Tutoring

»We make it easier!«

Say the student tutors at our university and so say the students, too. Those students, who have already experienced  help from their fellow students or teachers in the tutoring programme.

What is tutoring and why is it important dor students?
We have defined tutoring as systematic guidance of students through their study, focusing not only on their academic progress or challenges, but also on their personal development.

What forms of tutoring are offered at faculties and academies of the Unviersity of Ljubljana?
We distinguish between different forms of tutoring on the basis of three criteria: who is tutoring, what sort of help is offered and who is it offered to. Two forms are distinguished on the basis of these criteria:

• Teachers' tutoring, teachers are tutors
• Students' tutoring, students are helped and guided by fellow students in upper study years of study.

Teachers-tutors are usually offering individual consultations to a group of students on various topics like: how to choose optional courses, how to progress to a higher study year, career possibilities and other themes, relevant during the time of study. Good tutoring is helping students in their studies, progress and quality of study. Over a half of the university member faculties and academies are offering this form of tutoring, it is expected however, that all will introduce it by the academic year 2010/11.

The purpose of students' tutoring is also offering support to students. Students tutors primarily help other students with their studies and study obligations in order to prevent them from failing or losing motivation during the studies. Students' tutoring is an important activity that enriches both involved, giving the tutor new experience and skills, forming bonds of trust  between both students. Such attitude acts towards more positive approach to study, stronger interactions between fellow students and towards better study results. Students' tutoring is offered at most faculties and academies at our university, in a variety of forms:

1. Introductory students' tutoring
2. Subject students' tutoring
3. Students' tutoring for students with special needs
4. Students' tutoring for foreign students

1. Introductory students' tutoring
Introductory students' tutoring is intended for first year students, who find themselves in new life and education environment. In the period of many novelties, the novice has to cope with, it is the studetn-tutor, who primarily helps with the relevant and adequate information and counseling in encountered problems. If the problems are complex and hard to overcome, it is the role of the student-totor, to find additional professional help.

2. Subject students' tutoring
Subject students' tutoring is intended for students as additional help in understanding and mastering of knowledge of individual study subjects. Such tutoring is usually organized in specifically difficult or large subjects as additional help in studying large quantities of materials, resulting in better examination results. The additional time gives the students oportunities to ask for addtional explanations in matters that might not have been understood. It is very often that the tutors counsel on better leraning methods or strategies in individual subjects.

3. Students' tutoring for students with special needs
Students' tutoring for students with special needs takes various forms, as are the obstacles and challenges encountered by individual students with special needs. The tutor's task is to direct such students towards strengthening  the potentials which enable the student to quickly and successfully work and study as well as interacts with other students. The tutor offers help particularly in those activities, where individual help is needed.

4. Students' tutoring for foreign students
Students' tutoring for foreign students is helping foreign students to overcome possible cultural differences and adopt to the new environment. The priorities of foreign students are primarily: residence, student ID, transport. Possible cultural differences (language, habits, personal attitudes) might well influence the study performance of a foreign student. The tutors help them with every day life challenges, to integrate in our environment, overcoming home-sickness and with various administrative procedures.