The UHS Library has been a haven for many students throughout the school year, serving as a tranquil area in the morning where students can quietly hang out or study independently, a bustling location during school hours for students to check out books or host last-minute study sessions and a place after the academic day where a peer tutoring system lies.
Many students have yet to familiarize themselves with the free peer tutoring system here at UHS, and we hope that after viewing our breakdown below of this unique opportunity, you will consider going to the library after school and trying it out for yourself.
Peer tutoring occurs in the library from Mondays through Thursdays, and sessions occur anytime from 2:15-4:15 p.m. However, the process is not entirely formal and drop-ins are accepted, with sessions not needing to span the full two hours.
One of UHS’ librarians, Dominic Fratantaro, and tutors from the Academic Success Coalition Club oversee the system. To receive tutoring, one can visit the library any day during peer tutoring hours and ask Mr. Fratantaro to help get a tutor.
Sophomore and tutee Aaryan Katiyar has recently attended multiple peer tutoring sessions, specifically math, to assist himself in making up class material after being unable to come to school for two weeks.
“[Peer tutoring] is a great way to learn and cover things that I have missed in the curriculum,” Katiyar said.
For those interested in giving back to the UHS community or honing their academic knowledge by becoming a tutor, you must first fill out an application (located on the Peer Tutoring website), sign the contract and bring it to Mr. Fratantaro in the library.
“Students that are willing [to tutor] probably already know the material very well and also learned it in the format of how the teacher taught it,” junior Michael Li said.
Although online tutoring services are available for student use, in-person tutoring opportunities can be more conducive to learning due to their in-person learning format which fosters a more personalized experience for the tutee.
Given that teachers at UHS each have hundreds of students to instruct, it isn’t always appropriate to ask questions that have already been answered in previous classes. This is why peer tutoring sessions are impactful; many tutors have the same teacher as you or have already taken a specific class and can help you better understand the material from its foundation.
Lastly, another advantage of peer tutoring is the pricing. That is — there isn’t any! Many online and in-person tutoring services charge vast sums of money for their hour-long lessons, while peer tutoring at UHS is free. Many students can also feel more comfortable learning from a student of their age instead of an unknown provider online.
In conclusion, peer tutoring is a great way for students to receive academic support in a welcoming and inclusive environment, thanks to the dedication of Mr. Fratantaro and the Academic Success Coalition Club. We encourage all students to take advantage of this invaluable resource and together, we can bolster a culture of academic excellence and support at UHS, beginning with peer tutoring.
