Although schools teach essay writing, there is much to be learned from personal experimentation with writing styles. When a student can break away from the constrictions of school boundaries there is no limit to what they can learn. In the past, Quest participants have learned tremendously from the private tutorials that the writing staff affords them. The main purpose of the writing tutorials is to improve the students' skills at communicating personal thoughts. Once this potential is unleashed, they can put this ease of language towards educational goals.
College essays require a very intimate, highly-specialized tone.
College applicants must learn to express themselves in a way unique to themselves or else they risk being lumped together with thousands of other similar applicants. Creative writing allows students to tell the stories and thoughts that they want to share - the ones colleges really want to hear. Another purpose of encouraging the students to write are the spiritual and intellectual benefits of reflection. During reflection time, students can write stories or share, on paper, an account of a humorous experience that occurred during the day. This gives them a chance to look at their lives and appreciate their day.