Tell us a little about yourself… 

 I'm a Junior Computer Engineering Major, Creative Writing Minor. I like listening to podcasts, doing community theater, and writing.

Tell us about how you are involved on campus. 

On campus, I do a lot of playwriting/acting/directing for theaterCOM club, and I'm a TA for CMPE 212. 

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor? 

A friend of mine convinced me to become a tutor because I'm very good at explaining concepts, and he thought I should be paid for helping him and other students with their classes.

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor? 

I tutor for challenging math and tech-based courses, so my favorite thing is seeing when a subject finally clicks for the person I'm tutoring and they really understand it. 

Why should students utilize the tutoring? 

I always tell people to use the LRC because it's a totally free resource that gives students and chance for more focused help. I think anyone can pass all their classes, but it's easy to get left behind, especially when the class is large or the professor isn't good at communicating. If you wait to get help until you're failing, it'll be hard to pull up your grade, but if you get help early and often you'll be able to keep up easily.

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session? 

Always come to a tutoring knowing what topics you want to go over, and coming with specific questions or with practice problems (not homework problems) to work on is always helpful. 

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center? 

I have walk-in hours Mon 12-1, Tues 1-2, and Wed 11-12 and 3-4 in either Sherman 335 or Sherman 340.  You can download the StudyTree app on your phone to book an appointment.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Haythem Abdelkhalek and I am from Tunisia. I am a transfer student from the University of Rouen of Sciences (France) and now I am a senior Information Systems major and a swimmer on the UMBC Swimming & Diving team. 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

As a swimmer on the UMBC Swimming & Diving Team since 2016 I get the opportunity to compete for my university and represent its students and values. I tutor mostly French and Arabic at the Learning Resources Center but I also tutor Computer Science, Information Systems, and Math when needed. I lifeguard at the RAC and I give swim lessons to people of all ages and all levels. 

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

When I transferred here, in my first course: French 339, my professor advised me to join the Learning Resources Center as a French tutor. I thought this was a great opportunity for me to get more involved on campus, meet new people, and keep practicing my language skills.

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

The best reward I could ever get as a tutor is receiving emails from students I tutored earlier in the semester telling me that they successfully passed the course they were failing or for getting that A they were about to miss.

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

Tutoring is such a great resource that help students improve their grades, pass courses, or simply improve their speaking skills when learning new languages. 

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session? 

The best way to prepare for a tutoring session is to bring lots of questions and exercises or quizzes that the student is having trouble with. Making sure that the student understands what they got wrong in previous assignments is the most efficient way to build a solid base and start improving.

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

My schedule is very flexible and I can adapt to students needs easily. You can find me most of the time at Sherman Hall 332 and just send and email to the ASC and we will get you started with your first step to success ASAP!

It's National Tutor Appreciation Week!

In fall 2017 and spring 2018, LRC tutoring centers were visited over 10,000 times by UMBC students!  

What is the Spanish Tutoring Lab?

The Spanish Lab is a drop-in tutoring center designed to support the Spanish 101, 102, 103 and 201 courses at UMBC. Students are welcome to visit the lab anytime during operating hours and to stay as long they would like.

When? Fridays 2pm to 4pm

Where? First floor of the A.O.K. Library, behind the reference desk, in the Math and Science Tutoring Center space

Why? Students who go to tutoring tell us that they better understand course concepts and are able to apply new techniques they learn in tutoring later on their own. 

Tutoring is an appointment you make with yourself to study and practice at least once a week.  

In order to make the most of your tutoring session, prepare for it by bringing concepts and problems you want your tutor to work on with you.

All Learning Resources Center tutoring is free, provided by trained peers.

Students can also make an appointment for Spanish tutoring at other times using the StudyTree app.  

Get to know our amazing Writing Center Tutors, who can help you improve any writing assignment for any class.  

Meagan Barrett

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm currently an English major who loves to write fiction, and draw my ideas! I have two cats, and spend most of my time reading and/or binge watching​ Criminal Minds on Netflix. 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

On top of tutoring, I'm a copy editor on both the Retriever Weekly and the Bartleby staff. Most semesters I also work as a Writing Fellow for English 100 classes. So there are quite a few places you might see me around campus!

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

Funnily enough, I found out about tutoring on campus when I was tutoring my mathematically-inclined boyfriend in English 100. I did such a good job, apparently, that he was recommended to be a Writing Tutor! Before then, I didn't know the Writing Center even existed. He declined, but I decided to follow the instructions on the email myself, and I emailed the Writing Center director to see if I she would consider hiring me instead. 

During my internship in the Writing Center, I discovered that I really enjoy working with and helping others understand writing.  

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

My favorite thing about tutoring is that it gives me the opportunity to talk about my biggest passion all the time! Writing is kind of my life's mission, so being able to work with it directly is pretty exciting for me. 

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

I definitely think all students should utilize the Learning Resources Center, and not just if you're on the verge of failing your classes. I think it's hard sometimes, because our culture tends to put a stigma on the idea of "tutoring," so it can be hard to ask for help when you need it. 

But the fact of the matter is that it's normal to need help! And the Writing Center is a place that allows students to get that extra help in a low-pressure, nonjudgmental environment. All of us writing tutors know that writing is hard, and even the best writers make mistakes. So getting an extra set of eyes can make a huge difference to your grade, because they'll probably notice something you didn't!

This is especially true of writing, but can also be true of other subjects as well — getting a second opinion never hurts! 

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session?

I think the most important way a student can prepare for a session is by making sure you know what you want to focus on! If you bring a seven page paper to a 30-minute session, I likely won't be able to look at the whole thing. So it's important to prioritize what you need help with, so we can spend our limited time on things that matter to you! (But also — bring two paper copies with you!)

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

I'm available in the Writing Center, located on the first floor of the AOK Library, on Mondays from 12:30-3:30pm this summer.  I'm also available for online tutoring on Sunday nights from 6-9pm. And I'm always happy to help!

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi. My name is Jessie. I am a sophomore math major and computer science minor. I enjoy playing a variety of sports with my friends and I also play an uncommonly known instrument called a Bowed Psaltery. I am a counselor for a scout-like group called Pathfinders. My favorite show is MacGyver and I have a huge passion for math.

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I am involved in a couple campus clubs. I am a part of Alpha and Omega as well as the newly formed archery club and I am a tutor for the Math Lab.

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

A professor encouraged me to apply to learn how to teach math. I also have learned that not only am I able to help other people understand math, tutoring many classes requires me to be proficient in the topics from each class I have taken. Teaching is one way to really know that you understand the material and helps to keep that knowledge fresh in my mind with the added bonus of helping my peers.

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

I love the moment when the person I am working with really grasps the concept. But the most satisfying thing is when that person then turns and begins explaining the concept to someone else.

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

First of all, it’s free. There is no pressure for you to understand things right off the bat. We help you learn at your own pace. You also don’t have to come in regularly, although you are welcome to, if you have one topic that you find tricky, we can just work on that area.

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session? 

To prepare for a tutoring session it is good to think about what topics or maybe a certain type of question you will need help in. Also being prepared with the materials you might need such as class notes, pencils, and scrap paper will make our time together the most productive.

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

I work at the Math Lab on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3pm to 6pm but there are many tutors ready to help. The Math Lab is located on the first floor of the library. You just walk through the book detectors at the front and turn right, then keep walking in that direction until you get to the LRC desk.