Boost Your Grades with Academic Tutoring at STLCC
April 03, 2025
Posted by STLCC in Student Resources
Starting college can feel like stepping into a whole new world. New classes, unfamiliar campuses and the pressure to perform can quickly become overwhelming. For many, reaching out for support can seem daunting or even embarrassing. That’s why St. Louis Community College encourages students to use academic success and tutoring (AS&T) resources early in their college journey.
Why Students Hesitate to Ask for Academic Help
For students like Jarvis Mccaston Wright, a Ritenour High School dual enrolled junior taking courses at STLCC-Florissant Valley, entering the academic success and tutoring office was intimidating at first. He worried that classmates would notice him struggling, and feelings of fear and self-consciousness held him back.
Many students feel the same way. Some worry that needing help makes them look “less smart” or like they are falling behind. Others fear being judged by peers or professors. The idea of admitting they don’t have all the answers can feel uncomfortable, especially in a new college environment where everyone seems to be trying to appear confident and in control.
“I started to stop feeling that way after I saw progress, and I eventually saw tutoring is not for people who are struggling – it's to help people become better at studying, better at time management and helping the person better themselves in that subject,” Jarvis said.
“Now, I don't think receiving tutoring in the slightest makes you ‘less smart.’ I think the people who don't seek it out may be.”
Academic Support at STLCC: Tutoring and Coaching
STLCC provides resources designed to help students succeed in college and beyond. Cindy Clausen, manager of academic success and tutoring, brings experience across education, public service, social sciences, business and culinary programs, giving her insight into how students learn and what they need to thrive.
Support comes in two main forms: tutoring and academic coaching. Tutoring focuses on mastering specific subjects such as math, science, writing or communication, guiding students through challenging concepts and assignments. Academic coaching focuses on learning strategies, helping students develop study habits, manage time and apply skills across any class.
Clausen stresses that tutoring and coaching aren’t about intelligence or past performance. “Even occasional sessions with a coach can teach strategies that last a lifetime,” she said. “Spending one focused hour with a tutor or peer can be more valuable than two hours studying alone.”
Through tutoring and coaching, STLCC helps students gain the tools, strategies and confidence they need to succeed in any course and build lifelong learning skills.
Why Early Tutoring Improves College Success
Timing is crucial when it comes to tutoring. Clausen recommends that students meet with a coach during the first four to six weeks of the semester.
“Most students come to AS&T after they have failed a test or been encouraged by a professor to get help after poor performance,” she said.
“We are happy to help these students, but we encourage students to come to coaching before they are struggling. Just as athletes practice weeks before a competition, student preparation begins long before the first exam.”
Getting support early helps students develop effective study habits, learn to manage time efficiently and gain confidence in their academic abilities. Regular sessions in the first part of the semester allow students to identify problem areas, reinforce key concepts and build strategies that carry them through later coursework. By addressing difficulties early, students can avoid falling behind, reduce stress and approach their classes with a stronger sense of control and readiness.
How Tutoring Benefits Every Student
“Students in any major can benefit from working with an academic coach. Even meeting with writing or communication tutors can enhance skills needed in every field,” Clausen explained. “Tutoring strengthens study habits, reading comprehension and problem-solving skills. It helps students become better learners overall.”
Tutors can help students break down complex concepts, organize material effectively and practice strategies that improve retention and performance. These skills go beyond a single course, but are instead transferable to other classes, exams and professional situations.
Academic coaching also teaches students how to approach challenges proactively. By learning how to plan study sessions, manage time efficiently and seek feedback, students build habits that lead to long-term success.
Ultimately, tutoring is a tool for every student to grow as a thinker, a problem solver and a lifelong learner, creating a foundation for success in college and beyond.
Free Tutoring Options for STLCC Students
STLCC offers free tutoring for all students, both in person and online, making academic support easy and accessible. Students can drop-in at one of the campus tutoring locations, schedule appointments through the Navigate app, or get help anytime through Tutor.com within Canvas.
Tutoring covers a wide range of subjects and skills, from math and science to writing and study strategies. Whether you need help understanding difficult concepts, improving test performance or building better study habits, tutors and academic coaches are available to guide you.
Support is flexible and tailored to each student’s needs. You can meet one-on-one with a tutor, work with a peer coach, or join group sessions to strengthen your learning in a collaborative environment. STLCC staff are ready to answer questions, help schedule sessions and provide guidance so you can take full advantage of these free resources.
From Student to Peer Coach: Tutoring Success Story
“I would sit with a tutor for an hour a day before my first class, going over anything I felt uneasy about,” Jarvis said. “Booking appointments through Navigate was simple, and tutors were always available to help.”
Through consistent tutoring, Jarvis developed new note-taking and reading strategies. While he initially struggled with psychology, he saw steady improvement in understanding material and approaching test questions. His persistence paid off.
Jarvis not only improved his grades but also became a peer coach himself.
“He had always performed well in high school, but his study strategies were not working for psychology,” Clausen said. “I was impressed with Jarvis’s willingness to try different techniques. By midterms, he considered dropping the course, but with coaching, he improved and passed. Based on his success and positive attitude, we hired him as a peer coach.”
Peer coaching at STLCC allows students to gain leadership experience while helping their peers succeed. Students learn to communicate concepts, provide guidance and foster a supportive academic community.
Making Tutoring Fun and Rewarding
Clausen emphasizes that tutoring at STLCC is not just about academic support, it can also be engaging and enjoyable. She goes out of her way to celebrate student achievements in creative and memorable ways, making the experience positive and motivating.
“When a student who has studied with me does well on a test, I publicly spike a football,” Clausen said. “It’s a fun way to recognize achievement and motivate students. You earned it!”
These moments of celebration do more than recognize success, they create an encouraging atmosphere where students feel valued and supported. Students often leave sessions feeling more confident, motivated to try new strategies and excited to return for future tutoring.
By turning progress into a shared experience, academic success becomes more enjoyable and rewarding, helping students build a positive relationship with learning.
Taking the First Step: When and How to Seek Help
Asking for help at STLCC is simple, flexible and accessible for all students. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or online support, there are multiple ways to get assistance that fit your schedule and learning style.
Students can:
- Schedule sessions through the Navigate app
- Drop in during campus tutoring hours
- Use Tutor.com through Canvas for online assistance
The key to maximizing tutoring is starting early and maintaining consistent engagement. Even small, regular sessions can have a big impact on understanding difficult concepts, improving grades and developing effective study habits.
STLCC encourages students to view tutoring as a proactive tool for learning, rather than a last resort, giving them the confidence and skills to succeed academically.
Build Confidence, Skills and Academic Success at STLCC
Jarvis' story shows that tutoring is not a sign of weakness. It is about resilience, commitment and growth. By seeking help, students learn strategies that strengthen academic performance, equip them for future challenges and connect them with a supportive community that values learning.
At STLCC, every tutoring session is an opportunity to grow. Each question asked, each strategy learned and each moment of support adds up to a stronger student, a sharper mind and a brighter future. With the right tools and guidance, every Archer can achieve more than they ever thought possible.
