For students interested in gaining some service hours as well as boosting their resumes, on-campus tutoring training begins today in Mitchell Hall.
Training is available for all students, including freshmen, who are interested in tutoring college students in subjects like English, business, math and science.
Students interested must have at least a B+ in the subject(s) that they wish to tutor, as well as a recommendation from a University of Memphis faculty member.
"Tutoring is highly recommended for scholarship students," said Barbara Bekis, Education Support Program coordinator. "Training is included in service hours, and junior and senior honor students may get an internship that includes class credit and a stipend."
Students are required to attend all of the five training sessions necessary to tutor. They meet today, Jan. 27, Feb. 2, 3 and 9 from 2:40 to 4:30 p.m. in Mitchell Hall, room 403.
"Training time goes fast. There's plenty of active involvement," Bekis said.
Students will learn the roles and responsibilities of a tutor, how to encourage the learner and learning strategies that are recommended for college students.
"Students think that whatever study habits that worked for them in high school will work for them in college," Bekis said. "They won't."
Tutors can select the learning center of their choice, and ESP will work with individuals' schedules.
"I would fall behind if I didn't use (the ESP service) because my teacher is really hard to understand," said Atira Sherrod, a freshman pre-med major being tutored in chemistry. "My tutor is really good, too."
Bekis said that as well as getting scholarship hours, tutoring is extremely beneficial for students in their future career and academic opportunities.
Most tutors increase their own grade point averages and learn how to improve their own learning techniques, she said. Tutors will also develop interpersonal skills and improve their resumes. Bekis said that eventually tutors might be offered paid job opportunities on campus and off, as well as internships.
Private scholarships may also be awarded to students involved with the ESP.
Sophomore Allan Banks works in the ESP center.
"I've always been good at tutoring. So I can do this and get some scholarship hours out of the way," he said. "Plus, it's nice to see the students I work with at the end of the semester having some success in their classes."
For more information on tutoring, students can contact Bekis at 678-2704.
