Structured Study Sessions, led by a Peer Mentor trained in the theory of Supplemental Instruction (SI), provide students with a chance to review, practice, and share their understanding of course material with their peers in a collaborative group setting.

What happens in Structured Study Sessions?

During weekly study sessions, Study Session Coaches (trained Peer Mentors) will help students identify the important concepts covered during lectures, work through exercises and sample problems, and coordinate a mock mid-term exam. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions and share problems, working collectively as a group to arrive at solutions to problems and direct the learning.

In many respects, structured study sessions are like informal study groups that naturally form and meet periodically throughout a term to work on assignments and study for exams. The main difference is that Structured Study Sessions take place on a regular weekly basis beginning at the start of the term and have guidance from a student Peer Mentor (an academically successful student with some effective learning strategies). Study sessions will not be used to teach new material or to provide subject-specific tutoring for individual students.

Who leads the Study Sessions?

Structured Study Sessions are led by students who have already successfully completed the class, have received training in the theory of Supplemental Instruction and Study Skills, and are familiar with student resources and services at the U of S. Study Session PALs attend class lectures once again with students registered in the class (..not for credit this time!) in order to become familiar with the course content and facilitate weekly study sessions.

Study Session PALs are senior students with effective study and learning skills and a passion for teaching and learning, acting as a guide in study sessions where a collaborative approach to learning is taken and are not tutors or instructors. They do not teach or provide individual subject-specific tutoring to students.

What is the role of the instructor in this program?

Please read on: Structured Study Sessions - The Role of the Instructor.

When and where will Structured Study Sessions take place?

Each term a new set of offerings will be made.  Details about the sessions, including schedule of sessions and location, will be provided on the SSS webpage.