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Resources for students

• How to get a tutor

  • for math

  • for other courses

• Professional tutors' schedules

• 60 ways to improve your GPA

• Best of Blabby

• Study skills and content area links

• iStudy for Success
   

Resources for faculty & staff

• Your student needs a tutor

  • for math

  • for other courses

• Referral form

• Your student wants to be a tutor

• Form for requesting a proctored exam

• You'd like to use our conference room

• Supplemental Instruction (SI)

• Links for faculty

Interested in being a tutor next year? Information is here.

The Learning Resources Center provides FREE peer and professional tutoring and other academic assistance for students at Penn State Altoona. If you are having trouble in a course, we can help. Even if you are not in danger of failing, you may want some FREE help just to brush up on the basics or to review important material. Our goal is to help you become an independent learner.

Special note: We frequently update information. Don't forget to click "reload" to see the most current version.

Important: Don't wait too long to ask for help if you think you might need a tutor. Most tutors do reach a limit, so make sure you get set up before we run out of help. Make sure you check the course list (http://www.psu.edu/dept/altoonalrc/crslist.html) to see if we have tutoring for your course. And what if we don't? Use your textbook and resources that come with it--study guides, websites, and so forth. See your professor during office hours. Hint: Make a list of questions, so you'll get the most out of your visit. It's always better to ask your professor to explain a list of specific concepts than to say, "I'm lost. I don't understand anything." If you are truly lost and really don't understand anything, see your advisor and discuss your options with him or her.
 

News: We now have GRE prep materials! If you would like to use them, ask at the reception desk. They must be used in the LRC. Thanks for the suggestion, Mike!

Ask Blabby!

Have a question about academics? Study strategies? Time management? LRC logistics? Ask Blabby! For the best of Blabby, see http://www.psu.edu/dept/altoonalrc/bestblab.htm

Dear Blabby, My grades last semester were not as good as I had hoped they’d be. How can I get off to a good start this semester? I. Care

Dear Mr. or Ms. Care, This is a great question with which to start the semester. Here are some tips: 

• Buy your textbooks right away. On a practical level, this will avoid problems if the bookstore runs out. Also, you should skim through the entire book for each class during the first week so you will have an idea of the big picture for the courses. Speaking of textbooks, make sure you read them. Don’t get behind early in the semester.

• Even if your registration is not complete, attend class from day one. And keep attending class all semester.

• Take good notes in class. Be systematic about taking notes, and review your notes as soon as possible after class.

• Buy a calendar, and use it. Write the dates of all your exams and project due dates on your calendar. Schedule study times as appointments with yourself.

• Do all your homework, even homework that isn’t turned in for grades.

• See a tutor early in the semester if you are having trouble or would like to review. Don’t wait too long to get started.

• Use the links for students in the study skills section of this website.

• Enjoy your semester. Best wishes, Blabby