This year, one of Auburn's academic resources celebrates its 35th year of tutoring Auburn students in a variety of courses.
Study Partners, located on the 2nd Floor of the Ralph Brown Draughon Library, is a free tutoring program sponsored by Academic Support Services, which assists currently enrolled Auburn students with their academics.
"Its been around for a long time, but when it started out, it was in the basement of the library and there were only five or 10 tutors," said Amanda Cameron, Study Partners graduate assistant. "It's really grown a lot in the last four or five years."
Despite its humble origins, Study Partners now has a large number of qualified tutors.
Study Partners tutors are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA and have earned an "A" or high "B" in the particular subject in which they tutor.
"We have approximately 85 tutors who are primarily undergrads, with a couple of professional and graduate students who generally tutor undergrads, as well in a lot of different subjects," Cameron said.
Although finding enough time in the day to squeeze in a tutor is difficult, Study Partners' appointment scheduling makes the process easy.
Appointments are made using the online scheduling system, SARS, at any time, day or night.
However, as demand for tutors increases, scheduling times are becoming less available.
"We are in the process of trying to hire more tutors because there is so much demand," Cameron said. "People are starting to find out about us more, and we are trying to meet that demand by hiring more tutors."
Prior to making an appointment, students need to know the course name and number. Each appointment is a 50-minute session, and each student is guaranteed their own Study Partners experience.
"A tutoring session usually includes meeting the client and asking questions like what class they are in, what teacher they have, whether they are coming before a test or after a bad grade," said Phylesia Hill, Study Partners tutor. "From there, it really depends on the student because everyone learns differently."
Study Partners has helped many students, but once a student decides to take part in Study Partners, it's really up to the student whether they benefit from the sessions.
"When they come back regularly, they really do seem to do better in those classes," Cameron said. "When they only show up once, it's not as effective, but when they keep coming back and keep working on their subject, it really does help them out and, of course, it makes us feel good to see students come back."
With a mission to provide quality one-on-one and small-group tutoring for undergraduate courses, Study Partners strives, and often succeeds, in creating independent learners.
Although Study Partners has grown drastically since it began as a five-man operation in the basement of the University's library, it continues to grow.
Study Partners will continue to get their name out to the student body and will hold an event for National Tutor Week.
Between Oct. 7-11, Study Partners will have a bulletin board on the 2nd Floor library hall so students are able to publically show their appreciation for those who have assisted them.
For more information call the office at 334-844-5702.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
