By Bryce Spadafora
Contributing Writer
Midterm grades have been posted, but they aren’t final.
Students who are unhappy with their grades still have a chance to improve.
One option available for students is the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). Located in the basement of Doyle Hall, the TLC is a campus resource invested in the academic of success of students.
The TLC offers several services to students who request them. One service offered is tutoring. Students can apply for a peer tutor to meet with either one-on-one or with a small group of students. Peer tutors encourage students to maintain academic accountability and independent learning, according the university’s website. The Writing Lab is another service available to those who need it. Students at any stage of writing a paper for any course can meet with one of two assistants to request advice on a paper.
The TLC’s Academic Restoration Program (ARP) and Academic Intervention Program (AIP) are also available for student use. The ARP is designed for second-semester students who are in danger of being unable to stay at Bonaventure due to low academic standing. ARP students meet twice to discuss studying strategies as well as behavior analysis. ARP students also meet weekly one-on-one with a staff member to design a plan for achieving success.
The AIP is focused on upper-level students who, like ARP students, could potentially be dismissed from Bonaventure for academic reasons. ARP students meet weekly one-on-one with an academic counselor and are required to maintain perfect attendance.
Joyce Tristan, a freshman accounting major, used the TLC earlier this year and said she would use it again.
“I used them for help with a resume when I applied to be an orientation leader,” Tristan said. “Then I used the resume for a job interview at a bank, and I got the job.”
Hannah Pingelski, a freshman business major, said she was unhappy with her midterm grades, and was considering using the TLC after hearing other students’ positive experiences with the program.
“This semester I could have done better. I need to work harder to get better grades,” Pingelski said. “I think I should look into a tutor because they can be helpful, especially in classes I’m confused in. That could be really beneficial to me.”
Madeliene Feddern, a freshman elementary education major, said, “I wasn’t too upset with how I did, but there’s always room for improvement. My advice for people who are unhappy with their grades is to talk to their professor and seek preparation opportunities.”
Graduate assistant Madeliene Gionet has worked with the Teaching and Learning Center for two years and said she has seen students’ work improve.
“I’ve worked with students on academic probation who are required to meet with me,” Gionet said. “And I’ve seen them jump immensely in their GPAs. [The TLC] is not only showing them support, but giving students the tools and teaching them the tactics to be successful.”
spadafb14@bonaventure.edu
