UC offering on-campus tutoring

A number of places on campus are offering tutoring for University of Cincinnati students stressing out over final examinations, which are scheduled for next week.

One of them is the Learning Assistance Center at 120 University Pavilion, which will assist students until Friday.

Tutoring is provided free to all registered undergraduates starting from the beginning of the quarter, however, no assistance is provided during exam week, said Sarah Headley, a Learning Assistance Center staff member.

Once an application is accepted at the Learning Assistance Center, students may pick from a pool of tutors in many subjects. All tutors have received a grade of B or higher in the course they are tutoring and have received a letter of recommendation from at least one professor.

Students may schedule sessions by visiting the center or its Web site and selecting a subject and time that fits the schedule of available tutors.

Sessions are limited to two hours per tutor each day and can last anywhere from a half hour to two hours.

"A lot of times students will find out after a couple sessions that they really like the style of one person and stay with them," Headley said. "It totally depends on the student. Some don't care who tutors them as long as it fits their schedule."

Another tutoring service is provided by the Writing Center at 257 McMicken Hall, which is operated by the Department of English. The center offers hourly appointments through exam week, helping students with various paper topics and writing styles throughout UC's various colleges.

"We get probably 70 percent freshmen, although we are trained to help students of all areas." said Bill Wimfel, director of the Arts and Sciences Writing Center. "Our overall goal is to help people write clearly. We are not a proofreading service."

By spring 2009 they hope to complete a project with other colleges around campus to include online sample papers to cater to a more diverse crowd. Although walk-ins are accepted, appointments by phone are preferred and papers can be submitted through an online digital drop box to save time.

Other tutorial programs are offered at buildings throughout campus. They include: Old Chemistry, Crosley Tower, French Hall, the Administration Building, College of Applied Sciences and the College of Nursing.

A complete list of tutoring services can be obtained at the Learning Center help desk by calling 513-556-3244 from

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

For more information on the Writing Center, visit its Web site at www.artsci.uc.edu/English/writingcenter.

STRESS TIPS

Sara Goldsberry, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Cincinnati, offers a few pointers on how to deal with stress.

Many students turn excessive alcohol use, overeating or smoking instead of the many healthy ways to cope with stress, Goldsberry said.

"Stress all depends on your coping skills," Goldsberry said. "Challenge isn't necessarily stress; something only becomes stressful when the individual experiencing it isn't happy."

She said the greatest health risk for younger traditional students due to stress is depression, which also increases when a person overeats, uses alcohol or tobacco.

She also adds that the holidays are a particularly stressful time, due to shopping and social pressures.

Goldsberry described several techniques for stress management:

• Deep breathing Count to five after each inhale and exhale for five to 10 minutes.

• Mediation Get away from stressors, clear your mind and listen to music.

• Yoga Classes are available for credits and recreation purposes in the Recreation Center.

• Exercise Long-term exercise habits have proven to be a natural stress reliever.

• Hobbies Reframe a situation by giving yourself time to think while engaging in enjoyable pursuits.

• Progressive muscle relaxation Tensing up your body and relaxing gradually, before taking slow, reflective walks also can help to calm the mind and body.