up and Write session
26 April | Friday morning SUAW session @ McDonald Room, Menzies Library, 10am-2pm
Week 9
2 May | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
3 May | Friday morning SUAW session @ McDonald Room, Menzies Library, 10am-2pm
Week 10
9 May | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
10 May | Friday morning SUAW session @ McDonald Room, Menzies Library, 10am-2pm
Week 11 (registration opens on 1 May 3pm)
16 May | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
17 May | Friday morning SUAW session @ McDonald Room, Menzies Library, 10am-2pm
Week 12 (registration opens on 1 May 3pm)
23 May | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
24 May | Friday morning SUAW session @ McDonald Room, Menzies Library, 10am-2pm
The Week Starting on 29 May (registration opens on 1 May 3pm)
30 May | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm
31 May | Friday morning SUAW session @ McDonald Room, Menzies Library, 10am-2pm
May 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 TBC.
