Disability Support Services helps students improve grades by recruiting student tutors

Making the transition to college courses can be intimidating and overwhelming, but there is never a shortage of helpful hands on campus including Disability Support Services.

DDS tutoring services are available to students and the Wichita Falls community.

Tutors such as Gerald Sampson, a supplement instructor for anatomy, physiology and college algebra, said he also held sessions with high school students.

Sampson said tutors take it upon themselves to help students while balancing their own schedules.

“I have seen marked improvement in the students who are serious and are willing to practice good studying habits and techniques on a consistent basis,” Sampson said.

Spanish tutor Ave Altius has previous tutoring experience and tutoring has become a form of income for him.

“I like sharing what I know and helping other students understand their work, Altius said. “Spanish is something that I like and I want to help others like it too.”

Linh Vo, senior in chemistry and pre-med, said he tutors to give back to the campus community.

Vo said for science subjects, students are discouraged and have a hard time focusing because they are frustrated by the material.

“I needed a tutor while I was going through the pre-med degree plan and am happy to be such a tutor for someone else,” Vo said.

Helping others also gives student tutors insight on the common study problems many students have such as establishing studying techniques, organization and comprehension, Sampson said.

“Student tutors are better able to relate to their peers what they have learned in a style suited to reach students wanting help,” Sampson said. “Both parties benefit. Prospective students are attracted to schools where help is offered to ensure academic success.”

Keba Frederick, senior in finance and MIS, said he found a tremendous improvement while tutoring English.

“Definitely, in the case of my students, the main improvement was the use of synonyms to replace common, simple words,” Frederick said

Tutors like Altius conduct tutoring sessions on the second floor of the Moffett Library.

“Some students genuinely need help, and the university realizes that. Good grades will reflect well on the university, so it’s in the school’s best interest to hire tutors as well,” Altius said.

According to Altius, he has seen the effect his tutoring sessions have had on the students he sees.

“[Students] tell me that their grades and understanding have improved,” Altius said. “I also see improvements from session to session.”

The DSS warns tutors and students to be mindful when meeting, especially for the first time.

Debra Higginbotham, director of Disability Support Service, said tutors must have completed at least 30 hours here at MSU.

“We ask most of the time for persons to have more experience with classes here,” said Higginbotham.

Students interested in volunteering in this tutoring program can fill out applications at the DSS office in the Clark Student Center.