Peer assistance is an integral part of studying at Swarthmore. Academic support can be accessed through academic departments (peer mentors, clinics, and review sessions), the Writing Associates Program, the libraries, the Student Academic Mentors and the student deans. No additional fees are required for any of these services.
Tutors are arranged through the Office of the Academic Success or, in some cases, are arranged through the individual academic department.
Seven departments, mostly in the Natural Sciences, offer peer-led sessions designed to facilitate collaborative interactions around homework and course content. These sessions provide an opportunity for any student enrolled in introductory (and some intermediate-level) courses to get help with homework and to work actively with peers.
The help sessions are staffed by students (“peer assistants”) who are comfortable with the course material and trained in STEM pedagogy. Sessions for a given course are typically offered on several evenings each week. Detailed information about these sessions is disseminated via the introductory courses themselves.
The peer assistants associated with a given course often play a supportive role during the course lecture periods as well, helping to facilitate in-class discussion.
For further information about NSE peer assistants generally, or about the pedagogy training offered to new NSE peer assistants, please contact the Coordinator of NSE Educational Support Initiatives, Prof. Ben Geller (bgeller1@swarthmore.edu)
Not sure who to ask your academic question? Ask a SAM.
Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) are sophomores, juniors, and seniors specially selected and trained to work with students on the development of skills necessary for academic success at Swarthmore such as time management, organization, study strategies, and reading techniques.
Academic Workshops
In collaboration with students, faculty and staff, we offer workshops on time management, study skills, class participation, and other topics. September workshops included:
Office of Academic Success Open House (in a tent!)
Thursday, September 2 at 4 pm, Parrish Outdoor Tent
Want to say hello? Have a question about academic requirements, fellowships and prizes, pre-med or another topic? Please stop by!
Time Management Workshop
Thursday, September 9 at 4:15 pm, Trotter Outdoor Tent
Hosted by the Office of Academic Success, including the Student Academic Mentors (SAMs)
Participating Effectively in Class Workshop
Tuesday, September 14 at 4:15 pm, Trotter Outdoor Tent
Not sure what to say in class? We can help!
Hosted by the Office of Academic Success, including the Student Academic Mentors (SAMs)
These events are a collaborative effort of the dean's staff, faculty, and the Student Academic Mentors (SAMs). If you have ideas for new programming, please let us know.
Academic Advice for Students
For advice on approaching your natural sciences and engineering and math, please visit the NSE (Natural Sciences and Engineering) Success Toolkit. The following advice sheets were developed collaboratively by Student Academic Mentors, professors and the Office of Academic Success staff:
