Tutoring & Academic Success Center (TASC) (it's free!)

Published on 2025-09-04 by stephs

My name is Pang Yang, and I am the Peer Tutoring Coordinator for the Tutoring & Academic Success Center (TASC), formerly known as SMART Learning Commons. As we start Fall 2025, I want to remind you all about our Peer Tutor services. Please forward this information to any staff, or faculty who may need the information.

 

Peer tutor support is available both in-person and online. In-person tutoring is located in Walter, MaGrath, and Wilson Libraries. We are also offering tutoring in the MCAE space as well (Appleby 141). Tutors are available on weekdays and on Sundays! Tutor schedules are available at https://tutor.appointments.umn.edu/. This short video provides details on how students can search for available courses, view drop-in hours, and schedule appointments. This video is also helpful for staff and faculty who are assisting students with finding a tutor.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STAFF & FACULTY ACCESSING THE TUTOR WEBSITE: 

  • Make sure you are checking off the “Non Enrolled Courses” box before searching.
  • When searching, please make sure you are not including a space between the course department and number (e.g. search BIOL3022, NOT BIOL 3022).
  • If no class options pop up for selection and/or if tutors do not populate on the right hand side, there are no tutors for that course. 

 

NEW PROGRAMMING & UPDATES: 

Updates 

Details

Study Buddy Appointments 

Session Type: Group Appointment 
Modalities: In-Person
Functions the same as a normal in-person appointment, except instead of 1:1, the student booking the appointment can invite a small group of friends who are in the same class to the appointment!

Snack & Study Sessions 

Session Type: Group Drop Ins 
Modalities: In-Person 
Students are encouraged to come study at Walter Library and can enjoy snacks in our space during select weeks of the semester. 
Dates:

  • October | October 27, 2025 - October 31, 2025
  • November | November 17, 2025 - November 21, 2025



TYPES OF TUTORING SESSIONS AVAILABLE: 

Type of Session

Details

Drop Ins

Session type: Group tutoring 

Modalities: In-Person, Online

  • No appointment is needed.
  • When they try to click on this type of session on the website, it will say "Read Only" this is because there is nothing else the student needs to do. Just show up! 

In-Person Appointments

Session type: 1:1 Tutoring 

Modalities: In-person, no same day appointments

  • This type of tutoring session will list "Click to schedule".
  • Once students click on this session, a window will open up and offer slots that are 15 minutes long.
  • Students can select up to 4 consecutive slots - up to 1 hr of tutoring time.
  • If you or your student do not see a button to secure the appointment, try zooming the window out until you see it.
  • An email confirmation will be sent to the student and the tutor will be notified.

Hybrid Appointments

Session type: 1:1 Appointments 

Modalities: Online, McGrath Library, and Wilson Library

  • See bullets under in-person appointments
  • Once students choose their time slot(s), they can choose the modality they would like to have the session - whether in-person at the listed location or online.

Tutor Requests

Session type: 1:1 Appointment 

Modalities: in-person, online 

  • Requesting a tutor is only recommended If your student cannot make it to any of the scheduled hours listed on the appointments website.
  • Students can request a tutor (link at bottom of the website). I will coordinate with the tutor and student to find a time that works for the both of them.
  • However, it is important to note that this type of session can only be filled depending on the tutor's availability outside of their already scheduled hours. 



 

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR STUDENTS 

Student Concern

Tips on Guiding the Student

“The space is intimidating & I don’t know where to start!” 

  • Discuss tutoring process & the different types of appointments.
  • Ensure students know that all physical kiosks have directions on how to check in with a tutor.
  • Tutors will always have a name tag, so it’ll never be an awkward situation where students have to guess who they’ve scheduled with!
  • Tutors may be working with multiple students at the same time during drop ins, coach the student on how to ask for help and how to approach a busy table!

“Tutoring costs money” 

Tutoring is free! (Included with tuition)

“I don’t know how to prepare for tutoring”

  • Bring lecture notes, presentations, textbooks and practice problems
  • When booking appointments, there will be a small window where the student can write a message to the tutor to let them know topics they have questions about. This will help the tutor be prepared!

 

Peer tutoring is a part of the Academic Success Centers (ASC) at the U. ASC services are an important resource for students. Outside of resources for tutoring, writing, and research, ASC also provides information on online academic support resources, including tips on how to form and facilitate study groups. 



We are also available for virtual class or office visits to speak about our services and how to navigate the appointments website. Please contact me if you need additional information. 

Pang Yang, M.S

Peer Tutoring Coordinator

Tutoring & Academic Success Center 
Office of Undergraduate Education

Walter 204B | (612)624-6536 | tasc.umn.edu