It’s 11:47 p.m. on a Wednesday, and Thomas Cooper Library is alive with quiet chaos. The soft hum of keyboards fills the air, interrupted only by the occasional sigh of frustration. Some students are furiously typing away, others are hunched over iPads, gripping their coffees like lifelines. You’re at a corner table, surrounded by a mess of highlighters, half-done practice problems and a color-coded set of notes that stopped making sense hours ago.
Take heart, the Student Success Center, located on the Mezzanine Level of Thomas Cooper Library, is open six days a week and ready to help you study smarter, not harder. From Supplemental Instruction sessions and one-on-one tutoring to time-management coaching and study strategies workshops, the center can show you how to get exam-ready without cramming. All the center services are free.
Supplemental Instruction sessions
“It definitely helped me pass some of my classes, and it’s pretty user-friendly.”
If you’ve ever wished you could get study help from someone who understands what taking your class is like, Supplemental Instruction is the answer.
These sessions are led by students who have already taken and succeeded in the course. They don’t just rehash lectures. They break down concepts, lead discussions and share tips on how to approach difficult material. These interactive sessions allow you to work through problems, ask questions and learn alongside your peers.
To find a Supplemental Instruction session, check out the Student Success Center website or ask your professor for available sessions in your course.
Tutoring options
Sometimes, you just need personalized help, and that’s where tutoring comes in. The Student Success Center offers one-on-one tutoring by appointment and select drop-in tutoring hours when no appointment is needed.
Subjects covered include chemistry, math, writing, biology and more. If you’re struggling to study for an exam or just need help working through a challenging problem, peer tutors are here to guide you by going beyond the answers and helping you understand the material.
To schedule a session, visit the tutoring page or stop by during drop-in hours at Thomas Cooper Library.
“Being a peer tutor has helped me grow as a leader and also grow as a student. Helping students learn and process information has also helped me adapt new study skills! ”
Study skills workshops, time-management coaching
The Student Success Center offers workshops on the basics of how to study in addition to course-specific topics.
- Time-management sessions teach you how to create a study schedule that works so you can stay on track without last-minute cramming.
- Active recall and memory techniques help you move beyond passive reading and improve retention, making studying more effective.
- Stress management workshops provide strategies to keep a clear mind and perform at your best.
Exam review, practice tests
Some professors or Supplemental Instruction leaders offer review sessions leading up to finals, these are a golden opportunity to get insider tips on what to focus on.
Additionally, practicing under exam-like conditions can make a huge difference. Practice tests and study groups help you check your knowledge and identify weak spots before the exam.
How to find a review session: Check your course syllabus or ask your professor. Look at the Student Success Center's event calendar for upcoming sessions. Ask your Supplemental Instruction leader if they are holding an extra review before the final.
Best practices
Getting ready for finals isn’t just about how many hours you study but how effectively you use that time. The Student Success Center offers tools to help, but using them correctly makes all the difference.
“Attending SI sessions not only helped boost my grades but also connected me with classmates who shared my struggles, making tough courses more manageable.”
Start early: Studies show that spacing out your study sessions helps with long-term retention and reduces stress. Use tutoring and study sessions weeks in advance rather than trying to squeeze everything in the night before. The earlier you start, the more time you have to understand the material — not just memorize it.
Find what works for you: Not everyone learns the same way. Some students thrive in a group setting, while others need one-on-one help to grasp concepts fully. Group learners can use Supplemental Instruction sessions and study groups to discuss complex material and bounce ideas off others. One-on-one tutoring sessions can help you go at your own pace and focus on the areas where you need the most support.
Use multiple resources for maximum impact: Stack your resources. Using a mix of tutoring and study workshops can help you cover all your bases.
The Student Success Center is open 4-9 p.m. on Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.
Book an appointment online for one-on-one tutoring or time-management coaching.