College parenting means being concerned about many things when your student heads off to school.  Naturally, one of the major areas of focus is your student’s academic success. You want your student to learn.  You want your student to get good grades.  You want your student to take the appropriate courses to be able to find a good job or get into a good graduate program.  

Working with a good advisor will help your student make the course and schedule choices that are appropriate.  Learning in those courses and achieving good grades includes many factors. Some of the most successful students may be those who have mastered three important skills.  They understand the differences between high school work and college level work; they have learned the skill of good time management; and they seek the support or help that they may need early in the game.

One important source of help in a course is the professor.  Students who work at making an out-of-class connection with their professor, perhaps during office hours, can receive some of the help and guidance that they need.  Another important source of support, often overlooked until too late, is the help of a tutor – for a specific subject or for several subjects.   Good students know how to take advantage of the possibilities of good tutoring – early in the semester before trouble starts.

Why not wait for tutoring until trouble happens?

Getting help with course work is always a good idea – no matter when it happens.  Even when it occurs at the last minute, getting help with a paper, or help understanding important concepts, or help studying for a test, can make a difference.  However, starting early to work regularly with a tutor – especially for a difficult subject – can make a significant difference.  Here are twelve reasons why starting tutoring early can help your college student.

• Real learning takes time.  Starting with a tutor early in the semester gives your student a chance to learn concepts slowly and solidly.
• Early work with a tutor helps your student grasp foundational concepts on which more difficult work may be build.  Getting the basic building blocks early can prevent difficulty later in the semester; it’s a proactive approach.
• Beginning early means that your student and his tutor will have time to get to know one another. They will have time to establish the rapport that can make a difference in how they work together.  The more that the tutor works with your student, the more he will get to know her strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles.  This means that the tutor will know best what areas need to be addressed and what style of approach will work best.
• Early work will mean that early homework assignments will be done correctly.  This translates to a higher grade average and less jeopardy occurring later in the semester.  It lowers the stakes for one major event such as a midterm or final exam.
• Your student will learn early some of the important study techniques of successful students.  The tutor serves as an important role model as your student learns how to “do college” successfully.
• The professor will see that your student is taking the course seriously and working hard to do his best work.  That message of effort is important.
• Your student may build confidence in his learning abilities as he successfully navigates work that the tutor may assign.  This may help with his motivation to continue to do well.
• Your student will establish a relationship and make a new friend – a role model of good academic skills as well as a role model of helping others.

(reprinted from http://www.collegeparents.org/members/resources/articles/tutoring-can-help-your-college-student-succeed-twelve-reasons-start-early)

Encourage your student to visit the Bear Claw to learn more about tutoring here at Missouri State.   This interactive space in Meyer Library unites the resources and expertise of the faculty, library personnel, computer and information technology, the Writing Center, subject-area tutoring, Absent Professor Program, PSY 121 Undergraduate Learning Assistants and PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) in an environment that fosters informal, collaborative work and social interaction. Bear CLAW tutoring services vary by subject. The Bear CLAW space is open during regular Library hours. Business course tutors, Mathematics tutors,  and Science tutors are available on a drop-in basis.

• Tutoring for various subjects by appointment.
• Workshops to improve student success.
• Employment or volunteer service opportunities.
• Scholarship Renewal Program for service hours.
• Convenient location of the Writing Center.
• Faculty recommended student tutors.
• Centralize location for PSY 121 Undergraduate Learning Assistants

Do you have questions about Missouri State and the programs offered? “Ask Priscilla” at pchildress@missouristate.edu or at (417) 836-3060.