Our Mission

The Academic Resource Center facilitates student learning beyond the classroom by offering one-on-one and group sessions in many course subjects, as well as in time management, study skills, writing, and public speaking. Through the Academic Resource Center, students develop the skills they need to become effective independent learners able to thrive at Tufts and beyond.

The ARC staff and our carefully selected and trained peer tutors and graduate consultants collaborate with students to capitalize on the skills and knowledge they bring to our sessions as well as address their needs and challenges. We strive to provide individualized, professional, and accessible services.

Our tutors are trained to facilitate learning by:

• being respectful, professional, and competent
• focusing on the student’s overall learning
• tailoring sessions to each student’s capabilities
• contextualizing tasks and skills and clarifying their relevance to future academic tasks
• listening actively, empathetically, and analytically
• acknowledging and addressing different learning styles and individual differences
• modeling skills and the use of resources
• emphasizing process versus product
• providing non-directive, student-centered sessions
• referring students to additional resources as appropriate

Students are expected to:

• respect the tutor’s professional role
• understand that a tutor facilitates learning
• understand that the tutor is meant to supplement, but not to replace, other resources such as the professor, the Teaching Assistant, and the course material
• prepare for sessions by bringing appropriate materials (textbook, course syllabus, notes, writing implements)
• bring specific questions and concerns to the session
• actively participate in the learning process
• take responsibility for their own learning