Center for Advising and Academic Support (CAAS)
Doing homework, writing essays, or even catching up with lectures can be overwhelming in college, especially if English is your second language. But don’t worry! St. Olaf has the free academic resources offered by the Center for Advising and Academic Support. CAAS provides writing support, speaking support (for class discussions and presentations), help sessions for specific classes, and even individual tutoring sessions with a qualified student tutor. The office will also help you get accommodations if you have a disability.
Writing Help Desk
The writing help desk in Rolvaag Library is available for all St. Olaf students who need help on their papers. They could help you from brainstorming ideas to polishing final drafts. Learn more about it from here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/asc/writing-help/
Speaking Center
Even for native English speakers, participating in class discussions and giving presentations can be hard. There are tutors available for all St. Olaf students who need help on practicing and gaining confidence in speaking in class. Learn more about it from here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/asc/speaking-center/
Help Sessions for Specific Classes (SI)
Many courses at St. Olaf offer help sessions led by fellow students who have taken the class before. These help sessions are called SI (supplemental instruction). Usually, on the first day of class, the professor will tell you if the course provides SI sessions. SI sessions can be very helpful in understanding the class material. Learn more:
https://wp.stolaf.edu/asc/supplemental-instruction-si/
Tutoring
Free one-on-one peer tutoring is available in most courses upon request, referral, and in consultation with faculty. Tutors collaborate with faculty and CAAS staff to monitor student progress. Some faculty may require a meeting with students before students can request a tutor from CAAS. Learn more about it from here:
https://wp.stolaf.edu/academic-support/tutoring/
Disability and Access (DAC)
If you have a learning disability or another disability that affects you academically, please check out the resources available to you through the Academic Support Center. We care about you and want to make sure you get the support you need!
https://wp.stolaf.edu/academic-support/dac/
All of these CAAS resources are free and available to ALL students. There might be a cultural stigma when it comes to asking for help or getting tutoring but I would like to clarify that these resources are used by the vast majority of St. Olaf students. They should be an integral part of your academic life and not an addition.