Tutoring
Learning Support Services offers a variety of tutoring programs designed to help students succeed academically through collaborative learning experiences. Whether you need course-specific drop-in support or regular weekly meetings, LSS has a program for you!
Group Tutoring
Group Tutoring at Learning Support Services provides an engaging, collaborative space for students to deepen their understanding of course material alongside peers. There are two formats available: Large Group and Small Group Tutoring, each designed to support different learning styles, courses, and needs.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) incorporates high-touch practice sessions that closely follow the content and lecture material of a course. In SI Sessions, students work collaboratively to practice concepts and problems from lecture. The SI Leader attends each lecture and prepares unique sessions throughout the week that incorporate active learning strategies and collaborative learning techniques.
Individual services for DRC affiliates
Learning Support Services offers individual tutoring specifically for DRC (Disability Resource Center) affiliates who benefit from personalized academic support. These one-on-one sessions are designed to provide focused assistance tailored to your unique learning needs and course content.
Group Tutoring
Large Group Tutoring
Large Group Tutoring is a drop-in, out-of-class practice session where up to 15 students work together on practice problems, review key concepts, and prepare for exams. These sessions are activity-based and emphasize community building, peer discussion, and hands-on learning. Students learn by doing and engaging with each other, tackling course challenges, and developing skills for academic success.
Small Group Tutoring
Small Group Tutoring offers a more intimate setting, typically with 4–6 students, allowing for deeper discussion and more tailored support. These 1-hour weekly sessions require a quarter-long commitment and are ideal for students enrolled in courses where consistent, focused engagement with the material contributes to success in the course.
All sessions are led by trained UCSC undergraduate Tutors who have successfully completed the course and are excited to support your academic journey.
Supplemental Instruction
LSS’s SI Program is accredited by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction as of Dec 2024. This certifies that our program meets the expectations set by the International Center. Our SI Leaders are highly trained and regularly evaluated to continuously grow and develop our program.
Supplemental Instruction (SI) incorporates high-touch practice sessions that closely follow the content and lecture material of a course. In SI Sessions, students work collaboratively to practice concepts and problems from lecture. The SI Leader attends each lecture and prepares unique sessions throughout the week that incorporate active learning strategies and collaborative learning techniques.
What is the difference between Group Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction?
Group Tutoring
1 Group Tutor hired per course, typically
Tutor prepares one session per week and holds the session repeatedly throughout each week
Focuses on the content of the week rather than each lecture
15 student max
Supplemental Instruction (SI)
2-3 SI Leaders per course, typically
Each SI Leader prepares a unique session for each lecture of the week, therefore each practice session is fresh and different
Focuses each practice session on the content of each lecture
15 student max
Supplemental Instruction is supported by GANAS Career Pathways – a Title V, Part A Developing Hispanic Serving Institution Program funded by the US Department of Education.
Individual services for DRC affiliates
Learning Support Services offers individual tutoring specifically for DRC (Disability Resource Center) affiliates who benefit from personalized academic support. These one-on-one sessions are designed to provide focused assistance tailored to your unique learning needs and course content.
I’m affiliated with the Disability Resource Center: How do I make a request for Individual Services?
Step one: confirm your affiliation
Confirm your affiliation with the Disability Resource Center and Request Services for Tutoring. The most important step is to affiliate with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and meet with a DRC Coordinator about academic accommodations at UC Santa Cruz.
Follow the instructions for affiliating with the DRC, if you are not already.
After you meet with a DRC Coordinator, you must request services through your Accommodate portal. LSS cannot fill an accommodation that has not been approved by a DRC coordinator. Follow the DRC’s instructions to request services.
Step two: request accommodations by LSS
Fill out the Learning Support Services Tutoring Accommodations Request Form for DRC Students to submit an accommodation request at LSS.
Please note: Individual tutoring is a consideration and cannot be guaranteed. LSS does not fill accommodation requests in the following circumstances:
- Requests made for any class that LSS is not currently supporting
- Requests made for any class a student is not currently enrolled in
- Requests made for any class a student is waitlisted for
- Requests made for graduate courses
- Requests for tutoring to help make up an Incomplete
- Requests for courses taken at any other universities or colleges
- Requests made for courses where the professor has asked LSS not to support their course
- Requests to begin tutoring before the program starts
We want tutoring to be successful for you. Students find tutoring most helpful when they submit their accommodation request two weeks before tutoring starts.
When you attend tutoring regularly and often, you will see the most impact on your grades and experience. Sign-up for tutoring as early as you can!