Tutoring: ACE Student Expectations

Prepare for your peer tutoring session by thoroughly reviewing your course materials and completing your assignments in advance. This helps you identify concepts you find confusing or challenging. Once you pinpoint these areas and formulate specific questions, schedule an appointment with a peer tutor. Remember, peer tutors are there to support your learning; they won't complete your homework. Instead, they'll demonstrate sample problems and discuss course material to help you navigate any challenges.

If you don't have specific questions during your session, peer tutors will guide you to resources to review before your next appointment.

Although peer tutors don't edit or proofread assignments, they will focus on empowering you with skills and strategies to achieve your study and writing goals. Keep in mind, peer tutors are students just like you.

Peer tutors will:

• Assist with interpreting and clarifying assignment directions
• Facilitate brainstorming and idea generation
• Ask thoughtful questions to deepen understanding
• Teach effective study strategies and skills
• Quiz you to assess understanding
• Review notetaking methods and organizational setups
• Aid in creating notecards
• Recommend study techniques and time management strategies

Peer tutors will NOT :

• Instruct directly on course materials
• Fix or correct problems on graded assignments
• Complete homework, exams, or quizzes or be present during exams or timed assignments
• Provide notes, class materials, or assignments from previous semesters or created by others
• Communicate or conduct tutoring outside official ACE peer tutoring sessions
• Type or complete coursework on a student's computer
• Create or supply content for any assignment or paper
• Accept assignments or essays via email or drop-off for proofreading or review
• Guarantee improvements in grades or speculate on expected grades

Peer tutors may end a tutoring session if a student is:

• Not actively participating or contributing
• Disrespectful to the peer tutor or the tutoring environment

Policies

ACE peer tutoring services, including appointments and walk-in sessions, are available for current Phoenix Campus undergraduate students in all programs of study, Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing (ABSN) or non-degree nursing (NND) students taking online pre-nursing prerequisites who are enrolled in courses supported by qualified peer tutors. Please refer to the Academic Centers for Excellence (ACE) course availability information for an up-to-date list of supported courses each semester. For instructions on scheduling and canceling appointments, consult the GCU Technical Support article on Career Connections .

Success coaching is also accessible by all currently enrolled Phoenix Campus undergraduate students in all programs of study, ABSN, or NND students who wish to enhance their learning, regardless of their courses. Explore Find a Tutor to locate and self-schedule a peer tutoring appointment through the Symplicity platform (Career Connections).   

Appointment Policies

Students can self-schedule and cancel appointments through the Career Connections system, accessible via the Symplicity website or app. Additional assistance is available through the GCU Technical Support article on Career Connections . Appointments can be booked up to three weeks in advance. If no immediate openings are available, it is recommended to check frequently for new appointment slots. Students may hold up to three upcoming appointments at any given time.  

If a student is more than fifteen minutes late to a scheduled appointment, the Academic Centers for Excellence staff reserve the right to request rescheduling.

Appointment, subject, and course availability varies each semester based on peer tutor availability. If your appointment needs rescheduling due to a change in peer tutor availability, ACE will contact you by phone and/or your GCU student email.

For assistance with appointment booking, please reach out to [email protected] or call 602-693-8901.

Walk-In Policies

Phoenix Campus undergraduate students are welcome to seek walk-in peer tutoring during posted location hours, though scheduling an appointment in advance is recommended. In the first and last two weeks of the semester, ACE campus in person locations will operate on a walk-in only basis to support Phoenix Campus students during the Finals Focus weeks of Fall and Spring semesters. Walk-in services are first-come, first-served, and students may have the option to join small group sessions with other students.

Student Responsibilities

Attend all classes, utilize faculty office hours, participate in college or faculty supplemental instruction and review sessions when applicable. Peer tutoring enhances, but doesn't replace, classroom learning. Skipping classes may result in missing important instructions or guidelines.

Bring class notes and examples to allow the peer tutors to offer relevant support. Prepare questions and discussion points related to the course content in advance. Attempt assignments and complete readings before seeking assistance. Active participation in the peer tutoring session is crucial. Remember, peer tutors are not instructors; if additional guidance is needed, they may refer you to your faculty.

Recording Prohibited

Per the University Policy Handbook, recording of any kind in the classroom (or wherever academic instruction occurs), including the use of any audio or video technology, is prohibited without prior written permission or an approved accommodation by Student Disability Services.