Tutoring Center Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 15 most requested courses?

Summer 2025-Spring 2026 requests:

Math 1040 - Statistics (1,306 requests)
Chem 1110/15 - Elementary Chemistry and Lab (1,068 requests)
Chem 1210/15 - Principles of Chemistry I and Lab (979 requests)
Math 1010 - Intermediate Algebra (887 requests)
Math 1050 - College Algebra (869 requests)
Math 1210 - Calculus I (774 requests)
Biol 1610/15 - General Biology I and Lab (638 requests)
Biol 2320/25 - Human Anatomy and Lab (593 requests)
Chem 1220/25 - Principles of Chemistry II and Lab (508 requests)
Math 1060 - Trigonometry (457 requests)
Biol 2420/25 - Human Physiology and lab (444 requests)
Chem 2310/25 - Organic Chemistry and Lab (405 requests)
Chem 1120/25 - Elementary Organic Bio-Chemistry and Lab (370 requests)
Acct 2010 - Accounting Principles (348 requests)
Math 1220 - Calculus II (339 requests)

These courses are known as "historically difficult" courses. They also have high enrollment. Simply put, they are difficult courses and lots of students take them. You will see roughly this same list at every university.

What is expected from students?

Yes, students are expected to:

Be an active participant in your education.
Have materials available (e.g., class notes, assignment guidelines, textbooks, calculator, etc.)
Be prepared. Come with questions or an idea of what you would like to cover. Help guide the tutor to your needs whether that be course content, study skills, or test-taking strategies.
Attend class lectures (online or in-person). Tutors are undergraduate students, not professionals in the field, so they are not a substitute for class instruction.

What is expected from tutors?

Students can expect tutors to:

Be supportive and professional.
Answer questions and provide explanations and advice to the best of their ability.
Work WITH you but not FOR you.
Be mindful to not violate SUU's academic integrity policy.
NOT correct your homework, projects, take-home exams, or math labs. They will provide useful comments and suggestions to help foster independent learning.
NOT try to predict what your grade will be on your assignments and cannot speak for your instructor. Please ask your instructor for any clarification on an assignment or a grade.

How many students do you serve?

We serve roughly 1,200-1,500 undergraduate students each semester across all our services.

How does drop-in tutoring work?

Check in using one of three methods:

Our front desk computers
The "Tutoring Queue" link on the left side of your MySUU portal
The "Queue for a Tutor" button on the drop-in tutoring webpage.

Answer the questions and submit your request, then find your seat. Your request will alert tutors that you are ready for assistance. A tutor will be with you as soon as they are available.

Can I get online tutoring?

Yes. Drop-in tutoring and recurring one-on-one tutoring are offered online (as well as in-person). Visit these pages (drop-in tutoring and recurring tutoring) to learn how to access each.

How much time should I expect from tutors?

Drop-in tutoring - If we are busy (lots of students wanting help), probably about 20-25 minutes. But you can re-queue yourself for more help if needed. Tutors can spend more time if it is slower.

Recurring one-on-one tutoring - These appointments are 45-minutes long with the same tutor each time.

How many courses does the Tutoring Center serve?

We typically serve over 150 courses each semester.

How do I know if there is a tutor for my course?

Visit the drop-in tutoring page to see all our tutors and the courses they serve. You can use the drop-down fields to filter by subject and course. Tutors also serve the labs for courses, but to keep the lists a little more streamlined, the labs aren't listed.

Are there courses you don't tutor?

There are numerous courses we never get requests for and therefore don't regularly have tutors for them.

The Writing Center helps with writing assignments for any course.

The Public Speaking Center helps with Communication courses and other courses requiring presentations.

Foreign Language tutoring is provided by the Department of Foreign Languages and Philosophy (although we typically have tutors who can serve Spanish courses and sometimes other foreign languages).

How do I get a tutor for a course that isn't listed on the website?

Contact us at tutoringcenter@suu.edu and ask if a tutor for the course is possible. Sometimes we have a tutor who has had the course, but hasn't listed it. The course might be served by the Writing Center or the Public Speaking Center. But you may have to work with classmates or visit your instructor during office hours.

Is there tutoring available for graduate-level courses?

No. Because of the nature of graduate study, it is rare for universities to provide tutors for graduate courses. Graduate students should seek the assistance of their instructor or classmates.

Is there a fee for tutoring?

Drop-in and group tutoring are FREE for all students.

Recurring, pre-scheduled, one-on-one tutoring is the only service that has a small fee and we've tried to keep the cost low for students. ($12 per 45-minute appointment, billed when tutoring is discontinued.)

Do I need to make an appointment for tutoring?

Recurring one-on-one tutoring is the only service that requires a pre-scheduled appointment and allows you to work with the same tutor each week for 45 minutes each time.

I have a test next week. Can I pay for just one or two 45-minute tutoring sessions?

Unfortunately, no. This would increase demand so significantly that we would quickly run out of tutors and leave some students without help at the most critical time. Instead, we encourage students to come early and often for tutoring assistance, as well as to take advantage of any Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) groups that might be available and can serve higher-volumes of students.

Why don't you have more tutors for 3000- and 4000-level classes?

Because tutors graduate soon after taking these courses. Upper-division students are encouraged to use professor office hours and/or work with classmates.

Are there times when the Tutoring Center is less busy, so I can get more free drop-in help?

It varies. Mornings and later evenings tend to see less demand, but we also have fewer tutors on at those times to match (also most students are in class at 9:00, including tutors). Our busy times tend to be right before an exam or when homework is due (when the rest of your classmates also come in). So start studying early and don't wait until the last minute.

I am looking for a tutor, but I am not affiliated with SUU. Can you help me?

Parents looking for a tutor for their K-12 child should contact the SUU STEM Center. Non-SUU students should contact their educational institution, as most have tutoring support. They can also contact the Career and Professional Development Center to enquire about posting a job to hire a private tutor. The Tutoring Center does not arrange private tutoring for non-SUU students or Concurrent Enrollment students.