Dedicated to supporting the academic success of students across all four ASU campuses, the ASU Parents Association helps to fund tutoring options including Student Success Centers and the Learning Support Services.
Especially during their first and second years of college, students are often overwhelmed by their studies. It is important that they realize there is a support system at ASU to help them retain classroom knowledge and ultimately improve their own study habits.
“There are complimentary tutoring options available to students at each of the four ASU campuses that are convenient and easily accessible,” said Jeanne Hanrahan, executive director of university academic success programs. “Generally, we see freshmen and sophomore students using our services because typically as students get into their majors, they are more academically stable and begin to form their own student study groups.”
Student Success Centers and the Learning Resource Center (on the ASU Tempe campus) generally provide math, science and writing tutoring, but are designed to support the specific academic majors offered at each campus. Most tutoring is conducted in small group settings, although individual sessions are offered as available by student peers that excel in the subjects they tutor. These resources exist to help ensure a positive transition from high school to university-level study.
There are a significant amount of students that perform below their aptitude in general studies classes. ASU is developing their tutoring after national models to include supplemental instruction and teaching teams. “Supplemental Instruction” are review sessions for specific courses that is conducted weekly by an upper-division student majoring in that area of study.
“Teaching Teams” are led by students enrolled in a leadership development course, but also in a general studies class. A chemistry 101 professor will schedule time in his or her class for students to break into groups facilitated by student leaders in that class. Implemented just last semester on the Tempe campus, these programs are expected to grow to other campuses in the next few semesters.