Tutoring at MCC-Penn Valley

• Don't wait until the day your paper is due to visit the writing center.
• Take time to process the feedback you receive.
• Try to see a tutor a minimum of three to four times per assignment.

People don't visit the writing center because they are bad writers. They come because they are writers and they know that all writers need someone to read their work and offer comments.

• There is no substitute for asking questions and getting the assignment clarified by your instructor.
• It's a good idea to bring any written instructions from your instructor.
• Keep track of your syllabus, as it contains a wealth of information about your course assignments.
• The writing conference belongs to you. The writing tutors are here to help you.
• It helps us all when you are active in the process.
• Ask questions and request clarification about things you don't understand or have a concern about.
• We may not be able to address all your writing concerns before your paper is due.
• We are not a substitute for attending class, reading the textbook, or doing research.
• We are here to assist you; however, we are not miracle workers.
• Tutors are available to help with any stage of the writing process from brainstorming to final revisions.
• Tutors WILL NOT proofread, edit or make any changes on a paper.
• Tutors can help students identify grammatical problems.

• The writing session belongs to you. The writing tutors are here to help you.
• It helps when you are active in the process.
• Ask questions and request clarification about things you don't understand or have a concern about.
• We may not be able to address all your writing concerns before your paper is due.
• We are not a substitute for attending class, reading the textbook or doing research.
• We are here to assist you.
• Tutors are available to help with any stage of the writing process from brainstorming to final revisions.
• Tutors can help students identify grammatical problems.

• We may not be able to address all of your writing concerns before your paper is due.
• We are not a substitute for attending class, reading the textbook or doing research.
• We are here to assist you.
• Tutors are available to help with any stage of the writing process from brainstorming to final revisions.
• Tutors WILL NOT proofread, edit or make any changes on a paper.
• Tutors can help students identify grammatical problems.

• Tutors are available to help with any stage of the writing process from brainstorming to final revisions.
• Tutors WILL NOT proofread, edit or make any changes on a paper.
• Tutors can help students identify grammatical problems.

Purdue OWL

Purdue OWL offers over 200 free resources including:

• Writing and teaching writing
• Research
• Grammar and mechanics
• Style guides
• ESL (English as a Second Language)
• Job search and professional writing

Study skills support provides students with strategies to enhance classroom learning. We provide assistance for students seeking help with skills such as note taking, time management, goal setting, test preparation, test-taking and other study strategies.

MCC-Penn Valley Student Success Center also provides assistance for students seeking to find help with most aspects of college reading: difficult reading assignments, managing large reading assignments, or with skills needed to understand and complete instructor assignments.

• History
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Art History
• Philosophy

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Anatomy/Physiology

• Computer Skills
• Academic success skills (study skills, test taking, note taking, time management)
• English as a Second Language (ESL)

Most of our resources have open availability (first-come, first-serve basis) for use within our facility at any time. Some materials, such as calculators and some textbooks, may be held at the front desk.

A valid student ID or driver's license must be presented to check out laptops, dry erase markers, business kits, calculators, headphones and textbooks.

Please see SSC staff for assistance.

The SSC has a variety of study spaces available for individual and small group study. These spaces are mostly available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you need to ensure availability for yourself or a group, please speak with the SSC front desk about a possible reservation.

The spaces that may be reserved include:

• Conference room with a seating capacity 6 (mobile dry erase board* can be made available)
• 3 collaboration rooms, each with a seating capacity of 6 & a dry erase board*
• 3 study rooms, each with a seating capacity of 4 & a dry erase board*
• Classroom with a seating capacity of 25 people, instructor computer with projector, and large dry erase board*
• Seminar room with a seating capacity of 20 people and large dry erase board*
• *dry erase markers can be checked out at the front desk

The SSC houses 7 desktop computer stations. Laptops are available for checkout from the front desk but must be used within the SSC or Library; no laptops are to leave the SSC or library facilities. Additional desktop computers are available for use in the library and Academic Computer Lab (HU103).

Students are expected to follow the Acceptable Use Policy for internet and computer usage. See SSC staff or visit the Techline page if you need assistance.

It is expected that headphones or earbuds will be used for any audible files, videos, music, etc. Anything that is played aloud will result in you being asked to use headphones or earbuds, or to turn it off entirely. For your convenience, headphones may be checked out from the SSC front desk to be used within our facility.

It is expected that any student occupying one of the desktop computer stations be actively utilizing the computer. The computers are in high demand so please be courteous of others. If you are not utilizing the computer, please move to one of the many seating options that are available where you can work from a laptop or without a computer. SSC staff reserves the right to request that you move away from the computer stations.

Printing is available in the SSC, from the desktop and laptop computers. To save resources and maximize your 200 free pages, we encourage responsible printing.

Additional copies may be purchased at the MCC- Penn Valley Library or by using a credit card through your PaperCut account.

Please see SSC staff for assistance with printing, including PaperCut (PDF) questions. PLEASE RECYCLE!

For your convenience, food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in the SSC. Please be courteous to others by disposing of all trash in the receptacles available and cleaning up any messes that you make.

Cell phones should remain on silent or vibrate while in the SSC. Talking on cell phones is discouraged in the SSC, as it is disruptive to our learning environment. If you must take a phone call, please do so in the SSC reception area or step into the hallway.

For security purposes and to respect our study environment, no children or outside guests of students are permitted. Guests accompanied by an MCC employee are allowed; all other guests will be asked to wait in the SSC reception area (children cannot be left unattended).

The Student Success Center is not liable for damage or loss of any personal items; leaving items unattended is done so at your own risk. "Holding" study rooms or computer stations by leaving your personal items in the room or at the station is not allowed.

Any student who will be away from the study room, computer station or any other SSC area for more than 10 minutes is expected to remove their personal belongings so others may use the area. Personal items may not be left at the front desk.

The Student Success Center is an area that promotes student success in a variety of ways and it is our mission is to maintain an environment that is conducive to learning, focus and productivity. Therefore, it is expected that any student utilizing our facility and services will conduct themselves appropriately for a learning environment, in accordance with the MCC Student Code of Conduct.

SSC staff reserves the right to collect information such as name and student ID numbers from anyone disrupting the learning environment or otherwise violating the code of conduct. Repeat violations by the same individuals may lead to a referral to the MCC Dean of Students.

• Attend every class.
• Be on time.
• If you arrive late, take a seat quietly without disrupting the class.
• Let your instructor know if you must miss class.
• Read and keep track of the syllabus.
• Take notes in class.
• Review your notes every day after class.
• Do your assignments and turn them in on time.
• Begin papers/projects when the instructor assigns them.
• Read the assigned chapter before class.
• Utilize the Student success center before you have a problem in class.
• Get to know your classmates and form study groups.
• Take a realistic course load.
• Participate in campus activities.
• Eat healthy and get plenty of sleep.

• Bring all instructor assignments, class materials, as well as notes from class to tutoring appointments
• Make appointments with tutors or Learning Specialist prior to the assignment's due date
• Use time wisely before, during and after the tutoring appointment
• Know that the tutoring appointment will provide support and guidance, but will not replace class attendance or homework completion
• Actively participate in the tutoring and learning process