For students having trouble understanding information taught during classes, they may find answers to their questions at the Tutorial Academic Enhancement Center in Peltier Hall.

Denise Collins and Louise Robichaux are coordinators of the tutoring center.

“I deal with more of the writing and English, and Louise deals more with the math and sciences, though we do share similar day-to-day responsibilities,” Collins said. “She is my counter-part.”

Collins said that the center is a comfortable place where students can ask questions without worry.

“Students may not want to ask certain questions in a classroom of 30, 40 or even 100 students, but in here, they do not have to be scared to ask questions. Everyone working at the tutoring center follows the idea that there are no stupid questions.”

Collins said that in the small and comfortable environment, students have the ability to lay out their own lesson plan.

“They can say, ‘This is what I want to work on and this is how I want to do it.’ You don’t get the chance to do that in a class setting. The pace a student feels comfortable with is the pace we will go at.” Collins said. “It is our hope that students walk out of here knowing and understanding things they previously did not know.”

Tutoring sessions are treated like classes, Collins said. If a student misses three straight appointments, he or she is dropped from the program. One day sessions, two day 45 minute sessions, and walk-in tutoring is available. “Writing appointments are also available and are made on an as needed basis,” Collins said.

Collins said that they let the student set up a tutoring schedule that is best for him or her, and with this schedule a tutor is matched.

“We do the best we can, but sometimes schedules do not always match up perfectly,” Collins said.

Tutors at the center are fellow students on campus, and are selected from interviews in the summertime, Collins said. The office of scholarships gives information on entering students who were honors graduates from their high schools to the tutoring center, and from there these students are contacted. To become and remain a tutor, students must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA as an entering freshman and had to have placed out of the classes at Nicholls for which they are tutoring. Also, students must have an A or B for classes they tutor and must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college. Students also undergo extensive training programs throughout the year.

Collins said that the Tutorial Academic Enhancement Center is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association. There are three levels of certification, and Nicholls has earned all three.

“The CRLA is our main certifying entity, so we follow their training guidelines,” Collins said.

When it comes to costs, writing center appointments are free, Collins explained. Math and science, however, includes a $25 application fee for all non-developmental courses. This includes 101 classes and above. A tutoring fee for students in classes below was included in tuition.

“This is a bargain compared to private tutoring costs,” Collins said.

Anna Catherine Lee, a freshman tutor, agrees that students should take advantage of the tutoring center, and she believes that working there presents her with future opportunities.

“I like working here because I get to help other people with stuff that they may not be good at, but I am. This helps me to gain teaching skills and experience even though I’m not going to school to become a teacher,” Lee said. “It gives me leadership skills and the patience for the future. So far, it has been a rewarding experience for me, and also it is a good way to make money.”

Jackie Hebert, freshman, who goes to the center said, “I just started college, and I needed help with math, so I came and took advantage of what they had to offer here.”

Hebert also agreed that tutoring will definitely help her down the road.

“When you do not know something, why not get help with it? If the opportunity is there, why not take it?”

For students interested in signing up for tutoring, the center is located in 149 Peltier Hall. The writing center is located across the hall in 144.