Ask for help

Working with a Tutor

Use this page when you are thinking about getting help from a tutor, or you are getting ready for your first session.

About 8 minutes. Includes practice with answers.

What a tutor does

A tutor is a person who helps you with your coursework outside of class. A tutor can explain an idea again, work through a problem with you, look at your writing with you, and help you plan how to study.

A tutor helps you do your own work. A tutor does not do the work for you, and does not give you a grade.

What to know before you go

Nobody always says these things out loud. In U.S. colleges, they are true for every student.

Going to a tutor is normal. It does not mean you are failing. Many students with high grades use tutoring often.
Instructors see it as a good sign. It shows that you take responsibility for your learning.
You do not need a big problem. One question is enough.
Earlier is better. A tutor can help you more a week before the due date than an hour before it.

At OCTC

Tutoring in the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) is free for OCTC students. The TLC asks students to make an appointment for help with writing. For this term’s hours and the TLC’s phone number and email, see This semester.

Key terms

Tutor:: a person who helps you with coursework outside of class.
Peer tutor:: a student who is trained to tutor other students.
Session:: one meeting with a tutor.
Appointment:: a time that you reserve before you come.
Walk-in:: help that you can get without an appointment.

When to go

Go to a tutor when one of these is true:

You do not understand part of a lecture or a reading.
You are falling behind in a class.
Your test grades are lower than you want.
You want help preparing for a test.
You are stuck on a homework assignment.
You do not know how to start a paper or make an outline.
You are not sure how to do research or use sources.
You need help using a computer or a program for class.
You want help organizing your time and your materials.

Example: starting a session

The first minute of a session matters. If you say clearly what you need, the tutor can start helping immediately. Here is what one student says. Each number matches a note below.

What a student says, with notes

Hi, my name is Ana. I have an appointment at 10:00 for help with writing.1

I am in English 101 with Professor Lee.2

I am writing an essay that argues for a change at my workplace. Here is the prompt, and here is my draft.3

My instructor said that my reasons are too general. Could we look at my second paragraph?4

At the end of the session

So my next step is to add an example to each reason. Is that right?5

Who you are and why you came. Ana gives her name, her appointment time, and the kind of help she wants.
Your class and your instructor. The tutor needs these to understand the assignment. Tutors also write them on a form for the tutoring center.
The assignment itself. Ana brings the prompt and her draft. The tutor can read exactly what the instructor asked for.
One specific request. Ana does not say “Is this good?” She names one problem and one place to look. Could we makes the request polite.
A check before leaving. Ana says her next step in her own words and asks whether it is correct. Now she knows what to do after the session.

Language focus: asking for exactly what you need

Language focus

From general to specific

A specific question gets a more useful answer. Say what you already understand, and then say where you get lost.

Making a request more useful
Too general	More useful
I don’t understand anything.	I understand the first step, but I get lost at the second one.
Is my paper good?	Does my first paragraph answer the prompt?
Can you fix my grammar?	Could you show me one kind of error that I make often?

Polite requests

These three forms are polite and common. The first two are followed by the simple form of the verb. After Would you mind, the verb ends in -ing.

Could you explain that another way?
Could we look at my second paragraph?
Would you mind explaining that again?

Watch for this

A tutor may ask, “Do you mind if I write on your draft?” If it is fine with you, the answer is “No, I don’t mind” or “No, go ahead.” Here, no means “it is not a problem.”

Sentence starters

Fill in each blank with your own words.

To make an appointmentI would like to make an appointment for help with .I am free on . Is there a time then?
To begin a sessionI am working on for , and I am stuck on .
When you do not understandCould you explain that another way?Could you show me an example?Could you say that more slowly, please?
To check your understandingSo I should . Is that right?
To end a sessionThank you. This helped me with .May I come back after I revise?

Practice

Which two are good reasons to see a tutor?
- A. I got a low grade on my first test.
- B. I want someone to write my conclusion.
- C. I do not know how to start my outline.
Make this request more useful: “I don’t understand anything about this assignment.”
A tutor asks: “Do you mind if I write on your draft?” It is fine with you. What do you say?
Your paper is due in eight days. When is the best time to see a tutor: this week, or the night before the paper is due?
Name three things to bring to a session about a writing assignment.

Show suggested answers

A and C. A tutor can help you prepare for the next test and plan your outline. B asks the tutor to do your work, and a tutor will not do that.
One possible answer: “I understand the topic, but I am not sure what ‘analyze’ means in the prompt.” Say what you understand, and then name the part that is unclear. Other answers are possible.
“No, I don’t mind.” or “No, go ahead.” After Do you mind, the word no means that it is not a problem.
This week. You will have time to use what you learn. You may also need an appointment, and times fill up.
The prompt, your draft, and your class notes. Your syllabus, your textbook, and any handouts also help. Know your instructor’s name and the name of your class.

Next step

Get ready for your first session

Check the hours for this term on This semester.
Make an appointment if you need one.
Gather your prompt, your draft or notes, your syllabus, and your textbook.
Write down one specific question to begin with.