Small-Group Course Tutoring

The Writing and Learning Commons provides free, small-group tutoring for more than 100 courses each semester. Tutoring is conducted on an appointment basis, and appointments must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. For more information about the ²’s course tutors and what to expect when you make an appointment, check out our FAQs below!  
 
If dz’r looking for help in a mathematics (MATH) or computer science (CS) class, the Mathematics Tutoring Center, located in 437 Stillwell , provides drop-in tutoring services for all lower-division math classes and many computer science courses.   

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

A: Course tutors are students who have successfully completed the tutored course, have received a recommendation from their professor to serve as a tutor, and have expressed a willingness to help other students be successful. Course tutors are trained by the WaLC on how to incorporate effective learning strategies into their sessions and how to facilitate tutoring sessions in a variety of formats, including individual sessions, group sessions, in-person appointments, and virtually.  

A: The WaLC provides course tutoring for more than 100 courses each semester. We identify courses to receive tutoring based on a number of factors including: student requests for tutoring in a specific class, average course grades over time, professors’ requests to have tutors assigned to their class, and the ²’s ability to identify and hire qualified peer tutors.  

A: First, talk to your professor. Visit your professor during their office hours or email them to schedule a time when you can meet. Be prepared to tell your professor which course topics dz’r having trouble with, what study strategies you are using, and what kind of help you need to be successful. Let your professor know that you are interested in meeting with a course tutor and ask if they can recommend a potential tutor to the WaLC. 

While dz’r waiting to talk with your professor, log in to Brainfuse, WCU’s online tutoring platform, and look for tutors who can assist with the subject. Brainfuse tutors are experts in their fields, and this service is free to all ĢƵstudents!  

If you need to develop different or better study strategies for the class, make an appointment with one of the ²’s academic skills consultants. Academic skills consultants are available to talk with you about time management, organization, note-taking, test-taking, reading, and study strategies. Visit the  ASC page  for downloadable academic success tools.  

Lastly, contact the WaLC to let us know that dz’r interested in seeing a tutor for the class. While we can’t guarantee that we will be able to hire a tutor for the course, it is important that we have a record of your request. Classes with multiple requests for tutoring are moved to the top of our priority list, and we need to have your information on file so we can reach out to you if a tutor is identified for your class.  

A: Course tutors are successful students who have previously taken the courses they are tutoring, but they are not currently in the course, and they may have taken the course with a different professor. If dz’v missed consecutive days of class, you will need to follow up with your professor to find out what you missed, review the material, and generate a list of questions or specific topics you want to review with your tutor. Bring all relevant materials (e.g., PowerPoints, lecture notes shared with you by another student, your textbook, any relevant assignment details) with you to your appointment.  

A: It depends! Both Course Tutors (CTs) and Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders are excellent resources, but they serve slightly different purposes. The best choice depends on what kind of support dz’r looking for, and many students benefit from using both.  

Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders: 

  • Attend your class regularly, so they are closely connected to what’s happening in your specific section throughout the semester.
  • Work with one professor and design their sessions around the material that was covered in class that week.
  • Lead structured SI sessions that focus on the most challenging or important concepts you are currently learning.
  • Emphasize collaborative learning and encourage students to work together to practice and deepen understanding.
  • Typically offer two SI sessions per week plus one office hour. The office hour is less structured and can function more like a drop-in tutoring session for individual questions. 

Course Tutors (CTs): 

  • May support multiple sections and different professors who teach the same course. They are not tied to one specific class.
  • Tailor their support to your individual needs, so you can bring questions from any topic, not just what was covered that week.
  • Are ideal if you want targeted help with specific assignments, concepts, or study questions.
  • Work with students in small groups of up to three individuals. Although it is possible to be the only student signed up for a group session, if you find yourself in a group, you can expect your CT to check in with everyone to determine shared areas of confusion.
  • Typically offer more flexible and wide-ranging availability than SI Leaders. 

So which should you choose? 

  • Go to SI sessions if you want structured, collaborative practice that closely follows your class and helps you stay on track week-to-week.
  • See a CT if you have specific questions, need individualized support, or want more flexible scheduling.
  • If possible, consider using BOTH: attend SI regularly to reinforce learning, and visit a CT when you need extra or personalized help. 

A: It depends! Each option serves slightly different purposes, but many students who are enrolled in a world language course benefit from using both. 

 Course tutors: 

  • Are students who have successfully completed courses in Japanese, German, French, or Spanish and have been recommended by their professor to serve as a tutor. 
  • Facilitate hour-long sessions focused on helping you review course content, identify successful study strategies for the course, and practice writing and speaking in the language. 

 Conversation assistants: 

  • Are typically native or heritage speakers of Spanish, Japanese, or French who are interested in sharing their culture and language with others. 
  • Focus on helping you speak the language more proficiently by identifying patterns of error that may interfere with your ability to communicate clearly.

  • Can assist any students who wish to develop or practice their speaking skills, even if they are not enrolled in a world language class. Conversation assistance sessions are excellent practice for any students who plan to  study abroad  in a country where Spanish, Japanese, or French is the primary language.

  • Work with you to identify conversation topics that are relevant to you and allow you to utilize your unique level of language knowledge and proficiency. 

  • Conduct 30-minute sessions focused on conversing in the target language. 

Many of the ²’s conversation assistants also work as language tutors, so if you are currently enrolled in a Spanish, Japanese, or French class, you may want to consider scheduling both conversation assistance and tutoring appointments. 

A: Nope! Tutoring is for any student who wants to improve their understanding of the course content, practice answering questions or solving problems similar to what ٳ’l see on their assignments and exams, or learn new strategies for organizing materials and studying. Tutoring is also an excellent way to meet other students in a particular discipline and hear their perspective on how the content in a course complements and relates to other courses in that discipline. 

A: The ²’s course tutors are here to help you improve your understanding of the course content, no matter what your level of understanding is when you visit. Because course tutors are typically working with only one to three students at a time, they will tailor each session to meet your needs. If you leave a comment for your tutor when you schedule your appointment in Navigate, it will allow your tutor to save some time at the beginning of your session because ٳ’l already have an idea of where you want to begin. Each tutoring session follows a similar pattern with three distinct parts:  

  • Beginning: During the first few minutes of your session, your tutor will ask questions to get to know you and your experience of the course. They will ask what you want to achieve in the session and will work with you to develop a plan for accomplishing your goals.  
  • Middle: The bulk of your session will be spent working towards your goal. Your tutor will encourage you to talk through difficult concepts; work through sample problems or questions; use class resources to answer questions; identify strategies for organizing, understanding, and practicing concepts; and correct your mistakes. 
  • End: At the end of the session, your tutor will ask you to reassess your progress and identify areas where you still have work to do. They may encourage you to write down any lingering questions so you can ask your professor for clarification. Lastly, your tutor will work with you to develop a plan for continued independent studying and practice.  

A: Below are a few quotes taken directly from surveys completed by students who visited the WaLC in spring 2026: 

  • “Having her as my tutor at the WaLC has made my learning experience ten times better. She has taught me a new way to study and digest the material while keeping it lighthearted and fun. I am truly grateful for her generosity and time she has dedicated to helping others.”
  • “My tutor is really amazing, and he helps me understand Japanese better. I don’t feel judged [about] what little I know or what I don’t know.”
  • “My tutor is amazing! I received very kind feedback and insightful tips to help improve the quality of my work!”
  • “My experience at the WaLC was extremely beneficial and I feel more prepared for my exam. In addition, the tutor and the environment were both very welcoming and I am very glad that I went.” 
A: The easiest way to schedule is through Navigate, which you can access from the  Advising and Tutoring  app in myĢƵor from  . Once there:
  1. Sign in with your Catamount email username and password.

  2. On the right-hand side of your Navigate homepage, click  Get Assistance.

  3. Under “What type of appointment would you like to schedule?” select Tutoring.

  4. Under the “Service” drop-down menu, select Course-based Tutoring.

  5. Click  Find Available Time  to see all upcoming options.

  6. Select your preferred appointment date and time from the choices provided.

  7. Review your appointment details and type a message for your tutor about your goals for the session in the box labelled, “Would you like to share anything else?”

  8. Check the box under “Text Message Reminder” and enter your phone number if you wish to receive a text reminder.

  9. Click  Schedule.

  10. Once your appointment is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details. If you scheduled a virtual appointment, the Zoom link will be included in your confirmation email.

  11.  Need assistance? Call 828.227.2274 or stop by the WaLC in Belk 207. 

A: Be sure to review our Policies for Students so you know how to avoid penalties related to late cancelations or no-shows. If you need to cancel your appointment, please attempt to do so at least 12 hours in advance so your tutor can make alternate plans for that time. You can cancel your appointment in Navigate or call the WaLC to request a cancellation. To cancel in Navigate: 

  • Sign in with your Catamount email username and password. 
  • On the right-hand side of your Navigate homepage, under Upcoming Appointments, click the appointment link and select Cancel Appointment. 
  • If you are unable to keep a scheduled session and you do not cancel 12 hours in advance, it will be marked as a "No Show.”  
  • Three "No Shows" within a 30-day period will result in the inability to schedule additional sessions until dz’v spoken with a member of the WaLC Leadership Team about attendance policies. 
Student in a tutoring center

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