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Tutoring & Research Resources for Students

As the sunny summer days wind to an end, the start of a new school year may seem like it’s arrived all too soon! Time, once again, to hit the books, prep for tests, and write papers. You’ve got a lot to juggle. After a long day of classes and extracurricular activities, you finally crack open your geometry textbook. You promptly discover that the Pythagorean Theorem really is “Greek” to you.

So you move on to the final edits of your English essay. But you fear your writing style is a bit wordy and you can never remember when to use “complement” or “compliment”. (And you suddenly recall that your geometry teacher said something just the other day about complementary angles. So you find yourself right back to where you started…you still have to do your geometry assignment!)

You can’t use the “dog ate my homework excuse” again; you must get these assignments done by tomorrow. But how? You think to yourself, “Don’t panic just yet. There’s got to be a way!” And, you’re right; there is! Whether you’re a high school or college student, you can get help with your coursework when you need it. Here’s how:

Online Tutoring
Some textbooks come with an online tutoring feature – a password-protected website that offers help with a subject. These supplementary e-learning tools are becoming increasingly available. Students who discover them are often pleasantly surprised at how helpful they can be – especially late at night or on a weekend! Sponsored by the book publisher, the range of services varies. Students may be able to:

• view instructional videos and/or ask questions to gain a clearer understanding of the subject matter,
• take practice quizzes and get immediate feedback,
• ask for ideas for research paper topics,
• seek guidance on how to improve essays and research papers through online writing labs.

In addition, Khan Academy, a non-profit educational organization provides lectures in the form of YouTube videos for a wide range of school subjects and grade levels. Using step-by-step doodles and diagrams presented on an electronic blackboard, Kahn Academy empowers students to learn at their own pace. (For example, here’s an Introduction to the Pythagorean Theorem.)

On-Campus Tutoring Programs
Schools maintain a myriad of on-campus services designed to support student success. While varied in their offerings, most high schools and colleges provide some tutorial support. Talk to your counselor to find out what is available to you.

Most of these services free; however, some are fee-based. Some of the programs employ teachers (or graduate students on college campuses). Others are peer-based, staffed by upper-class students.

Online Databases 
To facilitate research, many resources are available through a variety of online databases subscribed to by high school, college and public libraries. Resources that were extremely hard or impossible to access several years ago can now be delivered directly to your laptop! Some databases are free; others require a User ID (such as a library card number or school-assigned login information). Students who have questions about which databases to use for their research or how to search for information should turn to the experts: the librarians.

These databases cover everything from art and culture, to literature, history, science and contemporary issues. For example, the Library of Congress sponsors a database called American Memory. This digital record provides access to writings, speeches and images that chronicle America’s history. Another good resource is Google Scholar. Use it to search scholarly literature such as peer-reviewed papers, theses, and articles from academic publishers, professional associations and universities.

You’re Not Alone
If you’re wondering whether you’re the only student who could use a little help with your coursework every once in a while, rest assured you’re not. Online and on-campus tutoring services are in place because many students find they could use some help at times. So take advantage of these resources as needed to compliment complement your textbook and classroom learning.