Academic Development
Cyert Hall B5, 412-268-6878
http://cmu.edu/acadev ~ acad-dev@andrew.cmu.edu
Linda Hooper, Director
The mission of Academic Development is to assist students in developing the skills, strategies, and behaviors needed to perform as confident, independent, and active learners. We offer a wide variety of free services including academic counseling in study skills and peer tutoring as well as supplemental instruction and study groups for select courses. Our services are designed to help both students who are having academic difficulties and those who just want to improve their performance.
Academic Counseling
Academic Counseling is an assistance program that helps students acquire more effective and efficient study skills. Student academic counselors (AC's) conduct both group workshops and individual sessions that focus on the following topics: time management, procrastination, stress management, test-taking strategies, final exam prep, textbook reading, lecture note-taking, and memory.
Peer Tutoring
Peer tutoring is offered as both a walk-in and standing appointment service. Peer tutors are usually undergraduates who assist fellow students primarily with large introductory level courses. Peer tutors have been trained and have taken classes identical or similar to the ones they tutor.
Walk-In Tutoring
When: Sunday - Thursday, 8:30-11:00pm; Monday and Wednesday afternoons
Where: Mudge Library, Donner Reading Room, West Wing Tech Lounge, and Academic Development's classrooms in Cyert Hall.
Subjects Tutored: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Calculus, Calculus in 3D, Concepts of Math, Multivariate A & A, Physics, Writing, Economics, Computer Science, Chem E, ECE, Japanese, Chinese, and Computing@Carnegie Mellon.
Standing Tutoring Appointments
Students who require more individualized assistance, or students who need help with a course that is not supported by our other services, can request a weekly standing tutoring appointment. Appointments are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Just stop by the Academic Development Office and fill out a tutoring request form.
EXCEL Groups
Academic Development offers EXCEL collaborative learning groups for various courses. EXCEL groups meet once weekly throughout the semester. They are comprised of a maximum of six students per group and a trained EXCEL group leader who facilitates collaborative learning. EXCEL groups are formed on an as-needed-basis for the course which they support. There are often multiple groups for any given course.
Supplemental Instruction (SI)
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is offered for traditionally difficult courses. SI discussion and review sessions are facilitated by student SI leaders who have already completed the course and earned an A. Designed to supplement, not replace class lectures and recitations, SI sessions are interactive and collaborative. Students who attend sessions learn to integrate how-to-learn with what-to-learn. SI sessions are usually held twice weekly for one hour. Attendance is completely voluntary.
Please view the Academic Development website for schedules of all available services.
Fast Facts
This series of study skills pamphlets is available on our website or by visiting the Academic Development office. They deal with such topics as: Combating Procrastination, Fighting Test Anxiety, and Preparing Your Study Space.
Freshmen Fast Facts
Freshman Fast Facts provide advice from Carnegie Mellon students and faculty about many of the new challenges that first year undergraduates face during the first few weeks of college. The topics include:
- A Strong Start
- A Lot To Do
- Absorbing It All
- More to Consider
- Getting Help If You Need It