Tutoring Services and the Writing Center empower students to succeed

As the fall semester begins, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is inviting the campus community to learn more about its Tutoring Services and Writing Center at an open house on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 4-7 p.m. on the first floor of Karrmann Library. Attendees will be able to meet tutors, learn how to make appointments, become familiar with the space and more. These free resources, available to all students through appointments made in Navigate360, offer essential academic assistance and support to help students succeed.

Tutoring Services and the Writing Center are located on the first floor of Karrmann Library and employ nearly 40 student tutors. During the spring 2024 semester alone, the team held over 1,300 appointments. The sessions cover approximately 120 different courses, not including the Writing Center sessions, which assist students with writing across any discipline or class.

"The tutors genuinely like helping their clients," said Kathryn Weller, Tutoring Services program manager. "They all come in with that real desire to see their peers succeed."

Recent client surveys reflected this, with a 98% satisfaction rate.

"One of the things we consistently hear from clients in our surveys is that our tutors never make them feel bad for not understanding," said Weller. "They do a great job welcoming students to the space, saying 'we're so glad you are here and how can I help you more.'"

Brooke Mallek, one of the 400-plus students who took advantage of Tutoring Services last year, agrees with this sentiment. A sophomore agriculture education major from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Mallek has used tutoring services and the Writing Center since her first semester on campus and says she appreciates learning from her peers because they are relatable.

"A lot of people don't want to take the extra step to go to tutoring because they are afraid of judgement, but there is none here," she said. "This environment is definitely inclusive; it's a safe space. If you don't know something, that's okay, the [peer tutors] are here to teach us."

Ella Heim is a senior from Dubuque, Iowa. As a biology major with an animal science minor, she tutors courses ranging from biology to anatomy to introduction to animal science. She also added Study Skills to her tutoring availability - an offering that gives students general advice on time management, note taking, study strategies, effective reading strategies and navigating Canvas.

"Study Skills serves as a way for students to come in and get advice on how to study, how to take notes the proper way, and how to take better advantage of class time or time with their professors," explained Heim, who added that the most common request is how to study better for exams.

Zach Jensen is a senior majoring in engineering physics and mathematics, from Appleton, Wisconsin. Reflecting on his five semesters as a tutor, Jensen echoes others' sentiment about the supportive, welcoming environment Tutoring Services offers clients, but he also emphasizes the benefits the peer tutors themselves gain.

"Being a tutor allows me to build up my knowledge of previous content, because I have to understand it from a new lens and a different perspective," he said. "Teaching makes you better at learning."

For more information about UW-Platteville's Tutoring Services, visit www.uwplatt.edu/department/student-advising-academic-resources/tutoring-services.

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