How to Enroll as a Peer Tutor
Here at Wesleyan, we have a team of more than 200 student tutors who mentor their peers in a variety of subjects. The Deans’ Peer Tutoring Program is continuously seeking new tutors who are passionate about a specific class or subject area and enjoy helping other students.
Wesleyan peer tutors are dependable, organized, and professional students, who are expected to be friendly, patient, and respectful to others, and maintain the confidentiality of tutees. Peer tutors are asked to participate in training, access available resources, and must be understanding and adaptable to different learning styles.
If you have a clear desire to assist other students, and are looking for a job where you can share your knowledge and connect with your peers, then you may be a great fit for the peer tutoring team. Considering joining the ranks of Wesleyan's peer tutors!
For more information, read the Frequently Asked Questions About Enrolling As A Peer Tutor.
Students must apply to be a tutor each semester, even if you have worked as a tutor previously. Every student who wishes to be a tutor must apply through Handshake AND complete the enrollment steps for the current semester.
Steps for Applying to be a Peer Tutor - Fall 2024
- Read through expectations below
- Prepare to complete payroll paperwork: if you have not completed payroll paperwork at Wesleyan before, upon being hired, you will need to complete payroll forms online and meet with Human Resources to verify your IDs in-person. For more information about the payroll on-boarding process, see the Campus Employment website > "Payroll Information for First-Time Student Employees."
- Earned an A- or better in the course you wish to tutor (or demonstrated equivalent)
- Receive a faculty recommendation for the course you wish to tutor (only required once per each course). This step can be skipped if the Deans' Peer Tutoring Program reaches out directly to you with an invite to work as a peer tutor.
- Apply to be a peer tutor through Handshake
- Click APPLY through on the Handshake job posting.
- Complete the Tutor Enrollment Form for the Fall 2024 semester found inside the job posting. Indicate each course for which you wish to be a tutor and the number of hours you are available per week. Applicants who do not complete this form will not be considered for the position.
- Additional enrollment information and requirements will be emailed to you from deans_peer_tutoring@wesleyan.edu
- Once hired, participate in Tutor Orientation/Training and access the Tutor Resources (you will be provided with information through Moodle)
Expectations For Peer Tutors
- Expectations for Tutoring
- Tutors will maintain the confidentiality of tutees
- Tutors are only paid for matches made by the Deans’ Peer Tutoring Program
- Tutoring is provided primarily in small groups, for students who have completed a request and been matched with a group
- If you would like to meet with a specific group, you may indicate this on your tutor enrollment form
- Do not make up an answer if you do not know it; when in doubt, model effective problem solving skills for the student
- See if you can help the student find the answer using the course materials
- Assist the student in formulating a question (in writing) to bring to the instructor
- Tutors do not do homework with students
- Tutors help students understand the concepts behind problems, and/or the process of solving problems, they do not solve problems directly
- Peer tutors may not assist students with work on take-home exams or problem sets
- Twice in the semester, you will be asked to fill out a check in form
- Be as thorough as possible
- Tutors are compensated for the time it takes to fill out this form
- If you are working with a student who is experiencing problems that you are unable to address, please contact the Deans’ Peer Tutoring Program
- Expectations for Tutoring Sessions
- During the first meeting:
- Ask the students what they want to get out of the meetings; make sure you agree on the goals for the tutoring sessions, and can meet their needs
- Confirm the general meeting schedule (days, times, location/platform)
- Clarify the best contact information for all of you
- During each meeting:
- Be on time for every session; if you must cancel a session, give as much advance notice as possible (preferably 24 hours)
- Set clear goals at the beginning of each session
- At the end of each session, review what you have covered, address the tutees' next steps and specify study goals, and confirm the next meeting
- After each meeting:
- Submit the hours you have worked with your group in Workforce Time
- Tutors and tutees must maintain academic integrity
- Tutors are not to solve homework problems directly; they should focus on course concepts and problem solving methods
- Peer tutors may not assist with problems on take-home exams or problem sets
- Discuss with the student if they have asked their instructor how to indicate that they worked with a tutor
- Improper assistance is a violation of the Honor Code; for more information on the Honor Code, refer to the Student Handbook or speak with your class dean
- During the first meeting:
Additional Information For Tutors
- If a tutee seems to be experiencing problems which you feel are not covered by the kind of course content instruction you can provide, please contact the Deans’ Peer Tutoring Program
- If you or a tutee feel the arrangement is not working, either of you can contact the Deans’ Peer Tutoring Program for reassignment at any time
- Check the Deans’ Peer Tutoring Program Moodle page often
- Information is provided on tutoring, Workforce Time, and the Deans’ Peer Tutoring Program
- Resources are available for you as a tutor
- Additional training materials are available to assist you with virtual tutoring sessions