Center for Student Success

Center for Student Success

Tutoring Center

Jackson College is committed to student success and offers all its students free academic tutoring at various college locations in friendly, supportive environments. The goal of tutoring is to provide individualized or group assistance that enables you to develop academic mastery and independence.

two female students studying and tutoring

Online Tutoring

Tutoring options that better fit student’s time and schedule is now available! Tutors will be available on demand to better serve the needs of students who may have questions or need help with their classes.

View courses available for online tutoring

Smarthinking Online Tutoring

Don’t let your busy life get the best of you. With 24/7 availability and four different types of online tutoring services, Smarthinking fits into your schedule – whenever you need it most.

How to get started

  • Log into JetNet Online Classes
  • Select the ‘Student Union’ tab
  • Select the ‘Smarthinking Online Tutoring’ link under the Tutoring section
  • Begin!

Make tutoring work for you!

Come prepared
Bring your textbook, notes, and assignment sheets with you. Read your assignments and do your best to work through your homework problems before your tutoring session.

Attend classes regularly
Tutoring is designed to supplement class instruction, not to replace it.

Do not ask tutors to do your work
This includes homework, proof-read your assignment, or assist in any way with take-home exams. Tutors can help clarify assignments and identify skills needed to complete assignments. They can give you extra problems and examples like the ones your having trouble with and help you learn to solve them.

Understand that student tutors are not teachers
Teaching provides students with new information; tutoring helps the students master that information by providing alternate explanations, techniques and examples.

Use tutoring services early & often
You will benefit more from tutoring if you come when you first begin having problems. If you wait until the last minute, you may not be able to master the material in time to succeed on tests and assignments.

Do not expect tutors to know everything
Remember that tutors are students like you who have mastered specific course content with a specific instructor. They are not expected to have the level of experience of your professor.

Ask questions as they arise
If you remain silent, the tutor may assume you understand. Tutors have learned many ways to explain a single concept, so continue to ask questions until the material is clear for you.

Sign in at the front desk
Doing this helps us maintain funding to continue to provide these services free of charge.

Become a Tutor

Eligibility requirements

  • Must be currently enrolled at Jackson College in six or more credits.
  • Have earned a 3.5 or better in the course you wish to tutor.
  • If you are currently enrolled in a course you would like to tutor, your instructor must recommend you by contacting the Center.
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

If you meet eligibility requirements and are interested in becoming a tutor, please fill a student tutor application by clicking here. Once your application is complete, contact CSS at 517.796.8415 or stop by Bert Walker Hall, room 138.

Timesheet deadlines

Timesheets are due by noon on the due dates listed (Saturday). Failure to turn in times sheets by the posted deadline will result in delayed payment. In rare instances, timesheets will be accepted at other times and will be communicated to you by the CSS coordinator. Time must also be entered electronically via e-Services.

Tutor certification program

The Center for Student Success is currently in Level I certification! We are very excited about this and encourage all tutors to strive for certification!

Important facts about tutoring certification:

  • Sponsored by the College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA), an international tutor certification organization that sets a standard of skills and training for tutors and provides recognition and reinforcement for tutors’ successful work.
  • Certifies programs at three levels
  • Requires 10 hours of training and 25 hours of tutoring experience for each certification level
  • Provides professional standards for tutor training
  • Rewards tutors
  • Establishes credibility for tutoring programs
  • Is endorsed by the National Association for Developmental Education and Commission XVI, Academic Support in Higher Education, of the American College Personnel Association