Colleges are typically packed full of resources for students - including the academic success center! Transitioning from high school to college can be challenging, especially when it comes to keeping up with college-level classwork, but the campus academic learning center is an amazing, FREE resource available to all students. This office may take on a variety of names, or have multiple departments within it, such as “learning center”, “tutoring office”, “writing center”, and more - and are all available to help students stay on top of studying, maintaining their GPA, and even specialized tutoring labs for topics such as math and writing. Here's what you should know about accessing the center and how to use it to stay on top of your grades!

Note: While different colleges might offer different types of support through their academic success center, we’ve listed the most commonly available ones below. Stop by your school’s center to learn more about what specific services are available to you.

Tutoring

Need some extra support with your homework or preparing for an upcoming exam? Tutors can help! Tutoring sessions are usually offered:

• In groups. You can study alongside other students in a particular class, led by someone in the learning center.
• Individually (in-person). To ensure you receive the help you need, making an appointment for an individual tutoring session is key. Be sure to show up to your appointment on time and prepared to study. Download our free guide to format the perfect study guide for your learning style HERE!
• Individually (remote). Some colleges are now offering remote tutoring sessions for students who can’t make it to campus. You will likely need to create an appointment for these sessions as well.
• Drop-in sessions. You do not need to sign up for drop-in tutoring sessions; they usually operate on a first-come, first-served basis. While you should expect for these sessions to be busy, during slow periods, tutors may be able to work with you one-on-one.

Essay and writing help

Have a big paper to write? With the help of a writing coach in the academic success center, you can draft, outline, and even proofread your paper together. Writing coaches can help you identify key concepts and ideas you want to write about, give you tips on making an effective argument, and review different drafts of your paper as you work on it independently!

Learning support and strategies

A big key to success in college is building good habits and strategies over time. These will help you in almost every class you take throughout your time in college, and even in life after school, so it’s important to start working on them ASAP! Here are some of the habits and strategies that the academic success center can help you build through workshops, tutoring, and trainings:

• Note taking and formatting
• Test taking skills, including managing test anxiety
• Studying
• Reading comprehension
• Writing skills like organization, proofreading, and editing
• Time management

Be sure to note which strategies would be best for you to work on, then try to practice and build on them over time!

Tips for getting the most out of your time at the academic success center

Attend class

Tutoring is a great way to supplement your learning experience, but it is not a substitute for class. It is vital that you attend class, read the required text, and bring your notes and/or questions to your tutoring session.

Be prepared

Before your tutoring session or other time getting academic support, take the time to review your assignment, upcoming quiz/test, or study guide, identify the areas where you are struggling, and write down any questions you have.

Participate

Tutors are typically fellow students who are successful in their academics and have a wealth of knowledge to share about the courses you are taking. Often, these tutors are also majoring in a similar field they are tutoring - for example an engineering major may be a math tutor or an English literature student may be helping in the Writing Lab. Keep in mind they are not professors, and although they will help you understand problems and concepts, they will not do your work for you.

Plan ahead

Showing up on time and prepared for your tutoring session is key. Tutors are often in high demand - especially during peak times like midterms & finals - so be sure to schedule your appointment ahead of time! . Another way to plan ahead of your tutoring session is to make sure you show up early and prepared to jump straight into what you need help with.

Still looking for advice on how to use the academic success center or need help preparing for an upcoming test? ? Text #Hello to 33-55-77 and our virtual advisors will help answer all your questions!