“For Students, by Students”: A Look into SMUSA’s Tutoring Program

Written by Sophie Downie Allen

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

As the Fall 2020 semester ramps up at Saint Mary’s University (SMU), a large number of students will seek out academic support, whether it be to improve their grades, alleviate school-related stress, navigate online classes, or otherwise. Although this is the case every semester, the Fall 2020 term arguably represents a time in which academic support services are of the utmost importance to SMU students as many are experiencing a full term of online learning for the first time, most first years are transitioning from a complicated end to high school, and some students are participating in classes from halfway across the world. 

Currently, SMU itself is offering a variety of “academic learning services” to students, which can be located under The Studio for Teaching & Learning on the Saint Mary’s website. These services include, but are not limited to: Brightspace Help, How to be an Online Student, English Language Support, Global Learning & Intercultural Support, and Virtual Tutoring. Of particular note is Saint Mary’s Virtual Tutoring service, as it is new for 2020 and likely to receive lots of traffic from both new and returning students looking to boost their GPA. Virtual Tutoring is overseen by SMU’s Writing Centre, who host the service on their electronic tutoring tool, WCOnline. Once an account has been created on the platform, students can book an appointment for one of two tutoring options: eTutoring or Online tutoring. 

Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash

Online tutoring entails a synchronous video consultation, where students can speak with and receive feedback from a tutor in real time. eTutoring, on the other hand, is an asynchronous mode of tutoring, whereby students upload their work to WCOnline and receive feedback from a tutor through email. Although SMU’s Virtual Tutoring service is convenient and adaptable to online learning, it still finds itself lacking in a crucial area of student support: student leadership. Virtual Tutoring is run by the Writing Centre, meaning that all of the tutors affiliated with the program are paid employees. Many of these employees are not students currently enrolled at SMU. For some students, having a more professional tutor review their work might be their preferred choice. However, student tutors offer a unique advantage to helping struggling students, as they can offer a more relatable perspective on school, given that they are still students themselves. Also, student tutors are likely to be more well-versed in the specific resources available to students on campus and how they work. 

It is important for students at SMU to know they have choices when it comes to their education and the ways in which they choose to enhance it. Whilst the services described above are more than adequate, they may not fit the needs of every student on campus. For those students who are looking for an alternative to SMU’s tutoring services, one need look no further than SMUSA’s tutoring program.

Unlike Virtual Tutoring, SMUSA’s tutoring program is completely student-led. I had the pleasure of interviewing Abigayle Winters, the Vice President Academic for SMUSA, who provided some insight as to why the “for students, by students” methodology of the SMUSA tutoring program sets it apart from other academic learning services on campus. 

AW: “Who’s going to [better] understand the pressure students are under when it comes to academics, than students? Having peer tutoring not only benefits students with studying, but also helps create connections on campus, and gives students an opportunity to put their knowledge to use. A for-student by- student approach allows us to break down some barriers of understanding that may interfere in other services. Tutors are also extremely individual with different learning and tutoring styles, meaning students can find someone who works well for them”.

It is clear that SMUSA prides itself greatly on creating student-centered services. However, not just any student can become a tutor in the SMUSA Tutoring Database. To become approved as a tutor, students must have a minimum of A- in the courses they wish to tutor. Tutors for SMUSA are also hired to tutor for specific classes, rather than general areas of study. Additionally, students looking to become tutors must submit both personal and academic information to SMUSA, including your name, email, phone number, faculty, the course code(s) for the classes you wish to tutor, your availability, an unofficial transcript, and a photo of yourself. This information, excluding your availability and transcript, becomes accessible on the Tutoring Database once you are hired by SMUSA as a tutor. Therefore, students who access the Tutoring Database can easily narrow down a tutor that suits their specific academic needs and contact them directly, rather than go through Virtual Learning and be assigned a random employee of the Writing Centre to look over their work. Abigayle even cited the SMUSA Tutoring Database as having a significant academic and financial impact on the students who have been involved, saying: 

Abigayle Winters, VP Academic. Photo by SMUSA

AW: “We always love hearing the impact of the SMUSA tutoring database! We’ve heard students say that using the tutor database has helped them transition into the university environment. The database doesn’t only help those looking for a tutor, it’s also beneficial for tutors! Being a tutor lets students make some extra income, while also reinforcing what they’ve learned in past classes. Many of our users are first year students, who are working their way through 1000 level courses that are built on in upper years, so having a good base from the beginning is beneficial in the long run. Students who have good experiences with the database also join as a tutor later, creating a great feedback loop that keeps the database going”.

Admittedly, SMUSA’s tutoring program faces some shortcomings when compared to the Virtual Learning service offered by SMU. Instead of taking an online approach to tutoring as the Virtual Learning service has done, the SMUSA tutoring program is still operating fully in-person. With numerous anxieties over COVID-19 still afloat, many students seeking academic assistance may opt for Virtual Learning over the SMUSA Tutoring Database for this reason. Despite this, Abigayle Winters continues to advocate for the SMUSA tutoring program, arguing that in-person academic connections are continually valuable “Student led tutoring ... allows for campus connections, which are all the more important during COVID times. Students who are engaged and have better support networks on campus perform better academically, which is a win for everyone!” Of course, if you do choose to tutor or be tutored through the SMUSA tutoring service, don’t forget to wear your mask and social distance!

Additionally, Abigayle is not afraid to admit that there are ways in which the program could change for the better. 

AW: “The database is always changing and adapting, but there are some areas that we are working to improve. We are always looking for new tutors, you have to have an 80% (A-) or higher in a course, it's always discouraging when a student can’t find the tutor they need. Like everything else we are trying to find a way to help facilitate tutoring in the online environment. The database also ‘crashes’ where students can’t access the database, we are always working to find a better solution”. 

Although the SMUSA tutoring program may not be perfect, it provides an additional service that allows students at Saint Mary’s to both improve their academic abilities and network unlike any other academic learning resource on campus. If you find yourself struggling with school this fall and are looking for a place to turn for help, or are interested in becoming a tutor yourself, check out SMUSA’s website for more information on their tutoring program, or email Abigayle Winters at vpacademic.smusa.ca with inquiries.