Tutoring at South: Ten Academic Support Systems on Campus
There are many different tutoring centers available at South Seattle College. There may even be some you had no idea existed! Each center specializes in a unique tutoring service, and many aren’t just for students who are having difficulties in a particular class. Students can use these services to do homework, ask questions when they need it and generally improve study skills.
These helpful centers also aren’t just for academic subjects; professional-technical program tutoring is also available. All ten of these tutoring centers are free and open to South students, so be sure to utilize them!
Business & Accounting Center
Located on the second floor of Olympic Hall in room 205 is the Business and Accounting Tutor Center. Tutors here specialize in business, accounting, economics, calculus and statistics. There are lots of computers and a printer for students to use.
You can work on homework on the computers there, and when a problem troubles you, there are four tutors available and willing to help. The Business & Accounting Tutor Center is open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and is a drop-in tutoring center.
“Tutoring centers give more opportunities for the students to learn. This center is a place to work or sometimes for a single question and everything falls in line after that.” –Kenneth Cohea, Accounting Tutor
Geek Hauz (Computer Learning Center)
The Geek Hauz can help you with your computer technology classes and with troubleshooting computer problems. They can help students with networking, operating systems, data base, web design, and programming issues. They also have access to specialists in computer hardware and students are able to bring in their broken laptops to get fixed.
There is no appointment needed, just walk in! They are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is one tutor available during those times. The Geek Hauz is located in the Technology Center in room 129.
MALL (Math and Learning Lab)
At MALL you can stop by for a math problem you’ve been stuck on or stay and complete your homework so that if you have a question you can immediately receive assistance. There is assistance for developmental math classes and two to three tutors available. There are lots of computers available to work at. MALL is open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. It is located on the second floor of the library in LIB 215 and 216 and no appointment is needed just drop-in.
MAST (Math and Science Tutoring Center)
MAST is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There are three to six tutors available each day for a variety of subjects, from physics to pre-calculus. There are tables for specific subjects so that you can sit with a study group and collaborate. There are also lots of computers available for students to use. No appointment needed, just drop-in for some help!
At MAST you can sit and complete your homework with some help from a tutor if needed. Tutors at MAST can help you identify your struggles in math or sciences and provide advice on how to succeed.
“The tutors here have a broad knowledge and are able to help me in multiple subjects.”
- Sarah Campos, Academic Transfer student
Study Skills Tutoring
Study Skills Tutor Center is located in the Robert Smith Building, room 12. Study Skills Tutoring is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from the late morning to midafternoon. There is a schedule book there where you pick a time that works best for you. Sessions are about 45 minutes but can be shorter if you’d like.
Study Skills tutors can help you improve skills such as using textbooks effectively, setting goals, studying for memory and recall, understanding what you read, avoiding procrastination, and taking good notes. You do need an appointment for a study skills session, it is not a drop-in center. The sessions are held in the WALL.
Carla [study skills tutor] helps me with my time management and striking a balance between family and school.”
– Meera Kandasamy, A.S. Biology
WALL (Writing and Learning Lab)
WALL is open to all students, but it specializes in helping students whose first language is not English. They also tutor in the courses: GED, ESL, ABE, and IEP. It is located in RSB 16 and is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is one to four tutors available each day. They offer help with writing homework, language games, grammar and speaking practice, basic academic skills, and sentence development.
"I go here to improve my writing skills so that I can get better grades in my classes."
– Omer Furkan Onal, South student
Writing Center
The Writing Center is located on the second floor of the library in room 205. They are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. There is two to three tutors available each day. You can make an appointment or drop in, but they cannot guarantee a conference if it is busy. Conferences are about 30 minutes long and you are allowed three conferences per assignment.
The Writing Center will not edit for you, they are there to provide feedback on your writing. There is also computers and a printer in the Writing Center.
"I like to go here to get help and check my grammar on my essays to make sure it is a good essay before I turn it in."
–Thao, Engineering
Online Tutoring
This is another great option for tutoring, especially if you are unable to go to the hours of the other centers. This center offers tutoring in accounting, American Sign Language (ASL), anatomy & physiology, biology, chemistry (general-organic), computer science, economics, math (developmental through calculus), Microsoft Office, physics, Spanish, statistics, web development and writing.
There are three ways to connect with an eTutor. You can submit a draft of your paper to an eTutor and receive feedback on your work within 24-48 hours. You can also ask a specific question and an eTutor will respond within 48 hours (generally sooner). The last way to interact with the eTutors is a live web conference where students and tutors can interact via chat, whiteboard, file and screen sharing, and/or audio and video tools. To get set up with online tutoring email marinanna.asaturova@seattlecolleges.edu with the subject line “Online Tutoring” and you’ll receive an email with a username, password and information how to access e-tutoring service.
Personal Tutor
If you are truly struggling to pass an academic or vocational course, this may be the best option for you. If MAST or the Writing Center just isn’t enough this could work for you. To request a tutor fill out a “Request for Tutor” form located in Robert Smith room 12 (Tutor Center), get your instructor to sign and date it, and return the completed form back to the Tutor Center. The majority of the tutors available are South students so they will know what you’re going through, they know the instructors and criteria.
You will be able to meet with your tutor up to three hours a week for help for each course. Your tutor will be patient and help you to learn on your own. You can also receive tutoring in small groups for the same subject. For small group tutoring there will be one tutor for multiple students in the same course.
TRiO Student Success Services (TRiO SSS)
TRiO can become your go-to place to do your homework, or get help for a project from experienced tutors. This center is funded by the US Department of Education, and specializes in guiding eligible students to graduate and transfer to four year colleges and universities. Students who frequent TRiO maintain higher GPA’s, they are more likely to be involved on campus, and succeed at higher rates.
To use TRiO services, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the US, enrolled in an Academic Transfer program, and you must have created an education plan with an advisor at South. You also must meet one or more of the following: be a first generation college student, income eligible, or have a documented disability. If you think you are eligible and want to join, submit an application to TRiO, located in RSB 67. If you’re accepted you will participate in a mid-quarter progress report check in with your instructors, work with an advisor, and utilize at least one TRiO-SSS service each quarter. TRiO-SSS is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"This is a good place to get someone to help me with my math one on one." –Tierra Amili, South student