ABINGTON, Pa. — The Learning Center (TLC) is a warm, welcoming space on the third floor of Penn State Abington's historic Sutherland Building. The staff is friendly and there are bowls filled with candy within arm's reach, but the center's purpose is dead serious: academic success for Abington students.
TLC offers free — yes, zero cost — tutoring for any Penn State Abington student seeking academic support. A mix of professional and peer tutors provide one-on-one sessions in math, science, writing, Spanish, and English as a Second Language (ESL). Online support, through a partnership with NetTutor, offers a broader menu of topics.
Janel Dia, manager of TLC, encourages students to make an appointment or drop in at the first indication they are having difficulty.
“We believe the students should come in as soon as they feel they are struggling in a course. They can get the help they need before falling behind,” she said.
Math and science tutors provide assistance with most undergraduate math courses, biology and chemistry, whether it’s homework, understanding new concepts or preparing for tests.
English and writing tutors are ready to help at any phase in the writing process. Writing tutors offer support for all courses and they assist with grammar and punctuation, voice, organization, formatting and style. Writing consultations are available for students to brainstorm a topic, develop ideas or review a first draft. Tutors also teach students the critical skills of proofreading and editing their own work.