• What is Supplemental Instruction (SI)?
• Who attends SI sessions?
• What goes on in the SI sessions?
• What makes the SI leader qualified to facilitate these study sessions?
• How are the times for the SI sessions selected?
• Why do SI leaders take attendance in SI sessions?
• Can I attend more than one session per week?
• How do I know when review sessions are before an exam?
• Can I be an SI leader?

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Q: What is Supplemental Instruction (SI)?

A:

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is essentially "Students Helping Students." SI is an academic support program designed to aid students in traditionally difficult courses. SI provides regularly scheduled, peer-led study sessions. An "SI leader" is assigned to each SI supported class. The SI leader is a student who has taken the class before, and done very well. She/he attends the class again and models ideal student behavior. The SI leader conducts 3 or more 50-minute planned study sessions per week. These sessions are available to all students enrolled in the class at no cost. SI sessions are not a time for the SI leader to re-lecture the same material presented in class. Rather, they are a time when you can work in small, collaborative groups with your classmates to review lecture material, course reading, and homework. SI incorporates study strategies into each and every session - and who better to help you with study strategies than an SI leader who has already gotten an A in the course!

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Q: Who attends SI sessions?

A:

SI is open to all students enrolled in the selected section of a particular class. SI attracts and is helpful for students from all ability levels. Our stats have shown that SI participants earn higher mean final course grades regardless of prior achievement levels. SI really works!

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Q: What goes on in the SI sessions?

A:

SI sessions have an informal atmosphere where you and your classmates can aid each other in learning while guided by an SI leader. Typically SI leaders prepare worksheets, handouts, problem-solving exercises, and plan group activities in order to reinforce important parts of class. SI sessions are a great place to go over important concepts, review class notes, discuss reading assignments, work practice problems, and reinforce relevant study skills.

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Q: What makes the SI leader qualified to facilitate these study sessions?

A:

SI leaders are undergraduate students who have already successfully completed the particular SI class. Often times SI leaders have done additional advanced work in the subject. The SI leaders are selected based on their academic strengths in addition to their communication and people skills. SI leaders attend your class, take notes, and complete the readings and homework. The leaders also meet regularly with the professor to discuss what concepts should be stressed in the weekly sessions.

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Q: How are the times for the SI sessions selected?

A:

SI session days and times are determined before classes even begin, so that you can plan them into your schedule early on in the semester. Each course has at least 3 SI sessions per week at varying times. Some courses offer 4 SI sessions per week and office hours to meet with the SI leader. If we discover that students in the class can't attend the SI sessions, then SI leaders survey the students in the class to find session times that will better accommodate students.

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Q: Why do SI leaders take attendance in SI sessions?

A:

Attendance is taken solely for statistical purposes. We like to see if students are utilizing SI, if SI is effective in helping students succeed... oh, and - people like to give us money for more SI when they can see that it's working and students are using it!

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Q: Can I attend more than one session per week?

A:

YES! Attending SI sessions is totally voluntary, but studies show that the more times you are exposed to new material the easier it becomes to recall later. Attending multiple SI sessions allows you to network among your classmates so you can make new friends, learn different studying techniques, and help each other through your different weak and strong points. Sometimes courses have more than one SI leader, so attending additional sessions will allow you to experience the different styles of SI leaders.

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Q: How do I know when review sessions are before an exam?

A:

SI leaders like to hold review sessions before exams. They will announce these in class, in SI sessions, and sometimes post it up on the CAPS website. Make sure you know when they are held - they are a good time to prepare and be around people who have the same goal - to pass the test with flying colors!

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Q: Can I be an SI leader?

A:

We are always looking for great SI leaders! We begin the hiring process early so it is a good idea to apply the semester before you wish to work. However, we are always taking applications. If you are interested in knowing more about the requirements to be an SI leader follow the link to the right and fill out an application.

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