Tutoring/Study Group FAQs
Important Note from the LRC Director: LRC sessions provide students with collaborative learning opportunities -- one of the most effective ways to learn new material or review. Please do not think of these services exclusively as support for failing students. While the LRC staff is happy to assist students who are not living up to their own academic expectations, most of the students who use the LRC services already have high GPAs and nearly all of the students who use the LRC services report that they get even higher grades because they make the effort to study together or with a tutor.
What is a Study Group session?
The Study Groups are weekly out-of-class sessions during which students taking the same course work together or individually to master course content under the leadership of a student who previously excelled in that course. These sessions provide an informal setting for students to review material, ask questions, share ideas, use the language of the discipline, and organize class notes for further study. The intent is for students to improve their study habits and increase their understanding of course content. The sessions allow students to test themselves before the instructor tests them. The key to success will be asking questions and practice, practice, practice.
Why should I attend?
You will be working with tutors/study group leaders, chosen by your professor, who will help you with what they know you need to know. Attending regularly can't help but improve your understanding of your course content as you get a chance to informally ask questions, practice problems, and focus on the most challenging concepts.
Who are the Tutors/Study Group Leaders?
The key to the success of these programs is the use of tutors and leaders who are ready to help students use the new skills they are learning. These leaders have successfully completed the course and been carefully selected by their professor, so they know the content of the course and the expectations of the professor. They will help students use the learning strategies that work best for their course: organization of information; effective use of notes, text, study guides, and additional problems; and methods of self-testing.
How can I participate?
You are invited to drop into any session. It is recommended that you attend every one!!! Each session will be different because you will have new things to talk about aftereach lecture and assignment. You should bring notes, assignments and, most importantly, questions. You should be patient, cooperative, and willing to help other students when you can explain a concept to them. The leader will answer questions fully, one at a time, and may work with students in small groups, moving amongst them to field questions when they get stuck and/or bring all of the students together when they are having trouble with the same concept.
Which classes have tutors/study groups leaders? When and where do they meet?
Tutoring/study groups are formed when instructors or students realize that they could benefit from additional academic support for a class. If you feel that you could benefit from having a tutor/study group for a class, contact the Director of the LRC to request one. The study groups will meet weekly at a designated time and place that will be advertised to the class through emails, signs in the classsroom, and on a bulletin board in the LRC, as well as on the LRC website.