What Do I Do When My Student Is Struggling in Class? A Q&A With Center for Learning Peer Tutors
Most of us probably think of finding a tutor when our students are stuggling. SPU’s Center for Learning is a great source for connecting students with tutors. Led by Mary Jayne Allen, coordinator for learning services, peer tutors are selected not only for their subject knowledge, but also for their interpersonal skills and their passion for helping others learn. Peer tutors go through training, set goals, and staff study tables several days a week based on class schedules.
Chemistry Peer Tutor Jake Van Winkle speaks of the “wonderful support staff that tutors have at the Center for Learning.
“For each and every tutoring session,” Jake says, “we are provided access to books, equation sheets, scratch paper, molecule model kits, and calculators that are used to directly impact student learning. We also have the blessing of receiving insightful group training, as well as observation and critique on our tutoring methods, throughout each quarter. This support allows us to truly embrace our position supporting the many students we see on a weekly basis.”
The success of the Peer Tutor/Study Table program is clear: Students who participate in study tables have higher retention of the material, and learning in community develops collaborative learning, a deeper understanding of the subject.
We decided to ask four of our peer tutors why they chose to be tutors, what advice they have for parents and families when their student is struggling in a class, and what obstacles they see students face when getting assistance. Here’s what they told us:
Why are you a tutor?
Madeleine Lenz, Psychology and Sociology peer tutor
I am a tutor because I love to walk alongside others as they navigate their way through a difficult concept or problem. There is something so special about seeing someone really grasp and understand a concept; it is rewarding for both the students and myself when they have a ‘light bulb’ moment.
Haley Balbi, University Foundations peer tutor
I decided to be a tutor because I hope that my positive experiences in certain classes can help other students to enjoy those classes as well! I tutor UFDN — which is an SPU required course for all students — and because of that I know it can be frustrating at times. I hope that through being a tutor I am able to help students learn and grow from these classes, even if they didn’t choose to take it.
Maya Woodford, Anatomy and Physiology peer tutor
I decided to be a tutor at the Center for Learning at SPU specifically because of how grateful I am for the services they have offered me. The Center for Learning has been a great support for me since I was a freshman in my first nursing school prerequisite class until now, my first year in nursing school. The individual learning techniques provided are so beneficial. I learned best from the tutors at the CFL, while figuring what ways to study, learn, and retain information are best for me. Therefore, I thought I might be able to provide some of the same benefits to students.
Jake Van Winkle, Chemistry peer tutor
The simple answer? Because I love chemistry! Furthermore, I love sharing the knowledge and excitement that surrounds this subject, especially since it can be extremely frustrating or dense at times. My love of chemistry was born in the lab, and my first student interactions were as a laboratory LA (learning assistant) here at SPU. However, I longed to engage and inspire students on a larger scale than a single lab, once a week. My transition to tutoring for the CFL allowed face-time with many more students from a variety of chemistry courses in a relaxed, comfortable environment. This freedom allows casual yet well-informed peer-to-peer interaction that instills student confidence in essential chemistry skills. I am always excited to spend time with the many wonderful minds I see day in and day out; great students who will one day take on the burden of advancing humanity’s knowledge in science or medicine.
Do you have any advice for parents who are encouraging their student to seek tutoring?
Madeleine Lenz
For parents who are encouraging their students to seek tutoring, I would emphasize the importance of learning in community. When students are given a safe, nonjudgmental space to talk out their thoughts and wrestle with difficult material, their learning and understanding will increase exponentially. At the Study Tables, students are able to ask questions that have come up when working on concepts outside of class, work with other students in their actual class to find solutions, and have a tutor to work through things with. Lastly, I would encourage parents to emphasize that the Study Tables at the Center for Learning are free!
Haley Balbi
I would advise parents to encourage their students to get help before it’s too late. Study Tables are open all year, and it will make midterms and finals times so much less stressful if they come in throughout the quarter! Also, remind them that this is a free resource. SPU offers so many opportunities that can make your college experience better, but students have to be willing to take the initiative themselves during their college career.
Maya Woodford
There is sometimes a stigma associated with the word tutoring because it may make people feel like they cannot do something by themselves. Getting help is a big deal, and I think it should be more the student’s idea and motivation for optimal outcomes.
Jake Van Winkle
Keep encouraging your student; it is well worth the effort! I would try to convince your student to just go at least once! One of the things that is special about tutoring through the Center for Learning is that students can do what best suits them. Students are free to come and go as they please, and ask as many or few questions as their heart desires. I have had students pop in just to cover a single topic for a few minutes, or stay for hours at a time, multiple times a week. The open format isn’t the least bit intimidating, and students are typically quick to realize that the visit was worthwhile if we can help answer even a single question.
What are the obstacles you see for students getting tutoring assistance?
Madeleine Lenz
I think some students hesitate to reach out for tutoring assistance because they think that they need to figure things out on their own; that asking for help or clarification shows weakness. While I can understand this hesitance, I would encourage students to seek tutoring out anyway, because it can be a great way to be affirmed in what is being learned. In fact, talking concepts through with another person who has learned the concepts before actually increases the strength of students’ learning, making their understanding stronger. Further, students can be given alternative ways of thinking and processing information when working through concepts with others, increasing the width and depth of their own learning.
Another obstacle I have seen stop students from getting tutoring assistance is the thought, “I am so lost and have no idea where to begin.” It is important for students to know that this is when they should come to Study Tables! All of us tutors are eager to help students figure out where to start, because we genuinely want to help them become successful in their learning. If students do not know what to ask or where to begin, that is a great opportunity for the tutors to work with them in figuring it out.
Haley Balbi
I think the biggest obstacle is time. College is a phase of life that has your schedule jam packed every week. As a student at SPU you are presented with many great opportunities and have to decide what is worth fitting into your schedule. Going to tutoring may not be every student’s number one priority, but it is definitely worth putting aside time for.
Maya Woodford
It can be difficult for students to articulate what they need to ask to receive the proper guidance. That is why at the Center for Learning we try to ask questions that spark ideas from previous knowledge.
Jake Van Winkle
Unfortunately, there seems to be a hesitation from students to attend tutoring for the first time. I constantly strive to fight this by encouraging all students to stop in with friends or classmates for tutoring. Making tutoring a part of their homework routine is instrumental in forging deeper knowledge of subject material and stronger camaraderie between classmates. Above everything, my favorite tutoring sessions are those in which the room is filled with an aggregate of students from all different levels of comprehension who are fully invested in their equations or lab protocols, busily working together for the synergistic benefit of the group. I truly believe that once students come and experience the environment, they realize that there is nothing to fear! The Center for Learning provides a fun, safe, comfortable, and productive environment in which to tackle homework, exams, and everything in between.
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