The Math, Reading and Writing Labs, the Science Learning Center, the Academic Advising Office and the Libraries are designed for all students who want to improve their competence in science and mathematics, their reading and study skills, their information searching and evaluation skills, the quality of their writing and/or their study skills and time management. College is academically challenging and the services are free, so why not take advantage!
Academic Advising
Academic Advising provides individual instruction and coaching on academic and life skills, including time management, organization and planning (e.g., understanding course expectations, overcoming procrastination); academic preparedness (e.g., note-taking, test preparation, study skills, class participation); and academic planning (e.g., choosing a major; determining academic plan or credits to graduation; interpreting academic policies; interacting effectively with faculty advisers). Located within Student Affairs, staff members offer direct support to students experiencing academic difficulty or who need help understanding Grinnell's academic policies and procedures. The staff also coordinates peer tutoring for subjects within the humanities and social studies divisions, and academic accommodations for students with disabilities.
Libraries
The Libraries help students learn how to find information for class assignments, research papers, and other projects, to critically evaluate the information for quality and relevance, and to incorporate it into their work responsibly and ethically. Students may contact a librarian in person, by telephone (x3353), by email (query), or through instant messaging.
Library Labs are research appointments pairing a librarian with a student or small group of students who are conducting in-depth research on a specific topic. Forms for arranging Library Labs are available online, as well as at the reference desks of Burling Library and Kistle Science Library.
Math Lab
Math Lab provides individual instruction in calculus, introductory statistics and computer science. The Math Lab provides assistance on a drop-in basis for math and stats, and the Director assigns individual tutors for all levels of math and computer science classes. Individual appointments may also be scheduled with the Director. Computers are available for accessing statistical and graphing packages.
Math Lab 100 is a one-credit course recommended for students who want to review high school math skills before taking a college class or while concurrently enrolled in an introductory course at the 131 level or below.
Reading Lab
The Reading Lab provides individual and small-group instruction in reading and study skills, emphasizing reading efficiency, vocabulary building, and methods of effective study (concentration, time management, test preparation, etc.). Students may work at the Lab, or meet by appointment with the Director, without registering for the course.
Reading Lab 100, a one-credit course, is especially recommended for students who have difficulty keeping up with reading assignments or understanding and remembering what they read. It is also helpful for international students who want to improve English language proficiency and pronunciation. Students must attend 22 class sessions and compile a 60-word vocabulary file.
Science Learning Center
The Science Learning Center provides individual instruction in introductory science courses. Students may sign up for a one-credit science lab course with permission of the director to review prerequisite skills before taking a college class or concurrently with an introductory course. The Science Learning Center also provides peer tutoring for biology, chemistry, and physics. Computers are available for accessing statistical and graphing packages. Students who cannot take the course or who need only occasional assistance may schedule individual appointments with the Director.
Science Lab 100, a one-credit course, involves individual and small-group instruction emphasizing problem-solving skills. This one-credit class must be taken in conjunction with first-year sequences in physics, chemistry, or biology. Consultation with the related course instructor and permission of the Director of the Science Learning Center are required.
Writing Lab
The Writing Lab offers one-on-one instruction in composition, including organization, coherence, grammar, and style. Students may enroll in the one-credit course or sign up for appointments as needed. Students may work with the instructor on any part of the writing process, such as brainstorming, organizing, revising, or copyediting.
The Writing Lab offers two one-credit courses: College Writing 101, which teaches the fundamentals of writing at the college level in five group workshops (covering topics like writing clear and effective thesis statements, essay organization, using evidence, and writing with style) and six individual appointments; and College Writing 102, which has the same workshop combined with individualized instruction format but which teaches skills in the context of five distinct genres (the book review, the op-ed, the grant proposal, to name a few).
