Tutoring Services at the Learning Commons

• CLICK HERE to view the list of courses for which peer tutoring is currently available.
• All tutoring sessions will take place online. Visit the Navigate mobile app to request an appointment with a peer tutor!
• Tutoring sessions are conducted by trained and qualified peer tutors who are selected based on academic achievement, supportive faculty recommendations, and an application and interview process.
• Tutoring services are FREE to all matriculated UC undergraduate students. You are already paying tuition, so why not take advantage of this support?

• Use the Navigate desktop website.  Login using your UC username and password.
• Use the Navigate App.  You can download the app for free on your mobile device through your app store.  Search for “Navigate Student,” and you should find it no problem.
• For step-by-step instructions on how to make a tutoring appointment using Navigate, CLICK HERE.

Smarthinking is an easy-to-use online tutoring service available to all UC students. Smarthinking provides expert assistance in a variety of subjects, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Over 90% of Smarthinking tutors hold a Master’s degree or Ph.D., so you will work with an expert in every session. Smarthinking tutors average 12 years of experience working directly with students, so they are expert teachers as well as subject experts. Although Smarthinking tutors will never do your work for you, they will help you learn and gain the confidence and skills necessary to handle future assignments on your own.

MORE INFORMATION ON SMARTHINKING

What can I expect from Smarthinking online tutoring?

With Smarthinking online tutoring, you can:

• Receive online tutoring in more than 150 subject areas
• Connect with a tutor and interact live; get one-on-one help in minutes
• Submit your writing for any class to the Online Writing Lab
• Make an appointment, so you can plan questions and prepare for an assignment
• Submit a question and come back later for your online tutor’s answer

How can a Smarthinking tutor help me with my writing?

To succeed in college and beyond, you need to write well. Nobody’s born a great writer. But everyone can learn and improve. Smarthinking writing tutors can help you:

• Get started, plan, and do the pre-writing necessary for you to succeed
• Put yourself in the reader’s shoes
• Follow your instructor’s guidelines
• Deliver stronger arguments that flow logically
• Choose better evidence
• Properly analyze, organize, and cite research
• Get grammar and other details right

Smarthinking tutors will review your essay or other writing assignment in any subject, and they will give a detailed critique that identifies your strengths and shows exactly how to improve. You’ll get a focused revision plan, targeted comments where you need them, and writing help on any issue you ask them about. The goal of Smarthinking writing tutors is to help you learn writing skills you can use today, next semester, and forever.

Sounds great! How do I get started?

Login is easy. Just click here and enter your UC username and password.

Smarthinking Tutoring Topics List

• Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
• Business, Accounting, and Economics
• Computers and Technology
• Health Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Nursing
• Reading
• Writing

The tutoring experience is collaborative, and both the tutor and the student play a role.

 Tutors Offer:

• Clarification of material
• Practice with course concepts
• Assistance with skills and strategies for how to learn course content
• Test preparation and test-taking tips
• Help with the writing process

However, Tutors Do NOT Offer:

• A quick fix the night before a test or quiz
• A substitute for attending class
• A substitute for meeting with the course instructor
• An editing or proofreading service

A Tutor’s Goals Are To:

• Promote student success by offering academic support in a variety of subjects
• Assist students in becoming independent, confident learners
• Provide a supportive and stimulating active learning environment

Students Who Make the Most of Their Tutoring Sessions:

• Plan tutoring appointments well in advance of upcoming assignments or exams
• Go over the material to the best of their ability before the session
• Come prepared with a plan of specific questions and problems to discuss with the tutor
• Bring relevant course materials (writing prompts, rubrics, texts, assignment sheets, class handouts)
• Actively participate in the session

Why should I use tutoring?

• To identify and clarify key concepts
• To organize and remember information
• To integrate text and lecture notes
• To prepare for a test or quiz
• To learn and improve study strategies

What should I bring to the tutoring session?

• Textbooks
• Class notes
• Text notes
• Syllabus
• Past quizzes and tests
• Homework
• Assignment sheets
• Writing prompts
• Rubrics

What about confidentiality?

When you check in for your first-ever tutoring session, you will be asked to sign a Tutee Agreement Form that gives tutors permission to share information about your tutoring with the Director of Learning Commons if necessary.  This is for your benefit.  The Learning Commons keeps record of all tutoring activities, and all Learning Commons tutors sign a Confidentiality Agreement as a condition of their employment.

What can I expect from a tutor?

Tutors are expected to facilitate student learning by:

• Discussing specific course content
• Promoting and modeling the use of appropriate study strategies
• Emphasizing active learning techniques
• Practicing good listening and communication skills
• Maintaining scheduled hours
• Respecting students’ rights to confidentiality

It is important to note that tutors are not “homework machines” or miracle workers. If you procrastinated throughout the semester, cramming with a tutor the night before a major exam will not produce good results.  If you plan to visit a writing tutor, keep in mind that last minute revisions are not effective.

What will a tutor expect from me?

Tutees are expected to be active participants in their tutoring sessions. Bring relevant materials to the tutoring session. Come prepared by:

• Attending class
• Taking notes
• Reading assignments
• Trying homework problems
• Preparing questions
• Attending tutoring sessions on a regular basis

When can I meet with a tutor?

Tutoring typically begins during the second full week of classes.  During the Spring 2021 semester, all tutoring will be by appointment and will take place online.  You can make a tutoring appointment in Navigate, and you will connect with your tutor via Google Meet (a link will be sent to you as soon as you make an appointment).

How much tutoring can I receive?

To ensure the broadest access to all students, there is a limit of 2 tutoring appointments per student, per subject, per week. 
 

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

• Tutoring appointments must be made 24 hours in advance (at a minimum) or up to 7 days in advance (at a maximum)
• Sessions may be canceled up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled session. Students must give 24 hours’ notice for a cancelation.  Students who do not cancel in time or fail to appear for a session will be counted as a “no-show”.
• No-show policy: after 4 missed appointments, students are prohibited from booking further appointments for the rest of the current semester.

Are there other options available for tutoring?

Yes!  The Smarthinking online service is also available to you.  Smarthinking gives students anytime, anywhere access to academic help from experts with an average of 12 years of experience in their field.  Each Utica College student can access their Smarthinking account with their UC username and password at this link: https://smarthinking.utica.edu/.  Tutors are available in the following subjects:

• Mathematics & Statistics
• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, A&P, Organic Chemistry, Physics)
• Business
• Spanish
• Computers & Technology (InDesign & Photoshop, C++, C#, Java, Python, etc.)
• Nursing
• Reading
• Writing
   

Questions about tutoring?

Please contact Lena Moser, Director of Learning Commons, at 315-792-3369 or at tutoring@utica.edu.

UC’s peer tutors are a select group of students who demonstrate subject proficiency as well as the interpersonal skills necessary for good working relationships. If you are interested in becoming a peer tutor, we suggest you do the following:

1. Read the Job Description for a Learning Commons Peer Tutor. Interested? Keep reading!
2. Read the Tutor Contract which outlines the job responsibilities of every Learning Commons tutor.  Be sure you agree with the Code of Conduct and the policies outlined therein before you submit your application.
3. Submit a Prospective Tutor Application.
4. Submit your Campus Employment Application.
5. Request a Recommendation from a faculty member who knows you (and your work) best.
6. Send an email to Lena Moser, the Director of the Learning Commons, indicating your interest to work as a tutor after you have completed all the steps above. Please email Lena at tutoring@utica.edu.

What are the requirements of a peer tutor?

• 'B+' or above in the course you wish to tutor, and a 3.0 (or higher) cumulative GPA
• Completion of two semesters of college
• Enthusiasm for your academic subject and an interest in helping your peers learn

What are the benefits of peer tutoring?

Through training workshops and tutoring practice, you stand to gain excellent professional and personal benefits.

• Strengthen your skills in interpersonal communication, active listening, and collaboration
• Provide supportive opportunities for students to interact with the course material in new and creative ways
• Develop awareness of your own and others' learning styles
• Strengthen your academic, social, critical thinking, and time management skills
• Remain fresh in your content area
• Build leadership experience that is attractive to employers
• Work towards your career and academic goals
• Network and discover new friendships!

How much will I be able to tutor?

Peer tutoring is a paid position, and tutors typically offer at least 3–8 hours of tutoring per week, depending on student need and available funding.  Tutoring as part of work study for undergraduate applicants is preferred but not required.

What does tutor training involve?

• You are required to complete two hours of training before beginning work as a tutor.  Training topics include:
• Tutor role do’s and don’ts
• How to be an effective facilitator of student learning
• Conducting a successful tutoring session
• Dealing with difficult situations
• Listening and communication skills

Some training is conducted through self-guided modules, observation, and self-assessment.  All tutors receive individual feedback sessions from the Learning Commons Director.