The Learning Commons at Marian University's Ancilla College

The peer tutors at the Writing Center are carefully selected and fully trained students that are committed to helping you pave a clear path to more effective writing. Their job is not to “proofread” papers, but rather eliminate obstacles that get in the way of clear writing. By working together, we can make sure that you are able to better formulate communication that best suits your needs.

Book Your Appointment with a Peer Tutor

The Lab Instructors at Marian University's Ancilla College are Master's Level professionals with experience in the technical elements of academic writing. Most students are required or choose to take a 1 credit hour writing lab along with their writing course. For this, the student will meet with a Lab Instructor once a week for the duration of the semester. The Lab Instructor’s goal is to help guide you past personal hurdles in writing in order to ensure a more comprehensive instruction.

Sometimes you just need a quick answer. The Learning Commons has a variety of writing resources at your fingertips. There are paper resources and codes posted to link you to whatever help you may need to help you with your writing. All of the staff within the Learning Commons Walls are also trained to help point you in the right direction of any assistance you may need.

One of the major components of academic writing is research. The Learning Commons at MUAC has a team dedicated to helping you with that. The Research Center in the Learning Commons is staffed with Master's Level trained people who are experienced in digging through the vast array of materials out there that will help you support your writing in the best way possible.

Walk-In Tutoring takes place in the Learning Commons.

When you attend sessions during walk-in tutoring, please make sure you bring all class materials with you. This would include textbooks, assignment descriptions, syllabus, paper, and writing utensils. Bring your calculator if needed for the course.

Walk-in hours for Peer Tutoring begin the second week of the semester. The Learning Commons follows the university calendar and is closed during all-campus masses and university holidays.

• Bring all of your materials to the tutoring session (e.g., syllabus, textbook, lecture notes, assignments, problems, lab books, paper drafts, past tests, etc.). This will help the tutor know exactly what you are doing in class and help set reasonable goals for the session.
• Do the assigned reading and homework before the session. When you prepare for the tutoring session, write down specific questions you have or concepts you want to discuss with your tutor.
• Ask the tutor to explain not only specific or difficult concepts, but also share study and learning strategies. Your tutor has successfully completed the course and has been recommended by a Ancilla College of Marian University faculty member. They know what it takes to be successful in the course!
• Do not be afraid to stop the tutor if they are going too fast or telling you too much information at once. Remember, the tutor is there to help you. Never hesitate to ask for clarification. It's ok to say, “I still don’t get it, let’s do it again.”
• Review the material on your own soon after the session. While tutoring can be a valuable academic resource, it still requires you to attend class and study the material on your own.
• Talk with other students and consider participating in a study group.
• Tutors are available to help you, but do not expect the tutor to do your work for you. Tutors will not help with take-home exams. Likewise, tutors will not do your homework for you.

Unless there is an emergency, the student is required to contact the tutor at least Six (6) hours prior to your tutoring session. Failure to do so could result in the loss of tutoring privileges. The consequences are outlined below. 

• After the 1st No Show, the student may receive a written notice and reminder of the attendance policy.
• After the 2nd No Show/repeated cancelations, the student could face temporary suspension from services and a meeting with the CASE coordinator in order for services to be reinstated.
• If services have been reinstated for student and the student misses a third (3rd) session, future tutoring sessions are revoked. Student must meet with the CASE coordinator before services can be used for future semester.