Tutoring FAQ

• Who is eligible for TLC tutoring?

  Any student registered in a course covered by the program (see below) is eligible to schedule one session per day per course.

   

• What courses are covered with tutoring?

  BIOL 121 BIOL 122 BIOL 203 BIOL 204

  CHEM 105 CHEM 203 CHEM 205 CHEM 211 CHEM 212 CHEM 230 CHEM 231

  MATH 192 MATH 201 MATH 202 MATH 211 MATH 216

  PHYS 211 PHYS 212

   

• Is there a charge for TLC tutoring?

  No! All TLC services are free of charge for all students.

   

• How do I book an appointment?

  Visit bucknell.edu/bookTLCtutoring, and select the  "Click here to SCHEDULE A TUTORING SESSION" button at the top.  Courses covered by TLC Tutoring in which you are enrolled will be shown in a list; select the course and choose from the available dates. 

  • You must book at least 6 hours in advance in order to give tutors the opportunity to prepare for your appointment.
  • We ask that you book no more than one appointment per subject per day, in order to maximize tutoring coverage for all.
  • If you are unable to attend a booked appointment, you must cancel the appointment in the system at least two hours prior or it will be marked as "missed."
    • Four missed appointments in a semester will result in the revocation of your tutoring privileges.
  • Tutors are required to wait 15 minutes for late clients; if you are running late for your appointment, please contact your tutor directly through the app.

   

• How do I cancel an appointment?

  To CANCEL an appointment, click on the appointment tile in the "Your Activity" section below, then click on the three dots at the top right. IMPORTANT: You MUST cancel within Penji for the system to recognize the cancellation. Declining the GCal event will NOT cancel your appointment.  Any appointment cancelled within 6 hours of the scheduled time will be considered "missed."  

   

• What if I miss an appointment without cancelling?

  If you miss FOUR appointments in a 60-day period, our system will automatically prevent you from booking further tutoring appointments for 30 days. (Note that cancelling within 6 hours of an appointment counts as "missed.") This is to ensure these peer support resources are available to students who can make use of the time. You may email tutoring@bucknell.edu if there are extenuating circumstances you would like considered.

   

• What will happen during my tutoring appointment?

  When you book an appointment, you will be asked to give a little detail about what topics you specifically would like to cover. The more information you give, the better your tutor can prepare. You may wish to use the TLC Appointment Preparation Form to capture your thoughts; you can take a photo of the completed form and send it to your tutor prior to the appointment via the app's chat function.

  At the appointment, your tutor will discuss your content concerns as well as your habits and strategies in the course. You and your tutor can work through problems together which address the identified concepts. Making mistakes with and in front of your tutor is going to help you avoid making them elsewhere.

   

• What else can I be doing to be successful in these courses?

  Determine where and why you are stuck, and how you will get help

  • Use this worksheet, which we believe will make any of the following interventions much more effective.

  Consult your instructor (visit their drop-in office hours, or make an appointment)

  • We believe that the professor teaching the course is your best "tutor." Don't be afraid to ask for help. The instructor knows where you are having trouble and can best explain what is expected of you in the class. They can advise you on what to do differently on your own as well.

  • The TLC Appointment Preparation Form can help you set the agenda for your meeting. 

  Sign up for a Study Group

  • These groups meet for 90 minutes once a week at regularly scheduled times and are led by trained group facilitators who have been successful in these subjects. Participants will be expected to come prepared to ask questions, and to work together with other group members to clarify course content and problem solve. The trained facilitator will coach students through problem solving, and guide group work. Visit my.bucknell.edu/StudyGroups to check schedules and register.

  Attend the help sessions (if available)

  • If you attend more regularly, get involved, and ask questions, you will be taking an active role in your own learning process, which can make a big difference.

  Consult with teaching assistants assigned to the course (if available)

  • These students are selected by the department for their ability in the subject and their familiarity with course materials. Often, they are also familiar with the instructor's teaching methods, and thus are well suited to helping students through difficulties in the course.