Tutoring Services FAQs

 

Below are frequently asked questions about Tutoring Services at Clark College. Click on a question to read the answer.

Who should get tutoring? Isn’t tutoring just for students who are doing badly in their classes?

Anyone can benefit from tutoring! Tutoring is a habit of engaged, successful students who care about their learning. It can help students ease anxiety about difficult courses, deepen understanding and retention of course content, and help develop more effective study skills.

How can a tutor help me?

Your tutor will work with you to help you understand where you are having difficulty and how to find strategies to overcome obstacles to learning. A tutor can help you gain new perspectives on your learning by asking questions, explaining concepts in different ways, sharing examples and resources, helping connect prior knowledge to current classes, suggesting study strategies, providing encouragement, and more.

What DON’T tutors do?

Tutors will not do the work for you, edit, correct, fix, or tell you what to write. They cannot provide feedback about grades, guarantee success in a class, or assist with take-home exams, unless the instructor provides explicit written approval.

Why do I have to sign in when I visit a tutoring center?

Signing in helps track the usage of the center. We use this information to get funding, ensure adequate tutoring coverage, and inform operational decisions.

Can I get tutoring at Clark College if I’m not an enrolled student?

No, you must be a currently enrolled student to use the Clark College tutoring centers.

Is there help available for Transitional Studies classes?

Yes. Please visit the Tutoring Services web page for information about assistance with College and Academic Prep, GED Preparation, High School Completion, and English as a Second Language classes. View the schedules for the STEM Center and Language and Writing Center to see the support available.

How do I make an appointment?

Appointments are available at the Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math Center or the Language & Writing Center. Appointments are best scheduled in person by stopping in the appropriate center. Our friendly desk staff will review tutor schedules with you to find options that best meet your needs. You can also call the center where you want to make an appointment.

Do I have to make an appointment or can I just come in?

If you have quick questions or an unexpected need for assistance, drop-in tutoring is available in all centers. Tutors may be helping several students or groups of students from different classes at the same time. Students are assisted on a first-come, first-served basis, so be prepared to wait, especially during peak hours.

How long is a tutoring appointment?

In most cases, tutoring appointments are 30 minutes long.

How many appointments can I have per week?

You can schedule 1-2 appointments per subject each week, depending on tutor availability. For example, if you need help with chemistry and writing, you can schedule 1-2 appointments with a chemistry tutor and 1-2 appointments with a writing tutor.

I don’t think one appointment is long enough. Can I schedule two appointments back-to-back?

No. Appointments are designed to address students’ top priorities and get them “unstuck” so they can continue moving forward independently. After meeting with a tutor, students should work independently and attempt to make progress before scheduling another appointment.

What if I can’t come to campus? Can I just email you my assignment or talk to a tutor on the phone? Can my friend bring in my assignment and talk to a tutor for me?

No. Tutoring requires active participation. You must be present and engaged.

Who are the tutors? What are their credentials?

The majority of tutors are Clark College students who have successfully completed the courses they tutor and received a faculty recommendation. In addition to a strong academic record, our peer tutors also participate in comprehensive tutor training, mentoring, and ongoing professional development activities. Our paraprofessional tutors have graduated from Clark or another institution with a strong academic record in the subject(s) they tutor. Adjunct and full-time faculty also assist students in the tutoring centers.

Can I work with the same tutor every time? Can I change tutors if one isn’t a good fit for me?

Generally speaking, it’s up to you. You can make regular weekly appointments with a particular tutor. If your tutor is not a good fit, please speak with the desk staff to discuss other options. They are happy to work with you to find someone who better suits your learning style and needs. Drop-in tutoring is on a first-come, first-served basis, and tutor availability is not guaranteed.

Do you provide referrals for private tutors? Can I hire your tutors for private tutoring?

Sorry, we are unable to provide referrals or facilitate arrangements for private tutoring.

Will my tutor share information from my tutoring session with my instructor?

No, your tutoring session is confidential.

I need to study for a standardized text (such as the GED, SAT, ACT, Compass, etc). Can a tutor help me prep for the test?

If you are an enrolled Clark College student and you have a subject-specific question about the material you are reviewing, a tutor can attempt to help you. Students can also access practice tests and other materials via the Learning Express Library on the Clark College Library web page. Tutors do not create study excises for standardized tests, and they may not be familiar with the test you are planning to take.

Can I use a tutoring center computer to complete my homework or write my paper?

Yes. Please keep in mind that tutoring is an interactive process. People will be moving around and having conversations in the center. We try to minimize unnecessary distractions, but it can get noisy sometimes.

Are there printers in the tutoring centers?

Yes. Printing fees will be deducted from your student print account.

What should I do if I have a problem with tutoring?

If you have any questions or concerns about tutoring services, contact the Program Manager, Janice Taylor, at 992-2773.