Do you need quiet concentrated time to sit and write, without distractions and in a community of other writers? If so, then this initiative could be for you!
Throughout March, April and May 2026, the Learning Success Hub will be scheduling frequent (2 – 3 times per week) 90-minute sessions on certain campuses, where you can bring your work and simply just “write”.
“Shut Up and Write” is a free writing community built around showing up to write without judgement, critiquing, or pressure, enabling students to make progress with their projects whatever programme, level or type of assignment in a supportive environment; the goal to help each other progress – one session at a time.
Held in a suitable area, and at a regular time each week, the facilitator will encourage everyone to set a small, achievable writing goal– this could be to write “500 words” of your assignment or concentrate on a particular area, the aim being “direction” without pressure and setting goals that suit you.
Following goal setting writing will begin, distractions such as phones and unrelated chatting stop, and everybody concentrates on achieving their goals. The writing time is purely for “writing” not editing or critiquing – which will help you to get started and make progress without worrying about typos, structure, or perfect sentences during the session. Revisions can be done later…
The session is structured using the “Pomodoro Technique” (Pomodoro, 2025), a time management method for studying. It breaks writing time into intervals of 25 minutes (known as Pomodoro), followed by short breaks of around 5 minutes. This method aims to encourage focussed concentration writing periods, interspersed with rest periods and is effective in reducing procrastination and burn out.
Following finishing writing you may like to socialize, chat about what you’re working on and swap study/writing tips. Overall, it’s an opportunity for you to get writing, connect with people and meet that assignment deadline in a supportive environment.
Over the next Semester “Shut Up and Write” will take place in Birmingham, Manchester, and Stratford – look out for the posters on campus and come along!
Please find out more about “Shut Up and Write” a not-for-profit organization.
References
Pomodoro, (2025). Get started with The Pomodoro Technique [online]. Available from: Pomodoro® Technique - Time Management Method