What Are Tutoring Services and Why Do Online Students Need Them?
If you’re unsure about tutoring services as a college student, look at the studies. As a whole, regular tutoring improves student learning outcomes. Students who seek tutoring services exhibit higher persistence rates. There’s also an increase of about 0.2 points in average GPA.
Indeed, you must consider online colleges with free tutoring services. Being in an online college means affordability, quality, and flexibility, as it were. Add free or discounted tutoring services, and you’ve hit the jackpot.
If you’re still new to online tutoring services, here are their main characteristics:
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- Students receive systematic and structured learning experiences like classroom learning. You, the tutee, and your tutor will agree on the parameters, including:
- Topic for discussion (e.g., specific subject or general skills)
- Number of minutes the session will last (e.g., 30-60 minutes)
- Learning outcomes (e.g., improved calculus skills)
- Date and time for next session, if any
- Students receive either a one-on-one session or a group session. In both cases, there’s a more personalized experience than in-classroom learning.
- Tutors and tutees meet via an online platform and a digital communication channel. Zoom is an example.
- Students can improve their academic performance and experience personal growth.
The benefits of tutoring are the same for online and on-campus students. However, online students will likely need tutoring services more for these reasons.
- Lack of face-to-face interaction
- Feeling of lack of peer support or isolation
- Self-paced learning challenges
- Differences in learning styles
- Technical difficulties (e.g., connectivity)
- Lack of motivation or difficulty in staying motivated
The bottom line: Take advantage of online tutoring services and get ahead in your studies.
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The Benefits of Free or Discounted Tutoring for Online Students
Online colleges with free tutoring services get praise for their great service. In the midst of rising college costs, their free services mean one less thing to worry about.
While costs vary for online tutors, these can range between $15 and $45 per hour. Let’s say you avail of online tutoring services for 1-2 hours per week at $15 per week. You’ll spend $60 to $120 per month – and that’s quite a lot of money. Even if you spend 4-8 hours per semester, such as during midterms and finals, it’s still the same.
Fortunately, there are free and discounted tutoring services for online students. You will enjoy several benefits from the cost savings alone. There’s extra money for books, supplies, and living expenses, for example.
Affordable tutoring for online college students provides many academic benefits.
Increased understanding of learning materials
Your tutor can provide more clarity about complex topics and concepts. With your better comprehension, you have more confidence in your class participation.
Improved academic performance and progress
Your regular tutoring sessions can result in increased grades for the abovementioned reasons. The key here is consistent tutoring sessions, not only during midterms or finals. Since these are low-cost or free sessions, you may as well take advantage.
Enhanced skills that contribute to personal growth
You will not only learn complex concepts but also soft skills for your personal growth. The best tutors also teach tutees efficient time management and study skills. You can even learn mnemonics and test-taking strategies.
Reduced stress and anxiety
Your stress at your poor academic performance will affect every aspect of your life. With tutoring support at online colleges, this isn’t as big an issue anymore. You have more confidence and competence to boost your academic performance.
As you see improvements, you’re more motivated to continue with your studies. Indeed, discounted and free academic help for online students extends beyond studies.
How to Find Online Colleges That Offer Free or Low-Cost Tutoring
The trick is finding colleges offering low-cost tutoring programs for online learners. While it seems easy, it isn’t when you’re into it. An online college can assert that it offers discounted or free services but doesn’t in reality.
Here are tips to find online colleges offering affordable or free tutoring services.
- Check the student support services page of the online colleges you’re interested in. See if these services are available.
- Ask the admissions staff or support staff about online tutoring services.
- Check related services, too, such as writing and math centers and peer mentoring.
- Ask students and alumni about their experiences. Online forums are excellent venues for reviews and feedback.
- Read reviews on ranking and review sites, too.
Once you have a list of online colleges with free tutoring services, ask these questions. You can narrow your choices in this manner.
- Are these free, or do they come with a cost?
- How much are the paid tutoring services?
- What are the types of tutoring services available?
- When are tutoring services available?
- Who are the tutors?
- What are the modes of delivery?
Don’t hesitate to ask for more information, especially when payments are involved. You must plan for these costs.
Top Online Colleges Offering Free or Discounted Tutoring Services
These prestigious colleges offer the benefits of tutoring in online education. Check out their official websites for more information.
Arizona State University Online
Students assert that ASU Online delivers the best online college tutoring resources. There’s a wide range of free academic support services offered through many channels. Students use the Academic Support Network and Tutor.com for these services.
University of Florida Online
Gators access free online tutoring services for specific subjects through Academic Resources. Certified tutors teach math, computer science, and writing, among other subjects.
Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU’s Wolak Learning Center offers virtual tutoring and mentoring services. There’s also a 3-credit Learning Strategies Seminar that boosts independent learning.
American Public University System
Students are eligible for 10 hours of free tutoring sessions via Tutor.com with the option to buy more hours. Certified tutors are available 24/7 for one-on-one sessions.
Western Governors University
WGU’s competency-based learning model gets a boost with its free, unlimited, 24/7 tutoring services. Online students choose from group and individual coaching, too.
Purdue University Global
The online Academic Success Centers at Purdue Global offer tutoring services for STEM subjects, business, and writing. There’s no extra charge as these services are included in the tuition.
Liberty University Online
Students at LU Online offer 24/7 tutoring services access via Tutor.com where 3,000 tutors await. Up to 10 hours of free services per semester are available. There’s also an option to buy extra hours.
Capella University
The free tutoring services offered at Capella University cover math, writing, and technology. Subject-matter experts conduct these sessions.
Colorado State University Global
On-demand tutoring services make CSU Global’s student support services effective. Students work with real tutors in one-on-one sessions. There’s also a Writing Center for students seeking help with their writing skills.
Walden University
Walden’s OASIS platform offers students access to peer tutoring services and peer mentors. There are no extra fees involved.
How Free Tutoring Can Help You Succeed in Online Courses
Online courses offer more flexibility and convenience than on-campus courses. There’s no need to travel to the campus to attend in-person classes. You can attend live, synchronous classes anywhere in the world. Asynchronous classes mean 24/7 access to learning materials and self-paced learning.
But online learning has its challenges, too, as mentioned above. This is where tutoring services can address these challenges. Take full advantage of these free services and your online courses become easier.
Deepen your understanding of the course materials
You and your tutor will work together to simplify complex concepts. Sometimes, you will also appreciate a different perspective on a problem. Your tutor can also provide practice problems and useful resources. The more you understand the content, the better your long-term retention, too.
Improve your grades
You’re receiving targeted learning support through tutoring services. Before a tutoring session starts, you and your tutor must agree on parameters. What exactly do you want to learn today? What are your expectations for the session?
Since you can work on your weakest areas, you gain better skills in them. Your class participation and exam performances will reflect your better understanding. Watch as your grades improve with consistent tutoring sessions over time.
Enhance your time management skills
Self-paced learning is a challenge, too. You must find the time and motivation to stay on track. Consistent use of tutoring services can address it. You will learn time management strategies from your tutor, for example.
How to Access Free or Discounted Tutoring at Your Online College
Your online college may offer excellent tutoring services. However, if you don’t know how to access free tutoring at online colleges, it’s all in vain. With that said, here’s a step-by-step guide to do so.
- Start by visiting the student support services website. You can also use the search feature to look for tutoring services.
- Create an account in the student portal if it’s provided. Your next step after logging in is to find the tutoring services section.
- Read the terms and conditions of use. These include the number of free hours, operating hours, and types of tutoring. Check the process of setting appointments and getting live help, too.
- Communicate with authorized staff members if you need help. Do so as many times as necessary.
- Determine your tutoring needs. Compare them with the tutoring services available. Choose the tutoring services that meet your needs. You may, for example, choose one-on-one tutoring for a math subject.
- Make an appointment. Even with 24/7 access, it’s still best to schedule a session so the tutor can prepare, too.
Don’t stop with these steps, either. You must also thank your tutors and update them on your progress.
Additional Resources for Affordable Academic Support
Affordable academic support for online degrees is useful on its own. However, if your online college doesn’t offer tutoring services, alternatives are a must. These alternatives are also useful if you want more than tutoring services.
- Check out online tutoring platforms with free or low-cost tutoring services. Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy are excellent platforms.
- Use study apps for your homework and exams. Brainscape, Quizlet, and Photomath are popular among college students.
- Create or join virtual study groups with your peers. You can also request certified tutors or upperclassmen to join. You can work with classmates and tutors to understand complex topics.
- Make full use of Open Educational Resources (OERs). MIT OpenCourseWare and OpenStax are a must-see, at least.
- Take advantage of social media, such as YouTube educational channels. Consider Professor Leonard and PatrickJMT for math tutorials.
- Ask about free tutoring services from your local libraries.
In conclusion, online colleges with free tutoring services enable students to learn more and learn better. You can improve your academic performance and progress. There’s also the possibility of social interactions, maybe even making new friends, through tutoring.
But their effectiveness lies in your willingness to use tutoring services. So, take advantage of them.