I tutor at my school’s Writing Center, and more than half the time I see students who, without saying so, clearly believe that they don’t need to know how to write — they just need this paper to be better. In session, when I attempt to pull a student (unfortunately, usually an athlete) into a discussion to explain his errors and how to avoid them next time, the student glances up from his slouched position, says “OK,” and returns to staring at his hands or scrolling through who knows what app. Later, if I ask, I find that all of these students major in something other than English.

Freshmen begin college with the misconceived notion that, once they’ve completed their Freshman Seminar or English Composition course, they will no longer have to write an essay — their courses will solely consist of calculating equations, mixing chemicals, and taking multiple choice exams. They try to skate by in their intro classes, so they can move on to their “important” courses. But freshman English is the foundation of every subsequent class. If a student majors in psychology, she will write her research project. If a student majors in biology, he will write lab reports. Yes, even accounting and theater majors write papers — every semester. To those incoming freshmen who think that they don’t have to write, because they plan to be a surgeon, astrophysicist, or business manager: Just — no.

Though surgeons don’t compose 20-page papers on nature in Romantic literature after removing a gallbladder, they will write emails, which, unlike texts, should say more than “Wut up, bro?” or “Wanna chill?” While you don’t have to be philosophical in every email you write, your words need substance. When we college kids received our acceptance letters, they said more than “Congrats, you’re in!” They prepared us for the opportunity we were awarded and explained a few extra details like finances. Aside from emails, everyone creates a resume. Within just a few bullet points beneath their work experience, people need to express multiple facets of their jobs. To get across big ideas in a few words, we all need a broad vocabulary and concise style. Sure, people can attend workshops where teachers edit and perfect resumes, but those teachers don’t necessarily understand the job the way an actual employee does. A tutor’s words may not convey what you mean.

So, football player who’s more interested in his phone than in my advice, I’m sorry, but you need to pay attention. You need to learn how to use words because you’ll use them for the rest of your life. I didn’t begin my college career as a tutor. I worked my way up, improving my skills after being tutored by other students before me. I may be able to help you now, but if no one else has the motivation or desire to write — if all of your peers have the same attitude as you — who will help you later? Remove the hassle: Be engaged, become someone who could take my place, even if you never will.