Tutoring Services is tucked away on the second floor of the library, though many students may not know it was there if they aren’t looking for it. While it may be a little hidden, it certainly isn’t lacking in spirit. Tutors in the center work every day to help students achieve their academic goals, whether that’s through 1 on 1 sessions, group sessions, or something different entirely.
One tutor who is working to help students reach their goals is Ayden Brandel who has been tutoring since spring semester of 2023. Brandel shared that one of the things that made him want to become a tutor was the community aspect. Part of this community is created by the fact that the tutors consist of peers.
“I think the most important part to remember is that you’re a student too…we’re not here to lecture people. We’re just here to talk about stuff,” Brandel said.
While tutoring might not seem like the most fun thing to some people, the community is what makes tutoring services fun. Because tutors are other students, the atmosphere is welcoming, and things don’t always have to be as serious in tutoring services.
“It’s not a scary environment in there at all. No one really judges anything.” Brandel said.
There are always going to be different kinds of people in tutoring services, which can be seen in tutors and tutees alike, since there are so many subjects and so many majors. The tutors provide a face-to-face experience that can often get lost in online tutoring. They can also serve as a peer connection for those who maybe haven’t connected with an RA, talked to their advisor, or are just having some trouble communicating.
Though Winona State can’t always see the impact tutors have, a campus without them would make the lives of a lot of people more difficult.
“I think there will be a lot of students who don’t get the grade they wanted, or if they would it would just take a lot more time, ” Jillian Quandt, the Associate Director for Tutoring Services, said.
Tutoring is an important facet of Winona State, as well as student success. Tutors play a big role in assisting students so they can reach their academic potential. However, this doesn’t always mean that they are working on solving specific problems. Quandt discussed that a big part of tutoring is helping students develop effective study skills. Tutoring Services and the Academic Affairs committee of the Student Senate even collaborated on an event dedicated to this very thing. Quandt said that she hopes this event helps people develop these effective study skills, and that this event allowed students to familiarize themselves with the tutors.
Quandt shared a good piece of advice, “The minute your brain, your inner, wiser self says, ‘I wonder if I should use tutoring?’ the answer is yes.”
There is no shame in going to tutoring services. Everyone needs a bit of a nudge in the right direction sometimes. Sometimes classes are confusing, and the content doesn’t make sense, or maybe you have a test and are unsure of how to study for it. Whatever the reason may be, tutors are always happy to do their best to help out. So, if you do find yourself pondering going to tutoring, it may be beneficial to just give it a try.
