Mathematics

Tutoring

The Department of Mathematics offers in-person tutoring support for multiple undergraduate courses.

Listed are the courses in which walk-in assistance is offered:

  • Developmental math courses: Math 1090, 1100, 1110
  • Pre-calculus and calculus courses: Math 1178, 1179, 1180, 1220, 1230, 2000, 2300, 2720, 3740

This tutor lab offers one-on-one and group tutoring to give you hands-on help with all forms of homework. The tutors will not do your homework for you. Instead, they will ask you how you approached the problem and where you started having difficulty. This way, they are following your thought process rather than forcing their method on you.

Tips for a successful tutoring session

Before your session

  • Bring your textbooks, notes, assignment guidelines or syllabus, study guides, past exams, and other study tools you might use (flashcards, etc.) to your session.
  • Have specific questions for your tutor. Think about topics on which you want to focus: concepts, vocabulary, prioritizing information, study skills, or something else.
  • Start your homework. It will become clear to you where you need to focus once you have gotten started on your assignment.
  • Set realistic goals for yourself. You are not going to learn the whole course in an hour! Discuss your goals with your tutor at the start of your session.

During your tutoring session

  • Actively participate. You will be doing most of the talking.
  • Ask questions. Please don’t feel embarrassed if you need things repeated or your tutor to slow down.
  • Have realistic expectations of your tutors. They are professional, knowledgeable, patient, and recommended by WMU faculty members. It is not their job to give away answers to your assignments, do homework for you, or proofread your papers.

General advice

  • Attend all classes.
  • Go to your instructors’ office hours. They are there to help, and nobody is more qualified to tell you what you need to do to excel in their class.
  • Consider forming study groups (three to four people, no more than that) to review homework and study for exams.
  • Review what you covered in your tutoring session soon after the session has ended. This will reinforce what you learned, and is a step towards improving study habits as well.
  • Don’t wait until the last minute. Seek help well in advance of exams, homework, or projects.

LOCATION AND HOURS

The lab typically opens the second week of classes. Contact your instructor for the exact day the tutor lab will begin for the semester. The lab is not open the week of final exams.

The department tutor lab is housed in the BroncoStudy Zone (BSZ), but is not affiliated with the BSZ. The BSZ is located at 3374 Rood Hall. The department tutor lab is the first door on the left.

Fall and spring hours
Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Summer I hours
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Summer II hours
Tuesday, 12 to 3 p.m. 
Wednesday, 12 to 4 p.m.
Thursday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Virtual Summer hours when Math courses are offered
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Directions for summer virtual tutoring

1. Open Microsoft Teams
2. Select "Teams" in the left column
3. Select "WMU Academic Support Hub." You may need to "Join" by first clicking "Join or Create Teams" in the upper-right corner of your screen.
4. Select the "Ask for Help Now" channel
5. Select "Start a Post" to ask for help with your class

Tutor Lab Questions? Contact Steve Culver.