ROSEBURG, Oregon – As Spring Term is coming to an end, finals are quickly approaching. Umpqua Community College (UCC) offers several academic coaching opportunities for a wide variety of courses on campus throughout the day.
Coaches are UCC students who have excelled in their courses. Academic coaching provides fellow students with the opportunity to educate themselves further on the subjects of their need. With help from a diverse group of academic coaches, students are given the chance to ask questions, study with peers, and gain a broader perspective about the difficulties they have within courses. UCC student Brianna Brewster says the opportunity has made an impact on her education.
I attend tutoring for anatomy and physiology because it’s really hard to understand,” Brewster said. “Going to tutoring has helped me with how I study and how I understand the material.
Her advice for students who might be considering going to tutoring but are unsure, Brewster said, “I would tell students to give it until the next test and you will see that it really does help. I think if you need the help, it’s great to have that option available.
When asked what inspired Jesika Barnes to become an academic coach, the newly-elected student body president said I took chemistry this summer with Sean Breslin and I did well which surprised me. I noticed other students were struggling with certain things like conversions in the class and I was talking to Breslin about taking more chemistry even though I didn’t need to. The Dean overheard and said ‘You know they always need science tutors.’ I found out that tutors get paid, so I thought it would be a good idea.
Barnes helps with a variety of different subjects as an academic coach, such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, math, chemistry, and psychology.
I mostly started tutoring sciences, but I started tutoring math as well since students would come up to me and ask for help,” Barnes said. “Although I haven’t taken math at UCC, I have a pretty good understanding of the subject.
When asked what advice Barnes would tell students who might be considering tutoring, she said, It’s just another tool, just one more person that could help explain something to better your understanding. Not to mention, it’s technically a source you’re already paying for since it comes out of student fees. If it’s a class you think will be difficult, go sooner rather than later. There’s no such thing as being too prepared.
Academic coaching is provided in the Library’s Success Center with many study groups for each term available. For Spring Term 2019, the following study groups are available:
- BI 232: Tuesday, 6 to 7:30 p.m., with Jesika Barnes
- BI 232: Wednesday & Thursday, 6 to 7:30 p.m, with Mike Durbin
- BI 232: Monday, 2 to 3:30.p.m., with Jesika Barnes
- BI 234: Thursday, 12 to 1.p.m., with Jesika Barnes
- CH 112: Tuesday, 1 to 2.p.m., with Jesika Barnes
- MTH20: Monday, 10 to 11.a.m., with Connie Cline
- MTH60: Wednesday, 10 to 11.a.m., with Constance Cline
- MTH65: Tuesday, 12 to 1.p.m., with Jordan Smith
- MTH95: Thursday, 12 to 1.p.m., with Jordan Smith
- SPAN101-103: Thursday, 2 to 3.p.m., with Quentin Bingham
- SPAN101-102: Wednesday, 12 to 1.p.m., with Jacob Sutton
- WR122: Tuesday, 1 to 2 p.m., with Constance Cline
In addition to the study groups, Drop-In Academic Coaching is available to all UCC students in need of assistance as well; no appointments necessary. Coaching is available Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you wish to know, visit the Academic Coaching Calendar.
Story by Michala Carpine & Hailee Holder
UCC Scholars
Student Contributors
About Umpqua Community College
Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.