IDEAs Tutoring Program

Location: Schrank Hall North 353

The mission of the IDEAs Tutorial Study Center is to:

• Provide free tutoring in mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering core courses;
• Enhance academic success by offering a welcome learning environment and resource materials;
• Offer workshops to strengthen study methods and use engineering tools (graphic calculators, MATLAB, Excel, etc.)

Tutoring Subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering core courses.

Tutoring Schedule (Spring Semester of 2012)

Meet Tutors:

How to become a tutor? First step: application.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What kinds of services are available?
A: Both walk-in services (individual tutoring) and group tutoring sessions are available.

• Walk-in services are available from 10am to 8pm on Monday through Thursday and from 10am to 3pm on Friday. No appointments are needed.

• Group Study is available per requests from students or instructors. Students working together could reserve our group-study room and request a tutor. You may also join in a study group that is already in a session with a tutor. We are currently running study groups on Chemistry, Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Dynamics, Pre-Cal, Physics and Mechanic of Solid.

Q: Who could use the tutoring services?
A: The program is free to all engineering students either in the College of Engineering or the University College.

Q: When should I seek a tutor?
A: Depending on your learning style, you could seek a tutor when you need help understanding concepts, when you need assistance understanding homework, when you need to prepare for a test, when you feel “lost” in a class and need to overcome the barriers, when you need to improve study skills… whenever you want. Start working with a tutor earlier – do NOT wait the last minute seeking assistance.

Q: What to expect from a tutoring session?
A: Tutors will explain concepts, provide hints and check your understanding. You may feel that tutors are very friendly and care about your learning, but tutors will NOT do the work for you. Tutors will help you improve learning skills to succeed in the fields of engineering.

Q: What to bring to a tutoring session?
A: It is better for you to bring your textbook, supplementary materials, class notes, the syllabus, homework assignments, past tests, past quizzes, calculator, etc. We have reference books in the center.

Q: What if I dislike the tutor who I am currently working with?
A: We always encourage our students to find a tutor whom you feel comfortable with. It is important to match your learning style to a tutor’s tutoring style. It is our hope to meet every student’s need. Please always feel free to share your concerns with the IDEAs program director.

Q: Should I use the tutoring services instead of getting help from my instructors?
A: Absolutely No! The instructors are the key to your learning and the best resource! We highly encourage you to make optimal use of in-class learning, instructors’ office hours, recitations and problem sessions. Keep in mind that our tutors also use your professors’ lecture notes and homework assignments as main references.

Q: Is this true that only students with poor performance use tutoring services?
A: No! It is absolutely not true. If you find yourself in this bind, try looking at tutoring in a positive way: as an opportunity to meet upper classmates who demonstrate academic excellence and want to share experience with you.

Q: How do I become a tutor for the center?
A: If you have the following characteristics: successful academic record, reliability, positive outlook, enthusiasm, patience, an open mind and good communication skill, you should apply to become a tutor. The application form is also available in Schrank Hall North 360. All tutors must finish IDEAs Tutor Training Workshop before finishing 25 tutoring hours.