CAS - Student Services

» Writing Assistance
» Phone Tutoring for Papers
» One-on-One Academic Counseling
» Tutoring
» Guided Study Sessions (GSS)
» Study Groups
» Policy for Individual & Group Study Space
» Procedure for Proctoring for Exams for Students with Learning Disabilities

Writing Assistance

The Center for Academic Success can assist you in learning to interpret assignments, organizing and planning your writing process, and refining and improving your grammar and writing skills. While CAS staff will look over and proofread your paper, the Center's goal is to develop your writing skills and leave you with new knowledge that you can take with you in further assignments and writing endeavors. CAS counselors will sit with you and provide feedback on the paper, explain where they see your strengths and challenges, and teach you ways to overcome these challenges, engaging you in the writing process and in the new transferable skills you have just learned. Through the use of a Learning Log, CAS staff will engage you in concretely identifying what it is you've learned in each session. You can also return to this log in the future to continually remember and polish skills. All sessions are confidential.

Process

  1. Bring in or e-mail your assignment or paper. CAS is located in SG III , Room 1134, and can be reached via e-mail at sg-cas@umd.edu
  2. Bring a description of the assignment. If such a description is not available, be prepared to explain the objectives of the assignment to the CAS counselor. Remember, CAS staff is not in the class with you, and so may not be up to date on exactly what the professor wants. It is up to you to convey these instructions to the counselor in order to receive the most accurate feedback.
  3. Schedule a time to receive feedback. Remember that, once you bring the assignment in, the CAS staff will need time to read and analyze the paper. Depending on the paper's length and the schedule of the CAS Counselor, the reading and feedback process varies in duration. Walk-ins are always welcome, but to ensure that the counselor will have ample time, and that you will not have to wait, appointments are recommended. You may make an appointment by calling 301.738.6315, by stopping by CAS in SG III, Rm. 1134, or by e-mailing us at sg-cas@umd.edu.
  4. Receive feedback. CAS staff will spend time explaining the strengths and areas for improvement in your paper or in your writing process. They may also spend time going over the assignment, planning and organizing your paper, or asking you questions about your paper. To receive feedback via the phone, please see the section on "phone tutoring."
  5. ASK QUESTIONS! Be prepared with any specific questions or concerns, and if you are confused or do not understand something that the counselor is saying, make sure to clarify. While CAS staff is experienced in providing writing feedback, it is up to the student to be active in making sure any confusion is cleared up.
  6. Follow up. If necessary, you may want to bring your paper back in for further feedback after you have revised it. CAS is more than happy to work with you at any stage of the writing process, and more than one revision is often needed to produce a quality paper.

Phone Tutoring for Papers

Not on campus? Want feedback on your papers? Send your paper to us via e-mail, and we will give you a call with comments on your writing.

How to use Phone Tutoring

  1. If you have not utilized the services of the Center for Academic Success, begin by filling out the Intake Form. Attach this completed document to your e-mail (see further instructions below).
  2. Write an e-mail including any questions or concerns about the paper (example: Do I have a complete thesis statement? Did I answer the questions posed in the assignment? Could you take a look at the conclusion and tell me what you think?). Also, if possible, include any notes or information about the paper such as assignment requirements, where you are in the writing process (first draft? Final copy?), and the due date.
  3. Attach the complete paper in Microsoft Word (.doc) format, or
  4. Set aside 30-45 minutes to have a phone conversation with the tutor about your paper. Make sure you are ready to take notes and can be free from distraction for that entire period. In your e-mail, please include several options of times that you might be available between 8:30 and 5:00, Monday-Friday, or until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
  5. You will receive a follow-up e-mail from CAS confirming that we have received your paper, as well as letting you know during which of the times you provided that we will call.
  6. When it is time for your phone conversation, be prepared with a copy of the paper so you can follow along with the tutor's comments. Take careful notes and don't be afraid to ask questions!

So, your e-mail should include the following items:

  • Description of assignment (in the professor's own words if possible).
  • Your specific questions and/or concerns.
  • Completed intake form.
  • Your attached paper.
  • Several 30-45 minute windows of time during our office hours in which you could receive feedback via the phone.
  • A phone number where you can be reached at those times.

If you have any questions about Phone Tutoring, please contact us at 301.738.6315 or sg-cas@umd.edu

One-on-One Academic Counseling

Having trouble keeping up in class? Feeling the pressure of that upcoming exam? Having a hard time cramming in all that reading, and feeling like you're not getting anything out of it? Come see a CAS counselor today!
CAS provides one-on-once academic "personal training", where a CAS counselor will chat with you about your personal and academic goals, how you can achieve these goals, and what obstacles are standing in your way. The counselor can then work with you to equip you with the tools necessary to meet these goals, tools in areas such as time management, organization, motivation, test-taking and preparation, general study skills, reading, and stress management.

Simply make an appointment or drop by the Center for Academic Success (SG III, Room 1134). Be prepared to have a discussion with a counselor about your goals and/or concerns, and be ready to take notes on the advice or pointers the CAS staff give you. All sessions are confidential.

Tutoring

CAS can facilitate the process of finding a tutor.

  1. To request a tutor, please fill out the Request a Tutor Form
  2. CAS will attempt to find a tutor and will contact you with the details.
  3. If a tutor can be found on campus, CAS will pay the tutor.
  4. In some cases, tutors are limited or unavailable, in which case CAS will attempt to refer you to an off-campus tutor or another resource. In this case, the student may be responsible for paying the tutor or service directly.

If you are interested in BEING a tutor, please fill out the Tutor Application Form

UMUC Tutoring Referral Page
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/tutorref.html

Study Groups

For classes which do not have Guided Study Sessions, CAS can help you form your own study group with peers in your class. They can help you secure space, can publicize the formation of the group, and can provide you with assistance in study skills and ideas for facilitating this independent study group.

Policy For Individual & Group Study Space

  • Only students enrolled in programs at USG can use study space in Room 1134.
  • The two group study rooms in 1134 can be used for only 2 hours at a time. To minimize noise, the maximum number of students per group is four.
  • Priority will be given to groups. Individuals who want guaranteed quiet space should use the classrooms indicated on the "Additional Quiet Study Space Schedule."
  • The "Additional Quiet Study Space Schedule" is posted weekly on the bulletin boards of Center for Academic Success.
  • To be fair to all students, you must use the sign-up sheet on the door of each room to reserve your time.
  • Groups of any size can apply to Mary Lang at mlang4@umd.edu or 301-738-6323 for classrooms for group study.
  • Public visitors to USG are welcome to study in the library.

Procedure for Proctoring for Exams for Students with Learning Disabilities

Students

  1. Acquire appropriate documentation from the Disability Support Service of your home campus of your need for special accommodations for test-taking. Requested accommodations can include: extended time, private space for taking test, scribe and/or reader for exam, computer for taking essay exam, calculator.
  2. Take a copy of this documentation to your instructor(s) and bring a copy to the Center for Academic Success
  3. Fill out the student portion of a Test Request Form. Include the date and time of when you plan to take the exam in CAS. CAS Testing Service hours are by appointment only Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for fall and spring semesters.
  4. Email or hand-deliver your filled out form to your instructor.
  5. FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO CAS 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE TEST DAY. A new form must be filled out for each exam!!
  6. Come prepared for the exam. Be on time and bring any tools you need (pencils, calculators, etc.). Cell phones, i-pods, palm pilots, and other personal items are not allowed in the testing room.