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.
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.
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.