Tutor to the Top
The engineering major requires more time for studying and projects than most other majors offered here at CBU. Not to say it’s too difficult to handle, but there are a few tricks I’ve learned since arriving on campus almost three years ago. Some students simply study harder. Others email professors and meet during office hours. Some drink an unhealthy number of Red Bulls. My one suggestion, however, is both social, educational, and way more fun: tutoring.
For just about every difficult engineering course, the professor will hire an upperclassmen tutor to host group sessions once a week in the engineering building. Some lectures and homework assignments just seem downright impossible, which make these nights that much more necessary. There is definitely a culture built around attending tutoring nights with common phrases such as “let’s get dinner before Circuits tutoring” and “the tutor explained it to me so much better than the professor” passed around the halls. I took it upon myself sophomore year to pamper our Circuits II tutor with as much praise and affection as possible to make sure he would do his best. Some friends and I even bought him a pie at the end of the semester as a thank you. With as much love and respect these tutors receive, it’s no wonder I said yes when offered the position this semester.
My first night as the Data Structures tutor was last Monday, and I wanted to start things right. I came early to the classroom, reviewed my notes, and assumed role of smartest guy in the room. I remember taking that class last year and completely blanking out on the homework, but this time was the opposite. I answered their questions, joked around, and tried my hardest to ensure a sweet pie at the end of the semester. I enjoy helping people and giving presentations, too, so either way the night was a blast.
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