Peer Support

Looking for additional academic support for one of your classes? Want help organizing your life? Looking for some fresh study strategies? If so, you have found the right place, and we are here to help.

There are several different types of peer support available. Select the option below that best fits your situation.

To request a tutor, first read the following expectations and guidelines. A link to request a tutor is below.

About tutoring

Calvin University is committed to offering free tutoring for most 100 and 200 level courses. This provides tutoring for most core courses, as well as gateway courses for most majors. Tutoring is a weekly one-hour commitment for the duration of the semester. Tutors at Calvin have been recommended by faculty members, have successfully completed the course, and have completed extensive training on student learning practices provided by the Center for Student Success.

Help session information and requirements

If you are enrolled in a 100 or 200 level course that is supported by nightly study sessions (accounting, biology, calculus, chemistry, computer science & data, physics, stats 143) you are required to attend two study sessions before you are able to sign up for individual tutoring. Please be sure to sign in when you arrive.

Expectations

You are expected to attend every session for the duration of the semester
You are expected to notify your tutor at least 24 hours in advance if you need to miss a session
You are expected to send your tutor specific questions that you have over the course material at least 24 hours before a session
You are expected to be faithfully attending class and actively participating in the tutoring sessions
You are expected to attempt all of your homework on your own before the tutoring sessions

The time has passed to request a tutor or coach for Fall 2024. If you are in a ½ semester class that started on October 28 and are looking for a tutor, you may email Emily Bosscher a request by November 22. Study Sessions continue all semester until December 12. The request links will reopen for Spring 2025 on Monday, January 27.

Study Sessions are drop-on tutoring sessions offering 4-8 hours of help each week (depending on the class). In the Study Sessions, you can do your homework surrounded by others in your class, work together with classmates, and ask questions of the Peer Tutors provided to help you.

Study session times and locations are as follows:

Accounting 203/204: Monday & Wednesday, DeVos Classroom 120, 7-9pm
Biology 141 & 161: Tuesday & Thursday, Science Building 276, 7-9pm
Biology 205 & 206 (Fall only): Monday & Wednesday, DeVries Hall 106, 7-9pm
Calculus: Monday – Thursday, North Hall 259, 7-9pm
Chemistry: Monday – Thursday, Science Building 303, 7-9pm
Computer Science & Data 102/103: Monday & Thursday, Science Building 337, 7-9pm
Philosophy 171: Arranged by Professor Snapper, TBD
Physics: Tuesday & Thursday, Science Building 102, 7-9pm
SPAUD 210 & 212 (Spring only): TBD
Statistics & “R”: Tuesday & Thursday, North Hall 261, 7-9pm

To request a coach, first read the following expectations and guidelines. A link to request a coach is below.

About coaching

Calvin University is proud to offer academic coaching for all students. Academic coaching can help students with time management, study skills, and overall college success. Academic coaches are current Calvin students who enjoy helping their peers create short-term and long-term personal and academic goals. Coaches will support fellow students with any of the following: self-advocacy, time management, eliminating procrastination, note-taking, creating optimal environments for studying, test-taking strategies, general organizational skills, and are great resources to learning more about Calvin University.

Expectations

You are expected to attend every session for the duration of the semester
You are expected to notify your coach at least 24 hours in advance if you need to miss a session
Between coaching sessions, you are expected to continue to work on the specific goals you created
You are expected to come prepared to coaching sessions with new topics to talk about

Quick facts

Where?

Tutoring and coaching take place in person in Hiemenga Hall 216.
Study sessions take place in the assigned classrooms.

When?

The first day to request a tutor is September 9, 2024.
The last day to request a tutor is November 8, 2024.
Tutoring takes place Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Please include all of your availability between those times for the best chances of connecting you with an available tutor.

What else do I need to know?

You will be matched with a tutor/coach within a week of submitting your request form.

You will be notified who your tutor/coach is and your weekly meeting time via your Calvin email.

You are expected to attend every tutoring and coaching appointment for the duration of the semester. If you need to miss a week, it is required that you email your coach or tutor at least 24 hours in advance, or it will count as an unexcused absence.

Acquiring two unexcused absences will result in the termination of tutoring services and multiple excused absences will result in the termination of tutoring.