By Kevin Pilar, Current Student Communications 

You might think tutoring is something you turn to only when you’re falling behind in your studies. But peer tutoring can help you in many different ways. You may need help understanding a concept, or maybe you need a second opinion on an assignment, a confidence boost or to just talk to another student who understands what you’re going through.

Quinn, a peer tutor with the Douglas College Learning Centre, helps students develop essays, organize ideas, learn citation styles and communicate their thinking more clearly. He says some students come in with a specific problem, while others simply want another perspective on their work.

“Not everyone who visits the Learning Centre is struggling with the material,” says Quinn. “Sometimes, talking things through with another person is all they need.”

Don’t know what to ask? No problem

If you sign up for a tutoring session, you don’t need to arrive with a specific question or a clear idea of what you need help with. Your first session might simply involve talking through what’s going on and figuring out a place to start.

From there, your peer tutor will work with you to identify the challenge and help you decide what to focus on. And remember: The goal isn’t to provide answers or complete assignments for you. It’s to help you develop the skills and confidence to work through challenges yourself.

Get help when you need it

Kali, a peer tutor who helps students with subjects like math, chemistry, biology and physics, knows firsthand what it’s like to need support. During her studies, she got sick and wasn’t sure she’d be able to complete her education. But with help from Douglas College student services – including peer tutors at the Learning Centre – she got back on track, graduated from Douglas and is now at SFU.

Still a peer tutor at Douglas, Kali says her experience has shaped how she approaches her work with students. Having relied on support herself, she understands how difficult it can be to ask for help and wants students to know they don’t have to navigate challenges on their own.

“I think it’s important that students don’t feel afraid or shy to reach out and get help when they need it,” she says.

For Quinn and Kali, the most rewarding part of tutoring is seeing students become more confident. That might mean learning how to break down a complicated assignment, becoming more comfortable asking questions or realizing they understand more than they thought.

So, whether you’re preparing for an exam, working through an assignment, need another set of eyes on your work or just want to talk something out, the Learning Centre’s peer tutors are here to help.

But wait, there’s more

While the Learning Centre is often a starting point for academic support, it’s part of a broader ecosystem of supports available to you at Douglas. Depending on your area of study, you can access resources such as the Math Lab, Psychology Lab and Geography Open Labs. Together, these services give you multiple ways to ask questions, build confidence and strengthen your understanding of course material.

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About the Learning Centre

The Learning Centre supports Douglas College students enrolled in accredited courses through a range of peer and professional learning services. Through tutoring, learning skills support, and other academic resources, students can build skills, gain confidence, and learn how to learn in an inclusive and accessible learning environment.

Learn more about the Douglas College Learning Centre.