With midterm exams approaching in the following weeks, students should start preparing for their exams now to avoid all-nighters and cram sessions later.

The University College Action Center offers group tutoring sessions students can tailor to their own class and study schedules.

Part of the Assessment and Learning Center, the UC Action Center offers tutoring sessions for a wide range of subjects. They are led by graduate and teaching assistants and trained undergraduate Peer Learning Assistants who specialize in their respective fields, said Tammy Pratt, director of the Assessment and Learning Center.

Louise Vo, zoology senior, is an undergraduate PLA who has tutored for the UC Action Center since fall 2008 teaching general chemistry I and II and physiology courses. She conducts scheduled group tutoring sessions and individual tutoring appointments.

Vo said her role as an undergraduate PLA is to help students understand concepts from their class lectures, as well as answer any questions students may bring to the sessions.

Michelle Reed, zoology junior, has gone to the UC Action Center for three semesters in preparation for her chemistry exams.

She said the undergraduate PLAs helped her understand concepts tested in her classes. After attending group tutoring sessions, Reed said she saw a major improvement in her grades.

To take advantage of the center’s resources, follow these steps:

Check out the schedules online

To see the schedules for all group tutoring sessions, visit the UC Action Center schedule online first, Pratt said.

Next, decide which times and locations best fit your schedule. Then plan to attend the group session.

Pratt said students can find out when each subject’s sessions take place on the website.

For example, if students are seeking assistance in chemistry, they can go online to the UC Action website and find out all the chemistry courses the UC Action Center offers, Pratt said.

Find the sessions that best suit your schedule

Most tutoring sessions take place in Wagner Hall, the Housing Learning Center in Adams Center Muldrow Tower and the Modern Languages Learning Center in Kaufman Hall, Pratt said. Though these are the main tutoring locations, Pratt said UC Action Center tutoring takes place all over OU’s campus.

Students can make appointments for individual tutoring by calling the Assessment and Learning Center office. Walk-in tutoring sessions are also available, as well as online tutoring sessions.

Come prepared for each session

When students come to the center, they should be prepared to ask questions and bring something to work on, Vo said.

It’s best to attend sessions well in advance of exams to get the most out of the tutoring experience.

“We have a lot of students who come in right before the exam, which can be helpful, but it is not effective overall,” Pratt said.

Vo advises students to come in a couple of weeks before their exams so they can plan ahead and have ample time to review materials.

•Access UC Action Center programs here
•View the UC Action Center group tutoring sessions schedule here
•Learn how to schedule an individual tutoring session or schedule an online session here
•More information on all the Assessment and Learning Centers is available here