Tutoring

Tutors are assigned to all Freshman English sections within the first few weeks of the semester. Your tutor will work closely with your teacher and will probably attend some class meetings to become familiar with the work you have been doing in the classroom. He or she will be aware of your teacher’s expectations and goals for these assignments. The Freshman English tutors are typically advanced English majors or graduate students, and they receive preparation for tutoring through an advanced tutoring seminar.

Tutors serve as writing mentors who will help you to interpret assignments, talk through ideas, and give shape and structure to your presentation of those ideas. They will also work to identify persistent problem areas that you or your teachers identify. They will not, however, simply edit your paper, although they can teach some strategies for self-editing.

The tutor assigned to your section will meet with your class early in the semester after reviewing the curriculum with your teacher.  He or she will then arrange individual appointments with students--often through email or through the tutoring message board across from the Freshman English office (W-6-56).  Students may leave notes requesting tutoring in their tutor's envelope on this message board.  You may find it helpful to work with the tutor on particular assignments or concerns. 

We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with and get feedback from your section's tutor. The philosophy behind the tutoring program for Freshman English is that all freshman writers are in the process of developing new skills in academic reading and writing at the university level and that everyone can benefit at some times from a conversation about a reading/writing task with someone who can offer one-on-one support and feedback. You may make your own tutoring appointments, without your teacher's involvement.  If your teacher suggests that you make an appointment, it means that he or she feels you will benefit from a one-on-one conversation about some aspect of your writing. This does not mean that you are a "bad writer."

For further information or questions about your assigned tutor, ask your freshman writing teacher, or you may contact Elsa Auerbach (617-287-5763)

Other Academic Support

In addition to the tutors assigned to writing section, the university offers tutoring for other courses, reading and writing workshops, study skills workshops, and other support for students in their academic work.  To learn about these resources, visit the Academic Support Office in the Campus Center, 2nd floor, room 2100, or call 287-6550.