Peer-to-Peer Tutoring
Students have many academic resources to support their in-class learning which include Faculty & TA Office Hours, review sessions, and Help Rooms.
Students who are interested in personalized and structured support can request a small group peer tutor. These tutors will meet with you for one hour to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while reviewing material for a course.
Students may request an individual peer tutor after the second week of the semester by emailing peertopeer@vbj4.com. They should list the specific class and a quick explanation as to why they are seeking tutoring. Upon review of the request, students will be given access to the tutoring portal on Slate, which they can use to book peer tutors in specific classes at set times.
Mission and Philosophy of Tutoring
The mission of the Peer Learning Program is to provide students with the support they need to succeed in numerous academic disciplines throughout their college experience. The philosophy of our program is to ensure that students are receiving direct academic tutoring and coaching in an inclusive and equitable environment. The goal of the program is to encourage our students to become independent and responsible learners. Through academic counseling and tutoring, it is our hope that students will develop and enhance strategic study skills and work closely with faculty to become more confident students.
All students who are matched with a peer tutor are expected to share the responsibility of the tutoring process and make a commitment to independent learning.
During the Tutoring Session
The goal of individual/small group tutoring is to promote the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. To that end, homework assignments should be done in advance of the tutoring session so that your time may be spent addressing what you do not understand. While peer tutors will not provide the answers to homework problems, they will provide examples that will help you understand the process of finding a solution. At the end of your tutoring session, you and your peer tutor will review what you have covered, clarify any remaining questions, and arrange/confirm the time of your next tutoring session.
Request a Tutor
The Peer Learning Program is free to all Barnard students. Students may receive a maximum of one hour of tutoring per week, per course.
To be matched with a peer tutor, please send an email to peertopeer@vbj4.com with your request, which should note why you are requesting tutoring and the specific class in which you are requesting a peer. Please note that peer tutors are mainly for courses taught at Barnard.
If you have any questions, contact us at peertopeer@vbj4.com.
Apply to Become a Tutor
The Barnard Deans Office for Advising and Support continually seeks current Barnard students to serve as tutors in our Peer Learning Program. Peer Tutor wages start at $17/hour. They are expected to make four hours per week available to meet in small groups of no more than three students.
Subjects where tutors are most in demand include: Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Foreign Languages, and Physics. Other subjects may also be needed depending on student requests, so you are encouraged to apply even if the subject you want to tutor does not appear on this list.
Qualifications:
- A grade of B+ or above in the Barnard course(s) (or equivalent) for which you wish to tutor
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
- Empathy, patience, clarity, and kindness
- Commitment to academic integrity
- Good academic and disciplinary standing in the College
- Senior, Junior, Sophomore, or second-semester First-Year status. Transfer students are also invited to apply once they have completed at least one term at Barnard College.
- Experience as a peer tutor preferred but not required
Email peertopeer@vbj4.com if you have any questions.