New freshmen on campus may be wondering how they are going to balance all their classes, studying and homework with their newfound freedom as college students. Luckily, the Learning Center, located in Tator Hall, offers numerous ways for students to adjust to the stress that college life brings.
The center offers tutoring for all students in over 200 courses, writing instruction for all courses and computer training, as well as periodic seminars and educational workshops. The services are free to all Quinnipiac students.
Judy Villa, the Assistant Director of the Learning Center, feels the most important thing for students to know is the fact that only “students who are failing their classes” come to the Learning Center is a myth.
According to Villa, 40% of the Learning Center’s “clients” made the Dean’s List last semester. Additionally, over 4,000 tutoring appointments were made at the Learning Center last fall.
“There is absolutely no shame in visiting the Learning Center,” said Villa.
Nancy Hall, a sophomore and tutor at the center, also feels that students thinking about visiting the facility should not be ashamed or embarrassed to seek help.
“Everyone who works at the Learning Center is there because they want to help people realize their full potential and build their confidence as students and as people,” said Hall. “It is not just for students who are in danger of failing a class – people of all academic standings come to the center to improve themselves,” she continued.
All tutors and Learning Center staff are also upheld to a code of ethics in which a student’s right to confidentiality is protected.
Hall also feels that there is a very welcoming atmosphere in the Learning Center.
“As a new tutor for the Learning Center, I already feel the sense of family and community within the center. These students are dedicated to helping others,” said Hall.
“I am finding that with each day I work in the Learning Center, I meet more and more of the nicest and genuinely kindhearted people that this school has to offer,” she added.
In addition to tutoring, the Learning Center also offers Learning Skills Seminars. Examples of the topics covered are “Take Good Notes – Get Good Grades,” “Write the Right Essay,” and “Run, Don’t Walk, From Plagiarism.”
These seminars are offered throughout the semester, but a student who is interested in a certain topic may receive the seminar one-on-one with a trained tutor.
The Learning Center also utilizes an “early warning system” in which professors are required to report students who appear to be having trouble within the first few weeks of classes. The student must then meet with Andrew Delohery, the Director of the Learning Center, to discuss and address the situation. This system serves as an avenue for students to receive assistance early on before their situation becomes a serious problem.
Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), students who disclose learning or physical disabilities are entitled to academic accommodation through the Learning Center.
Students interested in any of the Learning Center’s services are encouraged to visit the Learning Center in Tator Hall 119 or to contact Villa at x5260.
The Center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, and from 3p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
