Classroom Building, Room 130
Supplemental Instruction is a free resource open to all students that helps you figure out how to be successful in your course. It is an internationally recognized academic assistance program designed to help you navigate challenging courses through study sessions that involve interactive group learning with peers in the course.
On average, students who attend WSU Vancouver SI sessions regularly earn a half- to full-letter grade higher than those who attend no sessions.
Trained peer leaders (SI leaders) provide regularly scheduled weekly review sessions. An SI leader is a student who has successfully completed the course at WSU Vancouver, has been recommended by the faculty and meets with the professor to get additional insights.
Guidelines and expectations for SI participation
- Come with the understanding that learning is a messy process and that SI sessions are a safe space to learn.
- Complete the attendance form.
Supported courses and schedule
One-hour sessions
Classroom Building, Room 130
Chemistry 105
1 p.m. Monday, Rachel Mathews
3 p.m. Wednesday, Rachel Mathews
Chemistry 106
3 p.m. Tuesday, Joey Pham
3 p.m. Thursday, Joey Pham
Physics 101
9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Joey Pham
10:30 a.m. Friday, Joey Pham
Physic 102
2 p.m. Monday, Alexia Beem
9 a.m. Friday, Alexia Beem
History 105
2 p.m. Tuesday, Liana Batazham
4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Samuel Crawford
10 a.m. Thursday, Samuel Crawford
2 p.m. Thursday, Liana Batazham
Supplemental Instruction spring workshops
One-hour faculty-led workshops
Classroom Building, Room 130
Preparing to Write
Noon Jan. 30
Join representatives from the Writing Center to learn about how to read an assignment, how to make sure all of the elements of the assignments are clear, how to generate ideas, and how to move from idea to thesis. Bring an assignment that you find particularly challenging!
Finding Secondary Sources
Noon and 4 p.m. Feb. 7
Join WSU Vancouver librarians to learn about using the library catalog, databases and more to find books and articles for your research paper or assignment. Whether you’re just starting your search or have been working at it for a while, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to bring your topic and assignment!
Thesis Development
Noon Feb. 20
Join representatives from the Writing Center to learn strategies for moving from idea to thesis, establishing the main point, establishing the significance of that point (your stance), and constructing a clear focus for the assignment. Be sure to bring an essay assignment that you are currently drafting.
Finding Primary Sources
Noon and 4 p.m. Feb. 28
Join WSU Vancouver librarians to learn about searching for and identifying primary sources for your research paper or assignment. Whether you’re just starting your search or have been working at it for a while, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to bring your topic and assignment!
Revise, Revise, Revise
Noon March 19
Join representatives from the Writing Center to learn how to revise the essay from the first to the final draft. Learn about editing, sentence structure and paragraphing. Be sure to bring a full draft that you are in the process of completing.
Finding Sources Using Library Services
Noon March 27
Join WSU Vancouver librarians to get help finding sources using library services for your research paper or assignment. Whether you’re just starting your search or have been working at it for a while, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to bring your topic and assignment!
Reap the benefits!
Students who attend SI sessions learn valuable study skills through peer interactions and are better prepared when they go to tutoring centers or instructor’s office hours.
Here's what student's are saying about Supplemental Instruction:
- Positive, anxiety-reducing experience.
- It's a great place to find out about resources on campus.
- Helpful advice on managing time
- Able to make progress with projects and assignments when you hit a roadblock.
- A fresh set of eyes to review class projects and presentations.
How do students become SI leaders?
Students self-identify and apply via handshake or faculty nominate students and those students are encouraged to apply via handshake.
- SI candidates must maintain a 3.0 cumulative WSU GPA or better.
- SI candidates must have an A or an A- in the course for which they will be an SI leader.
To nominate a student, faculty can email Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Thabiti Lewis or Faculty Lead for Innovative Pedagogies Paul Krouss.