The Learning Commons is providing Stanislaus State students with academic assistance and a calming environment in which students can get work done. Located on the second level in the Vasche library, the Learning Commons include the writing center, tutoring center, supplemental instruction and testing office. All of these services are available to offer students support throughout the semester. 

Supplemental instruction (SI) is a program which offers support in subject matter that is often seen as challenging. SI leader Samantha Abarca said, “SI provides services for many subjects. It is not only for math and science, [but] we also offer sessions for the following subjects: History, Political Science, Physics, Math, Chemistry, Biology, and Zoology.”

Supplemental instruction session schedules can be found on Stanislaus State’s website. Most of these sessions remain online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Samantha Abarca explained that she had participated in SI sessions before she started working as an SI leader.

“I became an SI Leader because I saw success in attending SI sessions myself! As a freshman, I attended SI sessions for a biology and history course. My SI leaders were wonderful and made studying fun,” Abarca said. “These subjects can be quite overwhelming to study, but SI sessions made it doable. With the help of SI, I passed both of these courses with an A+.“

The Learning Commons also houses the Writing Center, which helps students build their technical and organizational writing skills. The Writing Center offers tutoring on campus and through Zoom. Weekly tutoring is offered for those who may want a standing appointment on a weekly basis, or next-day tutoring is available for those who prefer a one time session. This type of tutoring is not only for English classes, but can can be beneficial for all students.

“I wouldn’t do this job if I didn’t think that it was a good place to be if it didn’t help the person develop wholly. They come in for one subject matter, but when they can figure out their writing process, they take it everywhere,” said Writing Center Tutor Mary Worthington.

The Learning Commons is also a good place to work for students who are interested in becoming a tutor. Applications are on the Stanislaus State website. There is a faculty recommendation required to become a tutor. Doing well in that class is qualification as well. 

“We are really looking for, in particular, folks that have done well in math and science courses,” said Learning Commons Director James Barnes.

Barnes spoke to the benefits of becoming a student tutor.

“They are learning how to teach students things, how to share information with their peers, how to create environments that are safe and encouraging. Those are all transferable skills,” Barnes explained. 

Barnes also mentioned that students will be receiving an email about the Learning Commons. The campus-wide email will contain a survey in which students can voice what services they would like within the commons. The survey will also check to see what information students know or don’t know about the services already offered within the center. The link will be sent to students which will be available from the 8 to the 22 of November and will take around 5 minutes to complete. James Barnes can be contacted as [email protected] for any students who wish to share their experiences or if they have ideas for what they would like to see in the Learning Commons. 

The Learning Commons are for anybody who wishes to get ahead in classes or for anyone who could use support while studying. The environment is supportive and welcoming, and a great resource to utilize while studying on campus. The hours for in-person and virtual sessions are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.