Located in Western Washington University’s library in Wilson 280, the Tutoring Center provides academic assistance to students for free. Here, peer tutors explain class concepts and assist with an in-depth understanding of course materials.
From math to astronomy to psychology, the center has different options for tutoring: drop-in studying with one-on-one assistance, study skill appointments which are scheduled meetings facilitated by a peer tutor, and study tables which are spaces to study and ask questions to any available tutor.
Kate Johnson, a Western senior and tutor at the center for two years, specializes in tutoring biology, chemistry, math and physics, though she most often tutors organic chemistry. Johnson sheds light on what working for the center is like, and reflects on how it serves Western students, especially during the chaos of midterm season.
Q: Tell me a little bit about what it's like working here and supporting students during the midterm season.
We definitely have a lot more students coming in during midterm season, but it's really fun. The students who come in are students who want to learn so it's really fun to help teach them, especially about the subjects that I really enjoy.
Q: What does a day in your life look like here as a tutor?
Normally, I come in and I say hi to everybody, I sit down and I set up my computer, and students will send in chats. I'll go up to them, introduce myself, ask them what they're working on, and then help them through what they're struggling with. Then I'm all done, and I move on to the next student.
Q: What kinds of questions or challenges do students often bring up to you?
Normally, it’ll be students coming in for help on specific homework assignments and things like that. But during midterms, I find that a lot of times students are coming in with study guides and going through topics that they're not fully confident in, and then I kind of run them through like a crash course on the topic.
Q: What strategies do you use to help students study more effectively or feel more confident?
A lot of times, I'll try to incorporate different learning and teaching styles. I try to do a mixture of me actually lecturing and teaching, and then I'll draw a lot of things on the board, and then once I explain the topic, I'll have them contribute, come up on the board, and try to solve different problems. Or, I'll ask them questions about what I just talked to them about and make sure that they understand it.
Q: What role do you think the Tutoring Center and student tutors play in student success here at Western?
I absolutely think that it’s beneficial to have peers who can help you. Sometimes students get a little intimidated by going to office hours and things like that. Students can come in here and they can sit down at a study table, and they can stay for two hours and have a tutor explain things to them. That doesn't really always happen during office hours. Sometimes you can go more in-depth at the tutoring center, and you can have more time.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to add about working here and serving Western students?
I think that the students who come in here are great students, and it's really fun to be able to help people get excited about learning and understanding. It's more fun when you understand things. Once you understand it, I notice that people are more excited, and they're like, ‘wow, this is really cool!’
Rosalie Johnson (she/her) is a campus life reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second year journalism major on the news/editorial track and aims to finish a minor through Western’s Honors College. Outside of reporting, she enjoys watching new movies and exploring Bellingham with friends. You can contact her at rosaliejohnson.thefront@gmail.com.
