If classes are already becoming too stressful, students can take advantage of tutoring services through a number of programs, including Academic Learning Services.
Located in room 68 PLC, the center offers everything from tutoring to test preparations.
Sophomore psychology major Rufina Miranda is no stranger to ALS and has used its services to help her tackle difficult assignments and boost her grades in the past.
“The center made it easier to work on my Writing 121 essays last year,” she said.
Miranda plans to visit the center this fall for help in her math class because she said she benefited from the assistance she received last year.
“It definitely helped me because it’s not just a friend helping you,” Miranda said. “It gives me a reason to work harder.”
ALS offers a number of services to both undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty. Among the options offered are tutors in French, Spanish, chemistry and physics courses. ALS also conducts free drop-in math and writing labs. The math lab is staffed with department majors and graduate students, and writing lab staff members have taught writing courses at post-secondary levels.
“It’s a comprehensive learning center,” said Kim Lilley, ALS office manager and tutorial supervisor.
Lilley said she makes sure students are properly matched with tutors, and she also works closely with the Small Group Tutorials, another tutoring option.
Small Group Tutorials are designed for students who prefer group assistance rather than one-on-one help. Groups consist of up to six students, and are offered for science, math and foreign language courses.
“It is a very solid program,” Lilley said.
Small Group Tutorials meet for two hours every week and cost $80 per course.
For students who need help with subjects that are not high in demand, ALS can still help. Through its registry of tutors, ALS provides students with information for hiring private tutors.
“We always provide a resource,” Lilley said.
Other opportunities for academic support include Student Support Services and the McNair Scholars Program. These two services offer broad academic assistance. Student Support Services is specifically designed to help nontraditional students earn their bachelor’s degrees, and the McNair Scholars Program helps students prepare for graduate school.
Faculty and graduate students can also benefit from ALS. The Teaching Effectiveness Program is offered to University staff. The program offers many ways for professors, graduate students and university departments to improve their teaching methods through workshops.
Qualified students seeking employment are welcome to apply at ALS.
“We are always looking for tutors,” said ALS office assistant Kalindi Devi-Dasi.
Prospective tutors can pick up applications in the ALS office and must include credible references and an academic transcript. All ALS tutors are paid.
In addition to these services, the center also offers test preparations for the LSAT, the CBEST, the MCAT and the GRE/GMAT.
ALS is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, visit its web site at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~als/.