ACADEMIC SUPPORT TALKING POINTS
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“What does the LASSO Center offer?”
- Tutoring – One-on-one appointments with over 100 course options; appointments are tailored to the student’s needs and questions. Students can also schedule specific appointments for academic support, where tutors assist with skills such as time management, note-taking, exam preparation, and study skills.
- Supplemental Instruction – Group learning that applies knowledge in practice outside of class, interactive discussion, and exam preparation.
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"Does the LASSO Center offer events or workshops?"
Yes, the LASSO Center hosts events and workshops to help students learn more about the LASSO Center and build the skills they need to succeed in college. If you would like to request a presentation from the LASSO Center, you are welcome to fill out the request form, and we will connect with you to discuss the presentation details and the content you would like covered.
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"How do I make an appointment?"
Visit the LASSO Center website or the LASSO Center's Slate portal to schedule a tutoring appointment. Students may also visit the LASSO Center's SI Canvas community page to view the schedule for walk-in hours and sessions. SI is not appointment-based, and students are welcome to attend any session.
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"Can I get some more information about SI?"
SI consists of regularly scheduled, voluntary, out-of-class group sessions and walk-in times driven by students’ needs. Sessions are facilitated by trained peer leaders who also attend course lectures and use collaborative activities to promote peer-to-peer interaction in small groups. Our purpose is to improve student grades, increase retention in foundational courses, and increase preparedness for future coursework. There are three sessions each week, two in person and one online. All three sessions that take place within a week cover the same subject matter.
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"I am not a science major, so I don't need tutoring."
The LASSO Center welcomes students from all majors. We offer a wide range of general education, foreign language and humanities courses. We encourage you to explore our course options and try a session!
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"I have test anxiety, which affects my performance."
Encourage the student to talk with a tutor about test-prep strategies, and remind them that the LASSO Center can help build confidence through practice, not just content review. Referring the student to other university resources, such as counseling, can also be impactful.
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"I used to be a good student, but I am now struggling."
This is a good moment to remind a student that they are not alone and that many students on campus quietly face this struggle. Reassure the student that this does not define them, and meeting with a tutor early can help pinpoint what has changed (course difficulty, study habits, workload, etc.).
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"I am considering changing my major because it is too hard."
Encourage students to try tutoring before making that decision. Sometimes it may be a study-strategy issue rather than a fit issue. A tutor can help clarify course materials and build new study habits.
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“I feel like I am falling behind and don’t know how to catch up.”
Recommend scheduling a tutoring appointment soon rather than waiting. Tutors can help prioritize what to catch up on first, rather than trying to do everything at once.
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“Can a tutor help me with the Math Placement Exam?”
The LASSO Center offers math placement tutoring for all undergraduate students. Once a student is enrolled in courses, they can make an appointment for math placement tutoring. Our tutors will help students prepare for the exam and focus on any specific modules a student may request during their tutoring session. Math placement tutoring is available year-round.
Your voice matters
Faculty and staff members often receive questions from students about academic support. As these questions arise, please encourage students to make an academic support appointment with a tutor, who can help identify the root cause of the problem and introduce strategies for success.
Questions may include:
“How do I structure my study sessions?”
“I feel overwhelmed by my schedule and have no time for myself.”
“I am unable to complete my assignments on time.”
“How do I read a textbook?”
“I study for hours, but I still don’t understand the material.”
“How do I take better notes?”
“I don’t know whether I am studying the right things.”
“I don’t feel motivated to complete my coursework.”
As a faculty or staff member, it is important to encourage a growth mindset and remind students that they CAN do this! Using the support resources will help them overcome these barriers. Students may resist attending tutoring because they believe it signals they aren’t succeeding. Remind students that using tutoring is not a sign they are behind; rather, it’s what strong students do to stay ahead.