Student Success Tutoring - College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

NSM Student Success Center Tutoring

Location: MH 488, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Student Success Center

Phone number: (657)278-7082

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 am - 7 pm, Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Students can schedule a one 45-minute appointment per day, up to two times a week. Students my schedule up to two weeks in advance but you cannot schedule same day appointments. Appointments for which a student does not 'show' are part of the weekly count for all tutees.

Spring 2023 Schedule, Tutors, and Courses

Danica Banzon

- Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 1pm
- Tutoring the following courses: MATH 115, BIO 150, CHEM 115, CHEM 120A, CHEM 301A
Maile Gutierrez
- Mondays 8:45am to 10:45am, and 1pm to 4pm
- Wednesdays 1pm to 4pm
- Fridays 8:45am to 10:45am
- Tutoring the following courses: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 103, BIO 151, BIO 152, BIO 251, BIO 252, CHEM 115, CHEM 120A, CHEM 120B, CHEM 301A, CHEM 301B, MATH 115, MATH 115A, MATH 115B, MATH 130
Taylor Grimes
- Mondays and Wednesdays 1pm to 5pm
- Tutoring the following courses: MATH 106, MATH 107, MATH 110, MATH 115, MATH 116, MATH 120, MATH 125, MATH 130, MATH 135, MATH 150A, MATH 150B, MATH 207, MATH 250A, MATH 250B, MATH 280, MATH 307, MATH 335, MATH 338, MATH 350
Christian Giron
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9am to 1pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 4pm to 7pm
- Tutoring the following courses: MATH 100, MATH 106, MATH 107, MATH 110, MATH 115, MATH 115A, MATH 115B, MATH 116, MATH 125, MATH 130, MATH 135, MATH 150A, MATH 180, MATH 207, MATH 280, MATH 303A, MATH 302
Aaron Kim
- Monday 4-7pm, Wednesday 2-4pm, Friday 12-2pm
- Tutoring the following courses: MATH 110, MATH 115, MATH 116, MATH 125, MATH 135, MATH 150A, MATH 180
Elizabeth Hernandez
- Monday 10am-12pm , Tuesday 12pm-4pm, Wednesday 5:30pm-7pm, Thursday 3pm-5pm, Friday 10am-12pm
- Tutoring the following courses: PHYS 211 and PHYS 212, MATH 150A, BIOL 151 and BIOL 152
Ashleigh "Quiroz" Quiroz
- Wednesday 1pm-3pm, Friday 10am-3pm
- Tutoring the following courses: GEOL 303B, GEOL 303A, GEOL 310T, GEOL 101, GEOL 201, GEOL 335
Natalie Medina
- Monday 12pm-2pm, Tuesday 12pm-2pm
- Tutoring the following courses: MATH 302, MATH 350

The NSM Student Success Center Tutoring is operated by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. We offer peer tutoring that is one-on-one course-based tutoring by appointment. We are here to help you succeed in your science and math courses.

We offer tutoring for Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Geology (GEOL), Mathematics (MATH), and Physics (PHYS) courses.

How to Make a Tutoring Appointment

TitanNet Instructions Opens in new window

You can make an appointment through TitanNet . Choose tutoring for appointment type, then course-based tutoring for service, then choose NSM Student Success Center for location.
You can choose to meet with a tutor virtually (through zoom) or in-person (in MH-488) when booking a meeting on TitanNet, under meeting types.
Not sure how to make an appointment? Drop by the center in MH-488 and a Student Assistant can make one for you.

Please keep in mind the following points when meeting with a tutor:

Teaching and tutoring are two different things. The tutor will explain a key point that the tutee has not been introduced to by keeping the explanation clear, minimal and to the point.
Tutors will provide an opportunity for the tutee to find and use available resources. This will mean the tutee's textbook, lecture notes, past tests, previous examples, etc.
Tutors will listen very carefully. Is the tutee grasping the concept? Can they explain it easily, or does it take some effort?
The tutors are trained to first ask questions of the tutee in order to understand what part of the learning process difficulty may be occurring. They then ask more questions to help guide the student through these difficulties.
Tutors will offer tips and advice to support the student's learning throughout the session.
The goal of the tutor is not to give tutees the answers, but to help students to think through their difficulties successfully and independently.
A few minutes will be set aside at the end of each session for the tutee to summarize what has been accomplished. This not only helps tutors confirm that the tutee understands all that was covered, but also helps the tutee to review new concepts.

Study Tips

While you attend CSUF, we want you to know the best practices for studying to make sure you are equipped to succeed academically. Transitioning from high school or other institutions to major courses and labs, you will notice a difference in course expectations and time spent in and outside of class. A good place to start is to study at least 2-3 hours per unit you are taking per week. For example, if you are taking 12 units this semester, try dedicating at least 24 hours in your week to studying (12 units x 2 hours = 24 hours study time). Use a calendar or agenda to create monthly and daily schedules that include study time. Prioritize, set goals, and plan accordingly.

Below you will find useful study tips to help you stay on track through the semester.

At the start of the semester:

Read your class syllabi closely.
Schedule all assignment due dates in each class. Start at the end! You can work your way back from finals week so you can plan out your whole semester at a glance.
Find a regular place to study which is free of distractions. Create a space that is conducive for you and your learning. If on campus you can use spaces like the library or the NSM Student Success Center.
Create a routine that works for you and stick with it. Remember to prioritize and be realistic with your goals.

Actions to take weekly/daily:

Do at least a little bit every day. Studying is cumulative.
Review class notes before class and rewrite them after class.
Pay attention when you study. Minimize distractions. Setting aside separate times for studying and for socializing is better than trying to study and socialize simultaneously.
Attend class, participate, ask questions.
Try to make sense of the material you are learning. Relate the material to your every day life and try explaining it to your friends and family.
Attend tutoring sessions, SI, and office hours. Research shows that students who engage in these ways achieve higher grades than those who do not.
Work in study groups if they are productive for you.
Aim to complete assignments 1-2 days in advance.
Rework problems missed on tests.
Complete additional problems.
Get help right away. Semesters go very fast and you want to avoid falling behind.
If you are not doing well in class, try something else. Talk with your professor, seek tutoring, study with classmates. If your current approach is not working, try a new one.

Student Academic Resources

University Learning Center Opens in new window

(in the drop down page we can write- ) Offers tutoring for undergraduate 100 and 200 math and science courses located in Pollak Library North, 1st floor.

Engineering and Computer Science Tutoring Opens in new window

Offers tutoring math and science courses located in Computer Science Building Room 201 (CS-201).

Business Tutoring Center Opens in new window

Offers tutoring for economics, accounting, and finance courses located in SGMH-204 West Pavilion.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) Opens in new window

Offers academic assistance through group study sessions led by an SI leader for students taking historically difficult courses. SI offers sessions for most lower division math and sciences course. Visit the website for their full schedule and locations of SI sessions.

Titan Learn Opens in new window

Need study tips? Visit CSUF’s Titan Learn page for various resources.

Can’t find and SI session or tutor for your course, try these helpful tips:

Study Groups - Join a study group with students in your course. These are especially helpful for upper division major courses and graduate school courses.
Office Hours - Attend your professor’s office hours to ask questions and get feedback. This is especially helpful to build a working relationship with your professor and to ask for help.
Create a study schedule and routine and stick with it! Once you get a routine down to study, break up your work by sections so that your work doesn’t feel to overwhelming.