TRIO Student Support Services

What do advising sessions cover?

When you first meet your TRIO advisor, we spend a bit more time getting to know you. We may ask about why you chose KVCC, what you hope to achieve (both this semester and long-term), what types of support you may benefit from, and even your general interests. And of course, we can answer any lingering questions about TRIO or KVCC!

When you come in for a mid-semester check in, we generally have 2 priorities: (1) discussing your midterm grades, and (2) planning for course registration.

We can also help you with...

• Identifying next steps (entering the workforce, entering or changing programs, transferring to a four-year college)
• Applying for financial aid or scholarships
• Accessing support within or beyond TRIO

That said, you don't have to wait until your midterm check-in to meet with a TRIO advisor. In some cases, you SHOULD contact us sooner. 

For instance, if you want to drop/withdraw from a class or take time off from school, please talk to your advisor. We won't necessarily "talk you out of it," but sometimes students overlook the academic/financial consequences (e.g., it could delay your degree progress/graduation, or you could owe money back to the college). Ultimately, it's your decision; but we want you to be informed.

How should I prepare for my advising meeting?

• If you need to cancel/reschedule your meeting, please do so as early as possible. Especially around midterms and finals, our schedules fill up fast. Cancelling early allows us to assist other students.
   
• Reflect on the semester - what is going well? What are you struggling with? Are there any particular resources you think you need?
   
• Consider making a list of questions or concerns you have
   
• If possible, check out the courses being offered next semester and your degree requirements. Take note of any classes that you are definitely interested in. (This is especially important if you are in General/Liberal Studies, or have electives to take.)
   
• If you met with another advisor, please be prepared to share any plans you made with them, so we can all be on the same page.
   
• The KVCC Advising Center's website is also an excellent resource, including guides to each degree program and useful tutorials.

What tutoring services does TRIO offer?

TRIO provides academic tutoring services in several areas: math/science (including Anatomy & Physiology), writing and reading skills (including creative writing and professional documents - i.e. resumes, cover letters, and personal statements), technology/software navigation, and study skills.

We also sometimes hire peer tutors (typically 2nd-year TRIO students) in more specialized fields, such as business, early childhood education, health sciences, social sciences, etc. This type of support varies each term. If we can't provide subject-specific support for you, we suggest contacting the Student Success Center and/or your instructor.

We can offer both one-off and recurring sessions throughout the semester, at the tutor's discretion. Tutoring is a good first step when you feel overwhelmed or stuck (or just want some feedback).

How do I contact a tutor?

You can schedule a tutoring session anytime via our Bookings page.

If you'd like to contact a tutor directly, you can also find their contact info in the left sidebar. (Each listing indicates that person's subject area/specialty.)

What can a tutor do?

Tutors can help you talk through ideas or assignments. We're great listeners! Sometimes it helps to bounce ideas off someone, or just to talk through it. We're trained to help you work through the problem-solving process.

Tutors can answer specific questions and explain concepts in different ways. When we ask, "Does that make sense?", it's really okay to say no. We'll just approach it another way.

Tutors can give you the space to think through problems. We're pros at awkward silences. Seriously. It can be uncomfortable, but that's where thinking often happens.

Tutors can recommend additional resources for self-study or accessibility. For example, Zander can provide tutorials on screen readers or voice-to-text programs to assist with reading and writing.

What CAN'T a tutor do?

Tutors will NEVER do your work for you. They will offer feedback or suggest strategies you can try; in some cases, they may even provide examples. But ultimately, you are responsible for applying the principles you've worked on with a tutor. We also won't "proofread" your homework, or tell you everything you need to fix.

Our goal is always to help you learn the skills you need - not to fix the assignment.

Tutors will NEVER take a quiz or test for (or with) you. We can't assist you with "exam" questions or papers in any way.

We CAN help you prepare for a test, though! For example, if you're struggling to study effectively for your A&P exams, Landi can give you some tried-and-true tips.

Lastly, tutors CAN'T promise you'll receive a certain grade. At the end of our sessions, we're often asked, "Will I get an A?" The truth is, we aren't grading it, so we don't know. We also know growth doesn't always happen overnight - and that's okay. If you don't get the result you want, that doesn't mean you aren't making progress. Remember, "FAIL" = First Attempt In Learning.

How should I prepare for my tutoring session?

• If you need to cancel or reschedule, please do so as soon as possible.
   
• Try to come in with a growth mindset.
   
• Come prepared! Whenever possible, bring anything you might need - class notes, textbook/readings, assignment instructions, and the technology you need to do the work (whether that's pen and paper, a computer, a calculator, etc.) For virtual meetings, we strongly recommend using a computer.
   
• Come in with an intention. Try to identify what you need help with beforehand – whether that's a list of questions you have, or instructor feedback that you're struggling with.
   
• Try doing the work on your own first, even if you get it "wrong." This maximizes your learning AND allows us to prioritize the biggest issues during the session.
   
• Be present when you meet with us. Especially in virtual meetings, we know many students have hectic home lives - a little chaos is inevitable. However, please avoid interruptions within your control, like multitasking (e.g., cooking dinner) or conversing with others during our session.
   
• All that said - it's better to come in unprepared or disorganized than not come at all. We'll do our best to help you get there.