At this time, I am only available for face-to-face sessions with students at HLC.  I work with students on a first-come-first-served basis.  No appointment necessary!!! 

First things, first...check to see if I'll even be in the lab!  Every learning lab maintains a tutoring schedule, and you can find them here.  Scroll down and click on "Highland Tutoring Schedule."  Once the schedule opens, search for "Sam S." under "chemistry" or "pharmacology/dosage."

Once you come to the HLC Learning Lab and you are ready to work with me, sign in at the ipad at the tutoring welcome desk.  Once you are signed in, one of the workers at the front desk will enter you into the queue system and post your name to the TV screens.  Once it is your turn, I will shout out your name and come find you.  Easy-peasy!

If you can't figure out how to sign in, just ask one of the friendly faces in the Learning Lab.  We help students learn to navigate our systems all the time!  

Please do NOT be overwhelmed by these instructions!  I'm trying to be as descriptive as possible...and that takes a lot of words.  Ha!  Once you find the learning lab the first time, the process is super easy.   There are also links to maps at the end of this section.

1. Go to the 1st floor of Building 1000 of the Highland Campus.

2. Note that there is a HUGE glassed-in computer lab that runs almost the full length of the building.  That is the ACCelerator.  While there are a bunch of doors, only the doors at the ACCelerator entrance are unlocked.  There is a sign above the entrance that says "ACCelerator," and it is near the bottom of the social/main staircase.

3. Upon entering the ACCelerator, the front desk staff will make you sign in.  Note, this is NOT the same as signing in for tutoring!  That initial sign-in system is simply for tracking use of the space in general.  Ask the front desk staff to point you in the direction of the Learning Lab.  

4. The front desk staff should point you in the direction of Zone 6.  If you are facing the front ACCelerator desk (with the entrance behind you), you would turn to your right and start walking to the last zone (past the last line of computers on tall desks).  Have a seat anywhere you want in Zone 6.  Help yourself to a computer if you need to. 

5. Get settled and then sign in for help!

Are you more of a map person? 

• A map of HLC is here.

• A simplified map of the first floor of building 1000 is here.

• A map of the ACCelerator is here.

When it is your turn, I'll shout out your name to find you and come to you.  PLEASE correct my pronunciation if I say your name wrong!

I'll ask you to confirm which class you are needing help with and who your instructor is.  (If you can't remember, I can usually figure it out if you tell me your campus and some other info!)

I'll ask you what you want help with.  Is it a particular concept?  Is it a homework set?  I'll let you be in charge of the topic, but I'll probably ask lots of questions along to way to find the gaps in your understanding so that I can fill them in.

I may also ask you questions about your note-taking strategies and study habits.  If I think other sources of support would be helpful to you, I'll probably refer you to those resources, too.

We'll work together until you get to a point where you can work more independently.  From there, I will move on to the next student or other project until you sign back in for more help.

While I can only sit with you for up to 30 minutes at a time, there is no limit to how many times you sign in for help during my shift.  As long as you continue to attempt to make some progress on your own between sign-ins, I'm more than happy to circle back to you!

Tutoring and teaching seem similar...but they are actually very different.  You instructor will lay the groundwork in your class.  A tutor is there to help you practice, connect ideas, and fill in learning gaps.  I canNOT re-lecture for your instructor (like if you miss class or decide not to pay attention during class).  In tutoring, YOU are in the "driver's seat"...not me.

• Relevant course notes

• Relevant practice exercises

• Note-taking/writing supplies (If you are using a tablet, just make sure it is charged up and ready to go).

• The calculator you will use for tests.  (Yes, we have some calculators we can lend you, but I would rather help you practice with the calculator you'll use for tests).

• The course syllabus (or at least the ability to look it up online).  Sometimes I need clarification of the expectations for an assignment.

• You might want a light jacket.  The Learning Lab can get downright cold at times.

• Some patience and grit.  (Yes, I know that is corny.  What can I say?  Attitude goes a long way in the effectiveness of a session!)

Absolutely!  In fact, I enjoy working with students in pairs and small groups!  There are small white-boards in the Learning Lab so that I can draw for a larger audience.  It does work better if the study group is made up of students in the same course and with the same instructor.  

Sometimes, groups of students choose to reserve study rooms.  The study room reservation system is governed by the ACCelerator and can be found here.  However, I canNOT leave the learning lab area!  I can certainly come to you if you are in study rooms 1215 - 1221, but I can't come to study rooms further away.  If you and your group have reserved one of the study rooms in Zone 6, please let the Learning Lab Help Desk know so that they can send me your way.

I get it...sometimes I'm just not the right help for a student.  Plus, I can't be at HLC 24/7.  

HLC has many tutors working various shifts.  Please check the Learning Lab schedule here.  Scroll down and click on "Highland Tutoring Schedule."  Once the schedule opens, you can see what other tutors are available for help with chemistry.  (Pay attention to what course-level the tutor can help you with. )

HLC has numerous tutors serving students in many subjects and working various shifts.  

Please check the Learning Lab schedule here.  Scroll down and click on "Highland Tutoring Schedule."  Once the schedule opens, you can search the schedule to see if your subject is offered and if there is a tutor with availability matching your own.  

You are always welcome to call the Learning Lab at 512-223-7365 to get help understanding the schedule or confirming tutor availability.

Every time you want help, you will use Upswing and the "Check in at Campus Location" system.  Therefore, you can switch subjects with ease and be paired with an appropriate tutor as you switch up.  Remember, when you search for a subject, use the course code instead of the course title.  (In other words, search "ENGL" and not "English" if you want help with writing.

If you want in-person tutoring, you can search for chemistry tutors at other campuses.  Every ACC campus has its own Learning Lab with its own tutors.  Tutor schedules for all ACC Learning Labs can be found here.  At the top of each schedule, you will also find that Learning Lab's hours of operations, location, and contact information.

If you would like to work online, you have the option for both ASAP and scheduled sessions.  Either option requires that you to log into Upswing and select "Meet with Tutor."  Keep the following in mind:

• If you use the search function, remember to use course codes instead of titles!  (For example, to get help with writing, search "ENGL" instead of "English.")  

• You can also search for specific tutors by name.  

• Pay attention to whether you are using an ACC tutor vs. and Upswing tutor.  You have free, unlimited access to ACC tutors, but only 5 free hours with Upswing tutors.

If you need help, please see the main ACC tutoring webpage here.

Yes.  If you are interested in tutoring, reach out to the Learning Lab you are interested in.  Contact information can be found here.  Every Learning Lab does things a little differently, but expect to tell the learning lab manager about which subjects you would be interested in tutoring.  Some learning labs may require that you take a proficiency test and interview as well.

While not tutoring, another paid opportunity for students to provide learning support is to work as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader.  Perhaps you have taken an ACC class supported by an SI leader!  To learn more about the program, go here.  To learn how to become an SI leader, go here.