It's 2 a.m. on a Sunday night and Jia Hang Liu, a junior occupational therapy major, is stuck on her physics homework. Confused and distressed, Liu wishes someone could help her figure out how to solve a question about projectile motion.
Liu, like many other students, was unaware that UB offers free tutoring services on campus. Tutoring is available in all courses, and is easily accessible by students.
Liu is enrolled with the Center for Academic Development Services (CADS): a tutorial lab offered in 46 Capen Hall. She receives help in her physics homework along with other courses she needs guidance in like chemistry, English, and math.
CADS is a collaboration of the Equal Opportunity Program (EOP), Student Support Services (SSS), Academic Challenge and Enrichment Program (ACE), and the Cora P Maloney College (CPM). CADS is the largest tutorial program on campus, with 84 tutors in every subject and around 700 students per semester.
According to Linda Zilgme, tutorial coordinator of CADS, lots of freshman and sophomores come for tutoring to improve their grades.
"Lots of students with As come here to maintain their grades, and students with a B or C come here for guidance and want to improve their grades," Zilgme said.
Zilgme aims to create a safe and comfortable environment for the students.
"I get tutored for math, world civ., psych, and some other classes," said Andreina Uribe, a freshman English major. "They work around your schedule, and you can drop in any time. They are not just tutors; they are there to build a relationship with you and be your friend. So it's clear that they are not there just for the money but also to help."
According to Liu, there are individual tutoring sessions, group studies, and academic coaches.
If students are not enrolled in CADS, they can also go The Blake Academic Success Center at 167 Millard Fillmore Academic Complex in Ellicott. With around 200 students a semester and 17 tutors, the Blake Center offers one-on-one and group tutoring to students free of charge. Students can walk in any time between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday to receive help in courses like languages, physics, biology, math, and psychology.
The tutoring services are also available at the Jones Center in Governors, and Goodyear Study Center on South Campus for students who live in the dorms.
"It's a convenient place for students especially who live in Ellicott," said Shelia Pinckney, associate director for residential education for the past five years. "It's a perfect study environment."
The math place is another option for students wanting to improve their skills or get help with their homework. It is a free tutoring service specifically designed for students enrolled in Learning Center mathematics courses like ULC 147 and 148 and MTH 115, 121, 122, 141, 142.
Similar to the math place is the math help center, located at 110 Mathematics Building. It is free and offers walk-in tutoring for courses like MTH 115, 121, 122, 131, 141, 142, 241, and 306.
Students can make an appointment with the professors or teaching assistants they would like to get help from. Moreover, there is a list of private tutors accessible to students who wish to gain more guidance.
There are also many options for students who need help with their writing. The Writing Place in Baldy has a free walk-in service open to students who need help with writing papers or getting their papers proofread. Open from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the tutors at the writing place help students improve their writing skills.
"Why pay extra for tutoring services when it is available for free, on campus and for so many courses?" Liu said.
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