By Meghan Hume | Observer Reporter
MWCC offers help to limit the stress students feel about school work and tests. These sources include The Academic Support Center and the MWCC LaChance Library.
JoAnn Brooks, Assistant Dean of Academic Support Services, works in the Academic Support Center where she supports tutoring and other services they offer for students in need of help. These services include a computer lab, extended time testing for students with disabilities, make- up testing, adaptive lab services, and e- tutoring. “Don’t wait to get help,” Brooks said. “As soon as students think they need help, they should get it.”
Services are offered for all subjects in Room 116, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Gardner campus. The Leominster and Devens campuses also offer tutoring by appointment.
Students don’t always make time to get help and embarrassment seems to be part of the issue, according to Brooks. “Unfortunately some students find it difficult to ask for help,” said Brooks. “But once they come in and get help, they come back.”
Approximately 3,000 student visits occur each fall and spring semester, according to Brooks. Those visits include the multiple times students come back for help in different subjects. “We’re here to help students succeed; that’s our mission,” added Brooks.
The LaChance Library is another good source of help for students. Karen Shepardson, a nursing student at MWCC, has utilized both sources of help in the past. She received tutoring in math and went to the library for help in other subjects as well. “They [the library] did offer me help and were very willing to do so when I needed it for research papers that were assigned to me,” said Shepardson.
The library employs staff members who help students with questions or problems. Heidi McCann, Reference and Instructional Services Librarian, is one of these staff members. “We help people with literally any questions they might have on any topic, whether it is an assignment-related question or something completely unrelated to school,” said McCann. “If we don’t know the answer, or are unable to help, we find out the best person to refer the question to.”
The library offers help in person (Mon – Thurs, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Fridays, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.); by telephone (tollfree 1-888-884-6922); by email ( library@mwcc.mass.edu); chat (http://www.myPlugoo.com/38NVRVKR37T or AOL/AIM with username mwcclibrarian).
“I was never embarrassed to ask for help in the library but I was embarrassed to go to the Math tutor at the Academic Support Center,” said Shepardson. “I know that other classmates of mine have also told me that they too were embarrassed to go there as well, but after going to the Academic Support Center a couple of times, it was more laid back and I didn’t feel like the person in the corner with a dunce cap on (or as much).”
Like Brooks, McCann agrees that students find it embarrassing to seek help. “I think students are actually very often embarrassed, which is sad,” said McCann. “What they don’t realize is that every library staffer whose position and name tag reads “librarian” is a trained information professional… we librarians all have a Masters in Library and Information Science.”
If students find it embarrassing to get help face to face with someone they don’t know, there are other options that are just as effective for help. “One way we help students feel less shy about asking for help is through our anonymous chat services; students love it!” said McCann.
When recommending study techniques, both Brooks and McCann suggest study groups, tutoring, and to ask professionals questions if need be. “In the library we offer private and group study rooms that students can book one week ahead of time, for several hours at a stretch,” said McCann. According to Brooks, the Academic Support Center often has study groups with students that are tutored there. She also recommends taking a look at the study workshops and seminars that are offered at MWCC, as well.
For more information on either the Academic Support Center or the LaChance Library, read brochures or talk to staff in room 116; look McCann up on Facebook; email library@mwcc.mass.edu ; or call 978-630-9333 (Academic Support Center). The Academic Support Center is also online at www. http://www.mwcc.edu/services/asc/default.html.
Comments are closed.