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When Emmanuel students need backup on their quest for academic success, they need look no further than the College’s Academic Resource Center (ARC).
The start to a new semester can be hectic and overwhelming – but sometimes all it takes are a few small steps to start a strong foundation for any given academic year – like visiting the ARC.
Built to empower Emmanuel students with the guidance and support they need to excel in their academics, the ARC runs on community and connection to open doors for student success. Whether it’s the challenge of getting that bump up in a letter grade, managing time across commitments – or even if a student doesn’t even know what type of support they may need – making use of the ARC can make a world of difference.
Connecting to Start the Year Strong
Even just setting aside some time to review syllabi and get an understanding of all the deadlines for each course throughout the semester is a “huge, helpful step,” said Wendy LaBron, Assistant Dean of the ARC.
When it comes to Emmanuel services like the ARC, LaBron said, it is often the strongest students that make the most use of them – which is not a coincidence, she said. “It’s a strength to use these resources that are available to you. And, it’s the Emmanuel way; last year, 85 percent of first-year students took advantage of at least one of our services.”
Alongside LaBron within the ARC is Director Krista Aslanian, who offers one-on-one academic coaching. Using the ARC early on is especially important, Aslanian explained, because of how quickly a semester goes by.
Students who come to the ARC early – even in the first week of classes – do typically have a stronger start to the semester, Aslanian added, especially if they have a concern about a specific challenge or course. That first meeting allows students to lay out those concerns, and then when the time comes for the course to start, they can relax and just focus on learning.
And students don’t need to be 100 percent sure what they are seeking when they make an appointment – even if it’s outside of the ARC’s scope, ARC staff will connect them with the right person.
Finding Academic Strength in Tutoring and Coaching
Within the ARC, students can access the College’s Peer Tutors program, where students help students – and in many cases, peer tutors even use other peer tutors – to excel in a variety of courses. Over 60 Peer Tutors offer support in many subject matters through both individual appointments and tutor-facilitated study groups. Last year, ARC tutors delivered over 1,700 hours of individual tutoring.
The ARC also offers writing assistance through writing peer tutors and writing specialists. Learn more about how to set up a peer tutoring appointment here.
New to the College, the ARC has added Emily Smith as its new Peer Tutor Coordinator. Her first tip for Emmanuel students? “Don’t be afraid to ask questions – and get connected to your resources, the earlier the better!”
In addition to tutoring, the ARC’s academic coaching services can help ground students who are feeling untethered, which allows them to get organized and visualize a central focus for their academic path.
“Whatever it may be, we give students concrete, tangible strategies to help them manage their semester of academics,” Aslanian said.
For example, Aslanian said she provides specific guidance on how students can manage their time when juggling lots of different commitments, whether they are academic, social, or athletic.
Or for first-year students who are unsure about what the transition into college may be like, the ARC can provide a scope of skills that can ease those concerns.
“The ARC, at its core, is about community and connection – to each other, to those we assist, to a healthy academic ecosystem, and to the larger Emmanuel community,” LaBron said.
Learn more about the lasting impact that the ARC has had on Emmanuel alumni and how it supported them throughout their time as undergraduates.