This article was published in the Spring 2013 Saint Paul College Magazine.

The value of your education goes beyond the dollar amount paid at the beginning of each semester. Beyond the books paid for and tuition cost of each class, there is the value of services provided to our students that have helped us be the college of choice for so many students. With all the different student services we provide, learning goes far beyond the classrooms and labs here. One of the most valuable free services we encourage students to use is our Tutoring Services. Not only do students rave about the help they receive through Tutoring Services, but in some classes, it’s one of the first things that instructors recommend to their students. Free tutoring is provided to all Saint Paul College students at three centers, each focusing on different subjects: the Academic Support Center, the Math Center, and the Writing Center. Students don‘t need an appointment – they can just stop by anytime during the centers’ posted hours and will be helped to get on the right track to accomplish their goals. Students also learn good study habits from their tutors that will help them in any of their classes.

Academic Support CenterThe Academic Support Center provides free peer tutoring in over twenty different subjects from a wide variety of disciplines. Students can meet with a tutor for 30 minute one-on-one tutoring sessions or form study groups that meet with a tutor. The Academic Support Center is a great place to find a tutor that has specific knowledge about the subject you are studying, whether it’s Macroeconomics or Microsoft Office, Sociology or Spanish. Amanda Miklik, Director of Tutoring Services, explains how she puts students at ease about seeking academic assistance. “Many students feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help from a tutor. To those students I say, ‘Don’t worry! It’s the good students who ask for help when they’re stuck!’” The Academic Support Center also offers a wide variety of free workshops throughout the semester that focus on academic skills-related topics ranging from how to study in math courses to managing test anxiety.Go to www.saintpaul.edu/AcademicSupport for more information

Free services such as tutoring provide added value to the college experience and student success

to your educationThe tutoring centers provide academic resources and support to help students become more successful and achieve their academic goals. With our free support services – no student is alone in their academic journey.

adding more value

Leah Bliss, Writing Center Coordinator; Amanda Miklik, Director of Tutoring Services; Paul Peterson, Math Center Coordinator

“We see students from all different walks of life, at all different levels of writing. Some need help getting set up on a computer to start typing, and some need help fine-tuning a literary analysis. There are students who have never written an academic paper, and some who last wrote one decades ago. We really see everything,” says Leah Bliss, Writing Center Coordinator. “We simply provide the resources and give them the support they need to develop their writing skills.” On a typical day, 40-50 students utilize the Writing Center’s services. Students learn strategies and approaches to becoming better and more independent writers. They learn the writing and grammar skills that will serve them well later in

their jobs, whether it’s a trade, technical, or health or business career. Go to www.saintpaul.edu/WritingCenter for more information

Tutors All tutoring center tutors are peer tutors. Peer tutors are faculty-recommended and extensively trained students who have demonstrated both strong subject proficiency, as well as an aptitude for communicating complex concepts in a clear manner. Our tutors also possess an enthusiasm for learning and enjoy helping others. Peer tutoring is a great on-campus

employment opportunity. “We employ a very diverse group of tutors from a wide variety of cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds and experiences,” says Miklik. “Many students say they are comfortable using our services because they are able to talk to someone they can relate to.” All tutors are trained to work with students on developing their study skills. We see students at every stage of the learning process. The tutors are instructed to help students become more independent in their academic pursuits.

Math CenterThe Math Center is one of our most popular places that students come to for help. The Math Center offers free tutoring to all current students for the following subjects:

• All levels of Math• Physics• Chemistry

Students may work independently on math homework or meet with a tutor one-on-one to work through example problems. Many students struggle with math, so tutors are not just well-versed in math and chemistry but also in how to help students find ways to understand new material. Many students come to math class with little computer experience so using MyMathLab or other software can be very challenging. We help the student bridge this gap and give many students their initial instructions on using the computer. The tutors and Math Center Coordinator, Paul Peterson, try to help students with all their questions, whether it is a question of how to sign up for software needed in their class or a more specific question about material from class. The majority of the students seen in the Math Center are in fundamental math, algebra, and chemistry. Students also come to the Center with questions about higher levels of math, chemistry and physics and are given help in understanding difficult and challenging concepts about these subjects. The Math Center serves an average of about 40 students per day throughout each semester. “In many ways our most important role is to instill confidence in students as they progress in their classes,” says Peterson. “Whenever a student is finished with the Math Center, we hope they will be able to take what they have learned and be successful.”Go to www.saintpaul.edu/MathCenter for more information

Writing CenterThe Writing Center is a great place to work on a paper and get feedback from a writing tutor. Many people struggle with college-level writing at first, so it’s great to have a place where you can come and develop your skills and receive feedback from experienced writers. The Writing Center provides free writing support to all current Saint Paul College students at any stage in the writing process, including assistance with the following:

• grammar• essay writing• research• citation• any writing-related questions

Tutors Angie and Eitan go over their tutoring strategies.

for more information on all our Tutoring Services go to www.saintpaul.edu/Tutoring

“Many students say they are comfortable using our tutoring services because

they are able to talk to someone they

can relate to.”Amanda Miklik,

Director of Tutoring Services

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by contacting Caidin Riley, Director of Disability Services at 651.846.1547 or caidin.riley@saintpaul.edu. For TTY Communication, contact the Minnesota Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1.800.627.3529.

Saint Paul College is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator and a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. 7/9/13