If the prospect of writing a paper means the kiss of death, or if staring hopelessly at an equation for hours isn't your idea of fun, don't despair. For extra help with almost any subject, the odds are good at finding a free tutoring service on campus.
The Blake Academic Success Center at 167 Millard Fillmore Academic Complex in Ellicott provides open doors to all students at no charge. Offering drop-in tutoring from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, students can receive one-on-one help from fellow classmates without an appointment on a range of disciplines such as physics, languages, biology and psychology.
The Writing Place, located at 209 Baldy Hall, is a great resource to take advantage of when perfecting a research paper or essay. Students need only bring in their rough drafts to the lab to receive relatively instant feedback.
Senior communications major, Susan Issa, has used the writing lab in the past with great results.
"I used the writing lab numerous times when I was a sophomore and it helped with the little things I would miss," she said. "I had this professor that really intimidated the class before our final paper was due. I went to the writing lab twice before I handed the paper in and I ended up with an A on the paper."
While the writing place is not an editing service, its tutors act as navigators for students throughout the writing process.
"I had the questions and my tutor gave me the answers," Issa said. "She didn't take my paper and fix it. She pretty much was a guide to me as I wrote my paper."
Similar in design, the Math Place, which is also located at 209 Baldy, encourages students to stop and seek help with any mathematical queries during their tutorial hours. The lab assists those in ULC 147 and 148, as well as MTH 115, 121, 122, 131, 141 and 142. Their hours of operation are Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 12 noon to 6 p.m.
For help in a pinch from home in MTH 141 and 142, download "Mother Hen" through MyUB. Courtesy of the UB Engineering department, watch as Professor Ann Piech works through problems from the course text; each problem has its own video clip arranged by chapter and topic.
The Math Help Center at 110 Math Building provides services for higher level math classes, including calculus, daily from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. TA's and graduate students are on staff to provide answers instantly.
UB even has resources for those struggling with their science classes. Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) provide free, drop-in tutoring for students in their office located at 446 NSC. Students can obtain help in general chemistry and organic chemistry as well as physics and calculus on Mon from 3p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For those in MTH 141 and 142, CHE 107, PHY 107 and 108, small group meetings meet in 414 Bonner Hall throughout the fall semester. Schedule and sign up information can be accessed online through MyUB at the School of Engineering Web site.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers members (AIChE) can receive free tutoring on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at noon, and Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the map room on the third floor of Capen Hall. The tutors are fellow AIChH members who can provide assistance in a variety of subjects required in chemical engineering.
Members of Tau Beta Pi, an Engineering honor society on campus, are also privy to free tutoring. Visit the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences website for a complete list of classes and times when tutors are available at 344 Capen Hall.
UB honor students living in Governors can receive free assistance in calculus, chemistry, Spanish, physics and most introductory classes every Sunday evening from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 117 Roosevelt Hall.
For those enrolled with the Center for Academic Development Services (CADS), a tutorial lab offered in 46 Capen Hall, is another option. 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 a staff of 92 tutors assisting three to four thousand students per semester.
"It is a federally funded program sponsored by United States Department of Education," said director of CADS, Leasa Rochester. "We support first generation students, low income students and students with disabilities to graduate from college."
While it can be unsettling to not understand entire chunks of classroom material, the CADS lab works hard to curb additional feelings of intimidation caused by tutoring. Always conscientious, CADS personnel provide students with a welcoming atmosphere with tutors who understand student's academic frustrations.
"We don't just help students with the subject they are having trouble with, we help with time management, giving the students a feeling of belonging, all in a good atmosphere," said Linda Zilgmy, the tutorial coordinator for CADS. "I try to make it fun for the students."
When senior international business major Amy Khoury felt like she was running against a wall in her calculus class, she turned to the CADS lab. Not only did she get the assistance she needed, she also improved her grade by about two letters.
"Compared to my understanding in class it was a million times better with my tutor," Khoury said. "The one-on-one time made it much easier to ask questions that specifically met my needs."
While she was hesitant at first to reach out for help, Khoury credits her CADS tutor as being patient and overall very understanding.
"I am usually the one who helps others so it was hard for me to get help for myself," Khoury said. "My tutor was very intelligent and helpful. She understood where I was coming from. She was very advanced in calculus, yet did not make it intimidating for me to ask questions and admit what I did not understand."
Still can't find what you're looking for? Most departments have a list of students who have aced the class you're struggling with. The average cost is $10 per hour.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
