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Tutoring FAQs

General

Isn’t tutoring only for students who are failing their classes?
Absolutely not! Students at all levels take advantage of tutoring. Students who regularly go to tutoring often earn higher grades than students who don't participate in tutoring.

How much does tutoring cost?
Tutoring services are free to WCU students.

Can I sign up for a regular, weekly appointment with my tutor?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage students to meet with our tutors regularly throughout the semester. The best way to improve your writing skills and increase your understanding of course materials is to dedicate time to those activities every week. Tutoring provides an excellent way to structure your time. Visit our appointment document for more information, and be sure to review our policies for scheduling and canceling appointments.

How can I make an appointment?
The best way to schedule an appointment is to use Navigate, our online scheduling program. Visit our appointment document page for more information.

What do I need to bring to my tutoring sessions?
If you need to access materials online, please bring a laptop with you to your session. Additionally, for course and math tutoring, please come prepared with your textbook, supplemental readings, class notes, assignments, writing utensils, calculators, and a list of questions or topics you would like to cover. For writing appointments, please bring a copy of the assignment instructions given to you by your professor and a hard copy of your paper (or your laptop).

What should I do if I'm not happy with the assistance I receive in my tutoring sessions?
It is important for us to receive feedback that helps us improve our services. Please contact the WaLC or MTC Director with any concerns.

How long are tutoring appointments?
The default time for tutoring appointments is 30 minutes, although students can book two back-to-back sessions for an hour-long appointment.

What do I do if there are no tutors for my class?
Talk to your professor outside of class. All professors have office hours and are available to meet with you during those times to answer questions you have about the course. If your professor feels the class would benefit from a tutor, he/she can recommend one.

Can my course tutor help me with my homework assignment?
It depends. Is your homework for a grade? Has your professor given you any instructions about receiving outside help? Some instructors are happy for you to get help with homework while others prefer that your completed assignments represent your own work. If you’re unsure, ask your professor about his/her expectations. Whatever your professor’s stance may be, you can be sure that our tutors will never do your homework for you.

Keep in mind that group tutoring sessions may include students from other sections of your class, and everyone in the group may have different homework assignments. Your tutor will guide the group in setting an agenda for the session and ensuring that everyone’s questions are addressed.

Course Tutoring

Can I schedule one-on-one appointments with course tutor?
In order to serve as many students as possible, the WaLC cannot guarantee one-on-one course tutoring sessions.

Can I sit in on a course-specific tutoring session, even if I don't have an appointment?
You may ask to join a session, as long as the tutor is working with fewer than two students from your class; however, we prefer that your appointment is scheduled through Navigate. If a classmate invites you to participate in a tutoring session that they have scheduled, check with the WaLC front desk first to make sure seats are available. Students who have appointments scheduled will take precedence, and tutors may elect not to allow extra students to join a session if all of the seats for that session have been filled.

What if the tutor’s appointment times don’t work for me?
You can email the tutor to inquire about additional appointment times. Call the WaLC at 828-227-2274 and ask for the tutor’s email address. Your email should provide the tutor with an overview of all the times you have available to meet. The more hours you identify, the more likely your tutor will be able to find a time that works for both of you.

I’ve recently missed several classes. Can I meet with a course tutor to catch up on what I’ve missed?
Our services supplement class instruction but do not replace missed class content or homework assignments. Our tutors aren’t attending the classes they tutor, so they don’t know the exact material your professors have covered. If you’ve missed multiple class meetings, talk to your professor to find out if it’s possible to make up what you’ve missed. Your professor might recommend that you ask a fellow classmate for lecture notes. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with recent lectures, reading, and homework assignments, visit the WaLC with a list of specific questions about the material.

I attended a course tutoring session right before my last assignment/exam, but my grade didn’t improve. What happened?
We’re good, but we’re not magicians! Our tutors are not here to help you cram for tests or to complete your homework for you, but they will provide you with strategies for reviewing, understanding, and learning the material. Real learning takes time, and it’s up to you to allocate additional time for studying on your own. Need help finding time to study? Make an appointment for a one-on-one session with one of our talented Academic Skills Consultants.

Writing Tutoring

Does my paper have to be finished before I come in?
No, you can visit us during any stage of the writing process. Sometimes it's even more helpful to come before you begin. For any visit, always bring your assignment instructions. Tutors can assist you with brainstorming for ideas, organizing thoughts, and formulating a thesis. These appointments are collaborative in nature and often get writers off to an enthusiastic and productive start.

How much of my paper will a tutor write?
Writing tutors listen to YOU and make suggestions about how to resolve any issues in your paper. We will not write content for you, nor will we try to change your ideas or opinions. Tutors respect that your work is your own, and we will encourage you to take both a sense of pride and responsibility for it. It's up to you, the student, to interpret a tutor's suggestions and to revise your paper based on your new understanding. During your session, ask questions and make notes for yourself for later. Try to engage in a conversation with us; the more we know what you're thinking, the more helpful we can be.

Will revising my paper based on a tutor's suggestions guarantee me an A?
We focus on helping you improve your communication skills. Tutors cannot grade your paper, and we will not recommend grades to faculty. You may also notice that your tutor will not tell you what grade he/she thinks you deserve. We leave that decision up to your instructor. If you are concerned about your grade on a paper, ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR what his/her expectations are regarding audience, evidence/research, tone, and content. This information will help you as you prepare your draft, and it will also help us advise you during your tutoring session.

What if my experience isn't positive?
Just as students have different personalities and working styles, so do tutors. We value our diversity as a staff and recognize that not all students will connect well with every tutor. If your experience is neither pleasant nor helpful, please contact the WaLC at 227-2274 and we will try to connect you with a more compatible tutor for your next visit.

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