Peer Tutoring

Welcome to the ERC’s Peer Tutoring Program!

Need help becoming a more successful or organized learner? We can complement your classroom experience and provide insights to help you be a more successful student. Our peer tutors are undergrads recruited from across Boston University and recommended by BU faculty, and our services are free to all BU students.

Mission of the Program:

Peer Tutors in the ERC Peer Tutoring Program offer you guidance and support in your pursuit of academic achievement. We promote independent learning by assisting you in developing both an awareness of your own learning processes and strong study skills for academic success.

Please keep in mind that Peer Tutoring is only one form of support for your courses.  If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to talk to your Professor, TA/TF, as well as check out our listing of Additional Academic Resources to learn about additional levels of support available to you.

The ERC  offers two types of tutoring:

If you are interested in: 

  • Meeting for 1 ½ hours every week with up to two other students from your course
  • Working together with your classmates and tutor to establish a beneficial learning structure
  • Having structured meetings, which will encourage you to stay current and avoid procrastination
  • Developing stronger study skills that might apply to other courses
  • Meeting with your tutoring group outside of your appointments to collaborate on what you’ve learned
  • Then Weekly Appointments might work for you!
 If you are interested in: 

  • Working one-on-one with a tutor for up to 1 hour
  • Scheduling tutoring as-needed
  • Getting one or two questions answered on a particularly difficult concept
  • Then Single Appointments might work for you, and are best used in tandem with additional BU resources

“It’s very helpful and it makes you stay on top of the course topics. It also encouraged me to do my homework a week in advance to ask any questions to my tutor.”

Please note that Peer Tutoring appointments for Spring 2012 will begin January 27th. Students can begin searching for appointments on January 26th.

How do I know which appointment is best for me?

Use our comparison guide to help determine which type of appointment might work best for you.

What can I expect from a tutoring appointment?

  • Your tutor will work with you (and the group) to help clarify confusing topics or materials from class
  • Your tutor will ask you to participate in your appointments, so be sure to come prepared with questions and a willingness to contribute.
  • Your appointment will be a judgment-free space for you to ask any and all questions.
  • You will be challenged to work through your questions with the guidance of your Peer Tutor
  • You tutor is a guide, not an expert.
  • Peer Tutoring does not replace attending class, nor does it solely offer test preparation.
  • You, as the student, will come prepared for your tutoring appointments with questions either from lecture or from homework.
  • Be sure to have specific questions for your tutor prepared prior to your appointment.
  • Bring all course materials: textbooks, notes, assignment guidelines, syllabus, study guides.
  • If you are looking for a tutor in a Modern Language, please see these guidelines prior to signing up.
  • If you are looking for a tutor in a Romance Language, please see these guidelines prior to signing up.

Is there anything I should NOT expect?

  • Your tutor is a student just like you- Tutors do not have all the answers. They are not your professor nor are they an expert in the field.
    • Please keep in mind that Peer Tutoring is only one form of support for your course. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to talk to your Professor, TA/TF, as well as check out our listing of Additional Academic Resources to learn about additional levels of support available to you.
  • Do your homework first, then bring questions to the appointment. Your tutor will not do your homework for you.
  • Your tutor will not have a lesson plan prepared ahead of time.
  • You will need to bring your own materials with you. The ERC does not have access to all of the textbooks and materials required for courses.
  • Your tutor does not have access to your course Blackboard site.
  • Please do not expect a recap of lectures you may have missed – peer tutoring does not replace going to class!

What are the general policies of the ERC’s Peer Tutoring Program?

  • In order to receive a tutor from the ERC, you must be registered in the course in which you wish to receive tutoring.
  • The Peer Tutoring Program has the following appointment limits:
    • Per course, a student may sign up for 1 Weekly appointment OR up to 3 Single appointments (if available) in a 10 day period
      • Students who elect to participate in Weekly appointments have the option of also signing up for 1 Single appointment
    • Any student who attempts to sign up for appointments beyond these limits will have their over-limit appointments cancelled at the discretion of ERC staff
  • You will arrive on time for your tutoring appointment
    • In the case of Weekly appointments, you will meet with your tutor every week after signing up or risk losing tutoring privileges for the remainder of the semester
    • If you need to cancel an appointment (Weekly or Single), you must email your tutor at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled start of your appointment
    • Repeated cancellations may jeopardize your participation in the Peer Tutoring program
  • All tutors and tutees are expected to adhere to the Academic Code of Conduct:
    • Any work submitted by a student must be their own
    • Any deviation from this may be considered academic misconduct
    • Any violation of Academic Code of Conduct will result in immediate termination of Peer Tutoring services

What happens if I miss an appointment? If I’m late to an appointment?

  • Students who do not cancel their appointment with at least 24 hours notice are marked Missed (proper cancellation procedures can be found here)
  • Students who do not show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time of the appointment are marked Missed
  • Students who do not come to their scheduled appointment are marked Missed
  • A student with TWO Missed appointments on record will not be able to make any additional appointments, and will be removed from their Weekly Appointments until they have come in to speak with ERC staff about their TutorTrac account

How do I sign up for a tutoring appointment?

  1. Take a moment to read and understand what types of tutoring appointments are available: comparison guide
  2. Be familiar with the policies of the ERC’s Peer Tutoring Program. By signing up for tutoring appointments (weekly or single), you are agreeing to these policies.
  3. Learn how to use the TutorTrac software to make an appointment. You can use:
    • Watch the video tutorial. Be sure to adjust your sound and/or use the Closed Captioning feature.
    • Read the pdf instructions to sign up for a Single Appointment or a Weekly Appointment.
    • Please be sure when you are signing up for appointments that you are allotting enough time to get from your class or residence hall to the ERC.