by Emma Fleming
As many of us know, math and science can be difficult at the collegiate level. Whether you’re struggling with an individual problem or need extra help grasping a subject, the peer tutors in the Center for Academic Success are there to help. Although the peer tutoring program puts a special emphasis on math and science, the peer tutors can assist with a wide variety of topics. Some of these topics include math, statistics, chemistry, computer science, accounting, economics, psychology, sociology, biology and Spanish. The peer tutors are CRLA certified and have taken preparation courses in order to provide help with many of the courses that Parkland offers. According to the Parkland website, the peer tutors were “carefully chosen based on their academic performance, previous experience, and interest in helping others.” Peer tutoring is open to all students, and is available Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In total, there are 13 peer tutors available. I had the opportunity to ask some of them questions about themselves and why they chose to tutor in the Center for Academic Success.
Soungwan Jo
Major: Engineering science (mechanical engineering)
What can you help students with? Math or physics problems
Why are you a peer tutor? I want to gain voluntary experience and make some extra money.
What do you do in your free time? Sleep
Favorite subject? Math
Nicolas Nkiere
Major: Computer engineering
What can you help students with? Math, physics or computer science
Why are you a peer tutor? I like helping people understand math and physics; it’s cool.
What do you do in your free time? I watch online videos on math or technology and sometimes I play video games.
Favorite subject? Math
Edward Passagi
Major: I’m currently majoring in computer science at Parkland College.
What can you help students with? At D120, I can help students who need help in math, physics, chemistry, computer science and economics. However, people often come to me for math help.
Why are you a peer tutor? I want to help those who don’t understand specific material because I have been in that position. It sucks to be stuck in a rut when learning new stuff. Also, it’s always nice to make extra money while I’m at it.
What do you do in your free time? I mostly play musical instruments, or I hang out with friends.
Favorite subject? As a computer science student, my favorite subject revolves around the STEM field, like math and physics. I also like the computer science classes here [Parkland].
Hui Qui
Major: Accounting
What can you help students with? Accounting, business, economics or math (business calc and statistics)
Why are you a peer tutor? I want to help students and I think that being a tutor will help me with my English. Also, I need something to put on my applications.
What do you do in your free time? N/A
Favorite subject? Accounting for now, but that may change as I study new subjects.
Dylan Royer
Major: Mechanical engineering
What can you help students with? All math courses up to Calculus III, physics up to 142, statistics and some general eds like Economics 102 and Chemistry 101 and below
Why are you a peer tutor? The tutoring office has gotten me out of a few tight spots with understanding difficult material, and it is nice to pay that forward and help other people in a similar way.
What do you do in your free time? I relax, listen to music or play guitar.
Favorite subject? Physics
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For more information on tutoring here at Parkland, stop by D120 or email the Center for Academic Success at CenterForAcademicSuccess@parkland.edu.
