Supporting the students’ academic journey!
SorSU Learning Development Center (LDC) plays a crucial role in supporting the students’ academic journey. It provides essential academic support, including help with writing, study skills, and subject-specific tutoring. This is particularly beneficial for students who struggle with certain subjects or need extra help to excel. This center offers workshops and resources to help students develop important skills such as time management, critical thinking, and effective communications. It also offers group and one-on-one tutoring and personalized learning plans, ensuring that each student receives the support they need based on their individual learning styles and needs.
            LDC is committed to provide support for all students, including those with disabilities or specific learning needs. This ensures that every student has the opportunity to succeed academically. For new students, LDC provides orientation programs and resources to help them adjust to the academic demands. This includes academic writing, study skills, talent enhancement, and mental health support. By participating in SorSU LDC, students can connect with peers, build a sense of community and find support networks that are highly invaluable throughout their academic career.
Objectives
1
Provide resources and workshops to help students improve their study habits, time management, and academic writing skills.
2
Develop programs and initiatives that support diverse learning styles and needs, ensuring that every student can access and benefit from educational resources.
3
Offer counseling and mentorship programs to help students develop personally and professionally, fostering resilience and self-confidence.
4
Create opportunities for peer tutoring and study groups, encouraging collaborative learning and mutual support among students.
5
Utilize the latest educational technologies to enhance learning experiences and make resources more accessible to everyone.
6
Instill a love for learning by providing workshops and seminars on a variety of topics, encouraging students to pursue knowledge beyond their core curriculum.
SorSU LDC already has several activities conducted internally (e.g. students peer tutoring and skills training) and externally (partnership and collaborations with other government and non-government organizations to help other students).
Campus LDC activities
Some of these activities are the regular peer tutoring and peer arts activities conducted by organizations in the
College of Education and College of Engineering and Architecture, respectively. (see Figures 1-3).
1. SorSU LDC Peer Tutoring Sessions
Peer tutoring is a collaborative learning strategy where engineering students and education students help each other understand and master academic content in Mathematics and English, respectively. This approach not only enhances the learning experience but also fosters a supportive and engaging educational environment. This peer-to-peer interaction creates a comfortable space where students feel free to ask questions without the fear of judgment.
The benefits of peer tutoring extend beyond academic improvement. For the tutees, it provides personalized attention and tailored instruction that might not always be possible in a crowded classroom. This small group setting allows for immediate feedback and clarification of doubts, leading to a better and deeper understanding of the subject matter. Moreover, peer tutoring helps build essential soft skills. Tutees develop better communication skills as they articulate their questions and thoughts. They also learn to collaborate effectively, fostering a sense of community and mutual respect. For the student-tutors, their experiences enhance their knowledge and leadership and teaching skills and abilities. In addition, peer tutoring significantly boosts students’ self-esteem and motivation. Seeing a peer succeed through their guidance is incredibly rewarding for the tutor, while the tutee gains confidence from mastering challenging material.
Overall, peer tutoring is a powerful educational tool that benefits both tutors and tutees. It promotes academic success, personal growth, and a supportive learning environment, making it a valuable addition to SorSU as an educational institution.
Further, they also have sessions that introduce the various literary devices and techniques to their tutees, making the analysis of texts more accessible and engaging. They read and discuss short stories and poems, with the tutors encouraging their tutees to express their interpretations and insights. The interactive approach helps the struggling students develop a deeper appreciation for literature and enhances their analytical abilities.
In general, the peer tutoring sessions also fosters a sense of camaraderie within the school. Students learn to support each other, creating a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. The sessions encourage mutual respect and empathy, as students recognize the value of being helped. In essence, English peer torturing sessions not only enhance academic performance but also cultivate essential life skills among students. They transform the learning experience into a collaborative journey, where both tutors and tutees grow and thrive together.
The benefits of these student-led sessions are manifold. For these students, the personalized attention and supportive environment foster a sense of belonging and self-assurance. The collaborative nature of the sessions allows students to share ideas, learn from each other, and celebrate their progress together. In summary, these student-led art activity sessions not only enhance artistic skills but also transform the learning experience into a collaborative and inspiring journey, where both tutors and participants grow together.
2. SorSU External Collaborations and Partnerships with other agencies
Sorsogon State University Learning Development Center works with other departments, institutions, or organizations to enhance the services and resources available in the Center. Among these are the following: academic writing support and assistance, tutoring or mentoring programmes, skills development resources, webinars, tutorials and workshops.