Tutoring Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Being a peer tutor can be an extremely rewarding experience. These are paid positions that allow you to gain valuable work experience while helping others, enriching your own experience at WSU. The purpose of becoming a tutor is to help students help themselves, or to guide them to the point at which they become an independent learner and thus no longer need a tutor.

Mozilla Firefox is the preferred browser, and it is loaded on all WSU laptops, so you can either search through the programs on your laptop, or Google Mozilla Firefox. Mac users should accept the security certificate.

You will need to log in to TutorTrac to search for classes with tutoring available. For details on what TutorTrac is and how to use this resource, go to Find a Tutor  .

If no times appear it is possible we do not offer tutoring for that course, or we only have 1-on-1 tutoring for that course or all appointments are full. Expand your search by changing the "Available from and to" dates in TutorTrac then leave the "reason" field blank so both types of tutoring will appear. Also check out Online Resources  for additional tutoring and support services.  If you are still unable to find the resources or support you need, please Contact Us.

We offer three types of tutoring: 1-on-1, drop-in and group. All three types will show up on the schedule, so take note whether schedule time is dark green (1-on-1), light blue (drop-in), or yellow (group).
If you want a 1-on-1 appointment you need to sign up 24 hours in advance by clicking on the time in the appointment block on the scheduling calendar. The 24 hour advance notice gives the tutor adequate time to plan for the appointment.  If you sign up less than 24 hours in advance, the appointment is not valid.

Drop-in appointments are convenient because you can just show up at the time and location listed and a tutor will be there to help. The tutor may be helping several students or groups of students from different classes at the same time.

Group sessions also require signing up in advance. We set a maximum number of students for the session (usually between two and four depending on the subject). The first student who signs up determines the course that will be the focus of that 30 minute session. Other students in that course can sign up for the group session until the maximum is reached.  Group sessions have the advantage of being more focused than drop-in times, but still allow us to serve more students than the 1 on 1 format allows.

Absolutely. Friends who are in the same class with you are welcome to come to your 1-on-1 appointment.

The purpose of tutoring is to help students help themselves, or to guide them to the point at which they become an independent learner and thus no longer need a tutor. At the WSU Tutoring Center, it is our goal to provide you with the necessary skills and tools to enable you to become an independent learner. Our tutors follow the Tutor Code of Ethics developed by the National Tutoring Association .

The purpose of a tutor is to guide you and explain concepts so that you can obtain the skills to complete your assignments on your own. A tutor will not complete your assignments or projects for you.

Please bring any relevant materials such as text books, worksheets, notes, handouts or other supplies you may need. It is also helpful for the tutor if you have specific questions or problem areas to focus on. This will help guide the tutor to your main concerns and prevent you from spending time on issues that are not a concern for you. Most sessions are ½ hour in length, so being prepared to get right to your issues is vital and the best use of both your time as well as the tutors.

Our tutors are your peers, other Winona State University students. All tutors must have completed at least 32 credits and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must also have earned a grade of an A or B in the courses they will tutor and must be recommended by a faculty member.

No, this is a free service for all currently enrolled WSU students.

If you are a currently enrolled WSU student, you qualify for this service. Students who are low-income, first generation college students, or have a disability may be eligible for additional tutoring and other support through Student Support Services

Tutoring hours vary, but most occur in the afternoon and evening. Individual appointments are available during a wide range of days and times. For the most complete and current information, go to Find a Tutor .

The Tutoring Services Office and most tutoring is provided in the Library, room 220; however, tutoring is also available in Lourdes Hall on the West Campus, and in Prentiss Lucas. 

Drop-in tutoring is unlimited. If you prefer a 1-on-1 appointment we generally limit those to one hour a week per student. Participants who are eligible for Student Support Services have access to additional tutoring and academic support.

Minimum Qualifications: 
Applicants need a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher with a minimum of 32 credits completed (12 credits must have been completed at WSU).
A or B in courses they would like to tutor. 
Students must be enrolled with 6 or more credits each semester they tutor.
Applicants need good communication skills and must have the ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds and with varied skill levels.
Applicants must have a completed recommendation form from a faculty member in each subject area you would like to tutor (i.e. Accounting, Economics, and Math). 

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