SIs Lend A Helping Hand to Students' Academic Journeys

by Nora Bittar

For any 4C’s students looking for academic support, help is just around the corner.

College classes can introduce unfamiliar topics to students. Sometimes the information sticks, but other times it may be harder to retain. Luckily, the 4C’s has many resources available for students.

The Supplemental Instruction program matches an SI leader with an entire class to provide tutoring help to students. SI leaders are students who have already successfully completed a certain course.

"A student who has already been in that class and has done well will come back and help students with study skills and course material," Chris Cogswell, the program coordinator," says.

She says Sl leaders help students to look at the material from a different point of view. Working with an Sl leader may also offer students a more in-depth look at of the material.

"Getting a student to talk or meet with an Sl leader or tutor one time makes the student feel more comfortable, and they realize how helpful it is," Cogwellsays.

The Sl leaders schedule weekly group study sessions as well as private one-on-one lessons. There are also some SI leaders who work with students in the classroom to aid instructors, especially in English classes. Even students who do well in their course are able to schedule meetings or ask questions to gain a better understanding of the material.

Some classes do not have Sl leaders. Gateway classes, classes students need to take in order to graduate, are the classes that are supported by the Sl program. That being said, there is still a wide range of classes that are supported by the program.

"Usually science and English classes are, and we also have psychology. This semester  we just added macroeconomics." Cogswell says.

Students who do not have access to an SI leader can stop by the tutoring center to receive one-on-one help. The tutoring center is another resource for students to receive academic support.

The tutoring center is welcome to everyone, Cogswell says "We love to see all the students come by."

Students can book appointments through Navigate, which you can access by signing into your My4Cs account. If you are unable to make an appointment through Navigate, you can always stop by the tutoring center.

"It's not only beneficial for the students, but it's also beneficial for the Sl leaders," Cogswell says.

She noted that after spending a semester as an SI leader, students can become more confident with learning course material. Some, she says, students loved their SI leadership positions so much that they found themselves wanting to pursue education.

The Sl program has been at 4C’s since 2016, and, since then, the program has had over  I00 Sl Leaders.

Students usually become SI leaders through recommendations by an instructor who feels they have done very well in their course. Another way students can become SI leaders is by gaining recognition for their accomplishments, such as scholarships or awards, which suggests they could be qualified.

Tutoring is located in the MM Wilkens Hall Room  Ill. You can also call 774-330-4352.

For more information  about the SI program: Contact Chris Cogswell at [email protected]

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