Am I the only one who’s going into panic mode right now? I mean, I had to check out my calendar twice to verify: there’s only a couple weeks left of this semester! Meanwhile, papers, papers, papers, all coming due on pretty much the same day. What is a stressed student to do?
Well, I know it may seem less-than-cool to some, but this is the time that students may want to consider checking out some of Lamson’s student services. When you’re banging out that paper, and your tired brain just can’t go on and formulate that thesis or comprehend the subtleties of Chicago Style citations, there should be no shame in checking out the Writing Center.
After all, we pay for our classes, so we should learn as much as possible from them. We also pay for the extra assistance offered by departments. What better reason to take advantage of it than the fact that you spent good money to have it available to you?
So here you go. You have a complex question that you can’t answer. Where do you turn? There are many doors open to you as a student.
The PASS center offers subject-specific tutoring for all your needs. According to the PASS center website Plymouth.edu/pass/ this tutoring is available on “Mon. – Thurs. from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and off site by appointment.” This tutoring can be one-on-one or group, and it’s best to call ahead to make sure that the subject you want is available.
Tutoring in math is available through the Math Center in Hyde 351. Peer tutors who are mostly math majors are available to help you on Mon. through Thurs. at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri. at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Mon. and Wed. nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Many undergraduate students are already aware of the Writing Center, where writing tutoring and revising are available. On their website, Plymouth.edu/wrc/, they ask if students are looking for: “A good environment to get your writing started, to improve as a reader or writer, to share writing or thoughts you’re excited about, to stop procrastinating, to try out your draft on a good reader, [or] to share your personal writing.”
Obviously, the writing center offers many areas of assistance. The staffers at the center will review your papers, resumes, presentations, speeches, scripts and cover letters. The center’s website provides resume guides, sample papers, writing handbooks and style guides.
It’s also a good idea to take advantage of your professor’s office hours at this time of the year. Some would argue now more than ever it is time to be sure that your expectations and your professor’s match up. So go in and ask that question that has been nagging at you. Some professors may even look over your final work to give you suggestions if you ask.
Don’t mess around with your academic future. If your grades are important to you, do what it takes to keep them to your standards. You’ll be glad that you did when you graduate with Honors for that extra boost to your resume.