TLC and Semester Conversion

The University of Cincinnati Clermont College is undergoing next changes with semester conversion, but The Learning Center will largely remain the same—offering the best tutoring in a variety of subjects accessible to all UC Clermont students. However, one key thing to consider is how you use TLC may change due to semesters.

With longer sections, the possibilities to receive more tutoring in a single class increases. Often times, students would wait until week five to start seeking the help they need, but with the class half over in the quarter system, they would find it was quite late to get help. Now you have even more time to (1) acclimate yourself to the class and (2) seek tutoring when you need it. In this way, semesters prove quite helpful to your learning process and how you use TLC services.

See you during the semester.

TLC: Not Just for Tutoring

At The Learning Center, tutoring is clearly the name of the game. Garnering more than 5,000 tutoring sessions every academic year, TLC is a dynamic place where individual students work towards improving their grades. However, if you think TLC is only about tutoring, you are only getting half the picture. The list below describes ten other services TLC provides, so you have a better understanding of what TLC can do for you:

1) SI--Supplemental Instruction is our most popular program. Supporting several sections of chemistry, biology, psychology, and mathematics a quarter, Supplemental Instruction teams students with students in the name of collective academic success.

2) Study Space--The Learning Center offers roughly ten tables for students to study, either alone or in groups. Also, feel free to ask a tutor a question if you're stumped with a question or need help studying.

3) Math Placement--If you are about to take the math placement test, The Learning Center offers math placement assistance that will help you refresh your math concepts before taking the placement test. Learn more at http://www.ucclermont.edu/tlc/MathPlacementTest1.html.

4) Study Skills Assistance--The Learning Center does not only have a place to study; we can teach you how to study. Our study skills specialist, Amy Abafo, can teach you strategies to help you get the best test scores.

5) Computers--The Learning Center offers six computers for student usage. Pop in and print out an assignment or work on your online math assignments with the help of a tutor.

6) Free Coffee/Candy--Power up for your classes with caffeine and sugar! All right, it may not be the best for you, but a quick jolt of energy helps get you through those tough classes.

7) Computer/Blackboard Help--Not only do we offer computers for student usage, but we offer help on how to use them. From learning how to use blackboard, navigate websites, or master Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to more advance programming questions, TLC can help you with the majority of computer questions.

8) Supplies--Need to staple your essays before submitting them? Need a three-hole punch? Need to borrow a pencil or pen? The Learning Center has numerous supplies for students. As long as you don't abuse the services, we can help you out.

9) College Questions--The Learning Center staff is knowledgeable about many campus organizations, services, and events. Feel free to ask us questions about the college. If we don't know the answer, we probably know the best source to get you the answer you need.

10) Awesome Events--Last, but not least, TLC routinely offers special events and celebrations to which all students are welcomed. Free pizza is typically a fixture at these events, so like us on Facebook to keep abreast of event developments.

http://www.facebook.com/ClermontTLC

Tutor Spotlight: Miranda Scharf

The hits just keep on coming. Meet English tutor, Miranda Scharf. 

Tell us about yourself:

I have a BFA in Theatre Arts and a Minor in English from DePaul University. I am currently seeking a second bachelor’s degree from UC in Liberal Arts while I figure out my next steps. I’m considering a graduate degree in History or Popular Culture.

Why do you like tutoring?

I love being an English tutor because I enjoy helping people develop and refine their ideas. I’m considering being a college professor. So getting an opportunity to work with other students now is great practice. The best part of being an English tutor is talking with other students about their ideas, and feeling like I made their writing process a little easier.

What are some challenges to tutoring students?

The worst part about being an English tutor is not knowing how the students did after their tutoring session since I don’t always get a chance to tutor them again.

What are some things you like to do when you're not tutoring?

My main hobby is working on and going to see theatre, it is something I’m passionate about. I also enjoy reading, going for walks in my neighborhood (Clifton), and seeing live music, especially bands that my friends are in.

Tutor Spotlight: Traci Listo

Continuing our ever-so-popular Tutor Spotlight Series, we now focus on our dual-threat tutor, Traci Melissa Listo who tutors English and American Sign Language.

Describe your educational background/goals:

I graduated from Milford High School in May of 2010; that fall I started at UC Clermont.  This spring I will receive my associates in Liberal Arts, as well as my Deaf Studies certificate.  My educational goals are to maintain my spot on the Dean's list and to decide on a major.

What is the best part about being an ASL tutor?

Tutoring American Sign Language gives me time to practice, as well as give other students the cultural knowledge they may not know yet.  I love helping people learn the language as well as the culture.  ASL allows for a lot of creativity with facial and body expressions, and it is awesome to see people learning how to use their faces and bodies to effectively hold a conversation. 

What is the biggest challenge to ASL English?

ASL can be a challenging subject, and it can difficult to remember the vocabulary on the beginning level versus the intermediate level.  I have to remember to sign slowly and keep my sentences very basic, based on the student's skill.  I also get questions about the origin of signs, which I can't always answer.

What are some other fun facts about yourself?

Other than working at TLC, I work at a country club in Amelia, not that that's interesting.  A couple of my life goals, outside of academics, are growing hair long enough to recreate the Lady Godiva look, and to marry Bob Dylan, gain his riches, and have the title of Bob Dylan's Wife.

Tutor Spotlight: Clayton Belcher

The Learning Center employs several students to serve as tutors and SI Leaders, and to better get to know our TLC student assistants, we thought we would spotlight a few of them. We asked veteran English tutor, Clayton Belcher, a few questions to which he provided his unique perspective. 

Describe your educational background/goals.
During compulsory education, I bounced between a few public schools and homeschooling, drawing the saga to a close with two years of PSEO here at Clermont during high school. For my first year as a matriculated college student, I transferred to the College of Mt. St. Joseph for Media Design, but soon returned to the hills and hollers of Batavia to work toward an Associate degree in Business Management. I plan to continue my education afterward and earn a Bachelor’s in something—I’m still narrowing down the list of SUPER COOL AWESOME EXCELLENT FANTASTIC THINGS to do with my life.


What is the best part about being an English tutor?
The thing I like most about tutoring English is the paycheck. (Unfortunately, the limits of written language prevent you from seeing the mischievous look that would be plastered on my face if I said that aloud.) I love helping people and seeing the dawn of comprehension when something confusing has been cleared up. There’s nothing like having students go from a state of abject terror to one of only mild panic. Also, I like the food that sometimes magically appears in TLC.


What is the biggest challenge to tutoring English?
The biggest challenge in English tutoring is helping people who don’t pay attention in class and don’t have any assignment sheets, and so have no idea what they even want help with. Shamey McShamerson on them! Eyes to the front and phones away, responsible students. It might help to develop the muscles behind your ears so you can better direct those cartilaginous soundholes at your professors.


Provide a few fun/interesting facts about yourself.
I’m quite a goofus. In my free time, I like to be a computer nerd. I have developed a commercial puzzle game for PC and am currently developing an iOS game. I also dabble in graphic design and am frequently found stamping my feet in frustration at my unceasing recognition of typefaces everywhere. I like to read fun, simple books and revel in my uncultured tastes. I also like to play the piano and accordion and have aspirations of picking up the bass so I can play a hammerin’ bassline in the TLC band, Traci and the Cunninghams.

Check Out TLC Newsletter

Fall quarter 2011 was an extremely momentous quarter at TLC. Please check out our newsletter at the link below, recapping all the notable events.

Newsletter link: http://prezi.com/rspf0wyrzq6r/tlc-winter-2011-newsletter/

How TLC Can Help You the Final Weeks of the Quarter

How TLC Can Help You the Final Weeks of the Quarter

The final weeks of the quarter can be a stressful time for many students. With final exams, papers, and assignments beginning to pile up, the mountain of work can be overwhelming. But have no fear. Here are five ways TLC can help you clear the final fall quarter hurdle:

1) A TLC Preemptive Approach

The most beneficial thing you can do to help your final exam success is to come to TLC the last two weeks of the quarter and work with our tutors to properly prepare for your final exams. We have several tutors in nearly every academic area, and with the addition of our new full-time science tutor, Mel Mpagi, you would have a winning formula for your Chemistry and Biology exams.

2) Writing Assistance

Just as stressful as final exams, final essays in English and other courses can consume even more of your time. To ensure that you get the best grade possible, bring multiple drafts to Joseph Cunningham and other English tutors before the essay is due to ably secure your success.

3) Study Skills

Sometimes, all you need is a little strategy. The Learning Center offers study skills strategies from Amy Abafo. See Amy to learn more about controlling test anxiety and studying in a way that helps you retain your material.

4) Supplemental Instruction

Have you been going to SI this quarter? If you have a class supported by Supplemental Instruction, you recognize that it gives you the winning edge in Math, Chemistry, Biology, and Psychology. Attending SI sessions at the end of the quarter will provide important collaborative reviews to ensure that you are successful.

5) Exam Week Crunch

Although cramming for exams and receiving last minute help is not the best way to succeed in your courses, The Learning Center will be ready to help you with last minute questions and help on assignments if you need it.