Success Center

We Merged and Moved!

In August 2018, the Success Center moved to a new location inside the Library, and merged with the Writing Center. Now, students can get help for all supported subjects on campus and writing in the same place! We've also integrated the ESL Skills Lab into the new space to better serve all students on campus.

General Information

Free tutoring is available to help students develop study skills, manage their time, stay organized, learn and review course material, develop written and critical thinking skills, practice problem-solving, and learn ways to study "smarter" (not harder) in a differentiated way that's best suited to their preferred learning style(s). Our entrance is located inside the Library just past the Printing/Books for Food area. We can be reached at 408-741-2038 if you have any questions (not answered by our website).

To be eligible for tutoring, you must be currently enrolled at West Valley College in the subject in which you wish to be tutored, and your class must have started to meet.

Canvas help now available. Ask any peer tutor if you need help navigating through your course(s).

Become a Tutor

Do you like helping others in a meaningful way? Can you communicate effectively? If your GPA is 3.0 or above and you have a B or better in the subject you wish to tutor, we invite you to apply.

What will you get out of it?

• Help others.
• Earn money.
• Enhance your knowledge of the subject. (The jury is still out on whether or not tutees learn more than tutors during a tutoring session.)
• Develop and improve your communication skills.
• Learn how to become a more organized student.
• Increase your confidence by facing and working through challenges.
• Gain experience in a leadership role.
• Develop your resume and on–the–job skills, applicable in most modern work environments.
• Work on campus, close to classes.

How do I become a tutor?

• Register for Interdisciplinary Studies (ISTU 40), the 1/2-unit, hybrid-format Tutor Training course and ISTU 40E for those interested in tutoring writing/English--successful completion of ISTU 40 is a prerequisite for a general tutoring job, and ISTU 40E must also be completed for a writing tutoring job: students may only apply after this requirement has been met.
• After successfully completing ISTU 40 (and 40E),complete a Peer Tutor Application. Request all Faculty Recommendations, too, but feel free to submit your application before they're done.
• Submit a completed application to Jen Wagner, the Success Center Coordinator.
• After applying, you may be asked to interview; if not, you may follow–up with Jen Wagner, and ask why an interview was not granted.
• If hired, you will need to complete an employment packet with the West Valley College Personnel office.
• NOTE: the hiring process can take a while from start to finish, so please apply early, especially if you're hoping to work during the current semester.
  
• Any other questions? Come in to the Success Center and ask: we really need good tutors and will help you through the process. Or, give Jen a call at 408–741–2615 or email%20Jen%20Wagner.

Spring 2019 Schedule

NOTE: The schedule rolls out weekly until around weeks 10-12, then remains set until the week before finals when Prep Sessions are added, and during finals week when we switch to Review Sessions only, no drop-in. The schedule below is updated on Fridays for the following week, so check here regularly for the most updated version. If a class with which you'd like support isn't yet posted, please review the list of supported classes at the bottom of "General Information" tab. If your class isn't there, please explore the resources under our "Off-Site Tutoring" tab.

Off–Site Tutoring

Free online tutoring via NetTutor

In order to access this free, outsourced, online service, please click on the link marked "NetTutor 24/7" on the left column menu of your Canvas course shell. If your instructor has not activated his/her course in Canvas, please request it so this feature (only) will be enabled for your class.

Off–Site Tutoring

If you're not a current West Valley College student, or if you need private, face-to-face tutoring outside of the Tutorial Center, we recommended the following sources, not affiliated with WVC:

• Tutree.com: an online resource (and app) that allows you to connect with tutors near you who have been vetted by Tutree; payment can also be made securely through their site and/or app.
• "The 10 Best Tutoring Centers in Saratoga" is an online listing of Yelp's top-rated tutorial centers close to West Valley. Many focus on K-12 education, but some may offer higher-level help as well.
• Craigslist: many private tutors advertise via Craigslist, but you need to search for and vet them yourself. It's a good resource to see who's available, their level of expertise (from high school students to PhDs), and the going hourly rate for private tutors in the Bay Area. Of course, as with any Craigslist ad, please meet in a public place and be safe.

NOTE: The Success/Tutorial Center does NOT hire out our tutors for private, off-site tutoring. Additionally, we will NOT provide a tutor's private contact information to those who request it. We highly value the safety and privacy of our staff, and thank you for understanding.

Workshops

During Fall and Spring semesters, workshops are held in the Success Center's computer classroom, are run by faculty members, and have tutoring available afterwards for that area of focus. More workshops (for various subjects and study skills) are being developed now and will be implemented in the future. If you have any questions about them or want to request one, please speak with the Success Center Coordinator, Jen Wagner, or email her at jennifer.wagner@westvalley.edu.