February 2006

Briefly speaking: Tutoring services available

Grant Acosta, left, a math skills specialist at the Learning Skills Center, helps students Alicia Contreras, middle, and Yami Rosas with a math problem. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

No matter how many college prep classes your student took before enrolling at UC Davis, the jump to university-level courses and the fast pace of the quarter system can be challenging. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming, says Carol Hunter, tutor supervisor at the Learning Skills Center.

"We encourage students to be proactive in their education," she says. "If they're having trouble, help is available."

The center, which serves about 8,000 students a year, offers a variety of free services to help students develop their academic skills.

Individual appointments to workshops

Students can sign up for workshops for 50 people, smaller group settings and even individual appointments. The center has staff on hand Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and help is also available when students drop in with a problem.

Professional staff teach weekly workshops that parallel 10 to 15 specific courses in biology, chemistry, math, physics, statistics and writing. Other workshops focus on developing better study and time management skills.

Students Alicia Contreras, left, and Yami Rosas participate in a group tutoring session at the Learning Skills Center. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

In smaller group settings, attendance at the one or two sessions a week is mandatory. Students may also arrange one 30- or 60-minute individual appointment per week, depending on the subject and the specialist.

The center's staff also offers tutoring for specific math, chemistry and writing courses at the Segundo, Cuarto and Tercero residence halls. Those services are available to students living in any residence hall. UC Davis athletes may also attend sessions Monday through Thursday evenings at Dutton Hall.

"We recommend that students use a variety of services -- sign up for a combination of workshops and smaller group tutoring sessions to find the best fit to meet their needs," Hunter says.

Hiring a private tutor

The center can also help match students to private tutors. Hunter says she receives about 15 requests a week from parents and students searching for private tutors, who generally ask $10 to $25 an hour.

Hunter recommends interviewing prospective tutors about their background and overall grade point average to determine their fit with your student's needs. She also suggests that tutoring sessions be held in a safe, neutral location.

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