The PLNU Tutorial Center is currently offering review sessions free of charge for students in a wide variety of courses. These review sessions are seen as the perfect way for students to prepare for a test or get extra support in understanding a course’s material.
Right now, there are review sessions for Human Anatomy and Physiology I on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 P.M. in Latter Hall 102, General Chemistry I on Tuesdays from 7:30-8:30 P.M. and Thursdays from 5-6 P.M. in Latter Hall 2, Organic Chemistry I on Tuesdays from 7-8 P.M. in Latter Hall 102, Principles of Financial Accounting on Mondays from 6-7:30 P.M. in Fermanian School of Business 105 and there will also be a review session for Microbiology of Infectious Diseases on Wednesday, November 16th from 7:30-9:30 P.M. in Latter Hall 101.
Review sessions are used to answer any questions students may have and create an environment in which useful discussion can take place. It is an organized setting where students can prepare for tests, by practicing with test-like questions, as it designed to help students feel more confident in their preparedness for the class.
“Going to the review sessions have definitely helped me to understand the material better and faster than if I had tried studying it on my own, and also made me feel more prepared for my tests, so it is a helpful resource,” said PLNU sophomore and biology major Nicole Camaratta. “I normally go at the end of learning a section to make sure that I know the material before I take the test.”
Students practice homework problems and review and reflect on their notes. They also get the chance to ask whatever questions they have to the tutors, as well as go into detail on subjects that are more complicated.
“I would recommend that students attend review sessions because it provides a new perspective on learning the material at hand. Studying amongst a group of peers can be very helpful as it can bring up questions and ideas and understandings that students would have never thought of on their own. At the very least, it can be used as a tool to review what one already knows in order to ensure their understanding of the class material,” said PLNU senior general chemistry and organic chemistry tutor Jonathan Sawada.
“It is an easy commitment, a great opportunity, and a win-win scenario for everyone who attends. I believe that many students often overlook review sessions or tutoring as they feel that it won’t be worth their time, or that it won’t be useful for them. However, these sessions are designed for the students themselves, lead by a peer who has been in their shoes who knows the way in which they are struggling,” continued Sawada.
These sessions are tweaked and personalized to the students that attend so that tutors like Sawada can help provide individuals with the understanding and questions they particularly need help with.
“In my experience with helping students review for tests or for a chemistry class, what students find most helpful is developing their own understanding of the material in a way that they can wrap their minds around the problems at hand. Many students struggle with the same ideas, concepts, and questions, so when I help one student to wrap their head around the problem, they can go forth and help other students understand the problem themselves from a similar perspective,” said Sawada. “I have seen students dramatically raise their test scores, as they get set on an upward trajectory towards success in the class.”
Review sessions and tutoring sessions have helped students to not just get the answer to homework questions, but also to understand the “whys” and “how’s” towards answering the questions themselves.
A list of the Tutorial Center’s current and regularly scheduled review sessions can be found through the Lomalink.