Exam Jam will allow students to cram alongside tutors
By Patrick Vaillancourt, News Editor
Tutors and staff at the Douglas College Learning Centre are revving up their services as they prepare to host their first-ever Exam Jam at the end of the current semester.
The Learning Centre, both at the New Westminster and David Lam campuses, will be hosting two-hour long sessions beginning on December 4. Exam Jam sessions will include tutors in various fields of study, including psychology, economics, biology, and accounting. Although the sessions will not cover all available subject areas taught at Douglas College, services at the Learning Centre are available to all students, and appointments can be made online.
Organizers of the Exam Jam will be setting up information booths in the concourse at both campuses during event dates to make students aware of the services being provided.
Samantha Berbeck, the services coordinator at the Douglas College Learning Centre, says that while the Learning Centre is a popular service offered to students, there was definitely a need to ramp up during the exam period.
“Exam time can be stressful and we would love to make it a little bit easier, and maybe even a little fun,” says Berbeck.
When asked why it’s important to host an Exam Jam, Berbeck touted the benefits of the tutoring services available to students.
“Students who use the Learning Centre keep coming back for a reason,” says Berbeck. “Our tutors are students themselves, and love imparting their wisdom and study tips to their students.”
While not all courses are covered in the comprehensive sessions offered during this exam period, the Learning Centre is a place for all students to learn study strategies, tips, and even utilize a quiet space to cram.
“Students can also drop by the Learning Centre for 25-minute tutoring sessions, study space, and to collect study skills handouts,” says Berbeck.
The Learning Centre will also be promoting its Twitter contest throughout the exam period. Students who follow the Learning Centre (@dclearningctr) between December 4 to December 10 will be entered into a draw to win the first pick of weekly tutoring sessions during the Winter 2014 semester.
Exam Jams are a relatively new concept and have taken off in recent years. Most major research universities in Canada and many in the United States have these types of events for their students to help them navigate through exam periods successfully. This is the first time such an event is being facilitated by the Learning Centre at Douglas College.
For more information on the Douglas College Learning Centre or to book an appointment online, students are encouraged to visit their website at www.douglas.bc.ca/services/learning-centre/tutoring.html
