The path to knowledge need not be traveled alone

We’ve all been there.  Working on a math problem and just can’t get the right answer.  What should you do?  Just pretend like the problem doesn’t exist? It won’t be on the next test, right?  Wrong!

Students can now take a trip to the Learning Commons located on the first floor in the Jerome Library to get help in finding an answer to that question.

According to a student satisfaction survey from spring 2012, 76 percent of students who utilized the Learning Commons agreed or strongly agreed that their tutors were helpful.  They want students to understand the process and will work with them one-on-one until they do.  

One of the tutors working in the Learning Commons is Harini Padmanaban, from Botswana, Africa.  When she moved to Bowling Green, she was shy but through tutoring, her confidence has improved.  

She understands that, for those who come from small schools, it can be intimidating to ask a question in a large lecture hall. The Learning Commons, provides individual meetings with a tutor who will be there to answer all the questions you have − be it math, writing or specific courses.  

“The tutors are in the same position as the student, so it makes it easier for them to interact.” said Padmanaban.

There used to be separate buildings for each tutoring center.   Now, it’s a one-stop shop at the Learning Commons, which houses Math and Statistics Tutoring, Writing, Study Skills, and Subject Tutoring.

Padmanaban began tutoring in the Math and Statistics Tutoring Center before it moved to the Learning Commons.  “The Learning Commons is an amazing resource,” she said.  

According to the student satisfaction survey, 82 percent of students rated the Learning Commons and its services as good or excellent.

When Padmanaban began tutoring, she worked with students both fall and spring semesters as a math and statistics tutor.  This summer, she agreed to tutor as a Supplemental Instruction Leader.  Supplemental Instruction is a weekly review session with a group of students who discuss what they learned in the classroom that week.  

She sat through the course with the students. She had taken the course previously, but she said that it was interesting.  The first time she took the class, she was nervous. But sitting through it again, she remembered the concepts and there was less pressure. She was able to look at it from a different perspective.

Students report they like the tutors in the Learning Commons because they are encouraging and helpful. A Senior who utilizes the learning commons said, “ Harini was really nice.  She helped a lot because of her positive attitude and encouragement.”

The Learning Commons is open evenings from 6 - 10 p.m. Sundays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.  To learn more about the Learning Commons or to see upcoming events, visit the website or Facebook page.