College coursework can be incredibly challenging. Studying takes time and can be difficult, especially if you’re handling more than one class at a time. Add a particularly difficult course to the mix and you may find yourself running out of time and patience. So what happens when a really serious college student finds he needs tutoring? Thankfully, there are plenty of options.
Start with your Friends
Start by talking to some of your friends and classmates. You may be able to find someone who is excelling in a particular class that you can work with. You may also be able to form a study group so that everyone can share their ideas and thought processes. Sometimes studying together can be encouraging, especially as you hear different explanations.
Talk to your Professors
Most professors have open office hours. If you’re having a little bit of trouble with a single concept, stop by and ask for help. If you’re having trouble with the course in general, ask the professor if he offers private or group tutoring. You may be surprised to find formal study sessions led by your instructors. If your professor doesn’t offer tutoring, ask if there is a past student who excelled in his class who might offer tutoring (or who might be interested).
Campus Tutoring Options
A lot of college campuses have tutoring options, paid and not. Check with your student advisor and/or the local library to see what might be available. You might find study groups led by people with experience in certain areas of expertise, past students offering tutoring services, and more.
Make sure to check your campus bulletin boards, too. Some tutors, on campus and off, will leave informational flyers for students needing help.
Online Tutoring
There are a lot of great online tutoring programs these days. The benefit is that online tutoring groups have incredibly flexible hours, so you can work around your class and work schedules. Online tutoring services are also more likely to have someone available who is an expert in the area in which you need help.
Independent Tutoring Groups
Look for other formal tutoring groups around your campus, too. There are tons of tutors and test prep programs out there and you just need to find the right one. The drawback is that these off-campus groups may not have as much expertise in a specific college major’s coursework, but you may get a little clarity or form some better study skills. If you’re interested, you can try to select tutors here to see if you can find one in your area.
You have a lot of options, whether you need a lot of help or just a little. Look for what makes you most comfortable and what will be most effective. You’ll be glad you took a little time to ask for extra help.
