If not careful at any given moment, one can change from the confident college student to the sad, wide-eyed deer frozen in the surprise of oncoming headlights. As a chorus of despair starts questioning “WHY, LAWD,” frantic cramming begins, signaling the feeble attempts to catch up. Following the collective wails of the fallen is the immediate intricate reprogramming of thoughts attempting to comprehend this unfortunate state of affairs that has somehow managed to attack without warning. Many become preoccupied by wound licking and deep mourning. Meanwhile, rapidly approaching finals, once the celebration of semester's end, has transformed into the doom prophecy bearing down with hungry teeth seeking to devour vulnerable GPAs. Coping mechanisms range from consoling one another to racing to the friendly adviser with an excuse in hand while simultaneously praying it is not too late to withdraw from that “difficult class” taught by that “horrid professor who has it out for you." Most often, the truth is that the sting of a horrific midterm grade is directly attributed to simply being unprepared.
The great news is the “shoulda coulda woulda” mantra is no longer needed. Why? Because of the proven track record of Supplemental Instruction: the free GPA booster (aka S.I.). Statistics show that the S.I. program enhances reviewing, note-taking techniques, understanding of subject material, test preparation, writing those dreaded research papers, and grades!
Supplemental Instruction began in 1973. It was developed by Dr. Deanna Martin at the University of Missouri in Kansas City to help medical students improve retention and raise GPAs. S.I. has since spread to over 1,800 universities and colleges, as well as 27 different countries.
MEC offers the HIGHEST number of courses with S.I.! The S.I. program is spearheaded by the very talented and knowledgeable Oriel Straker. Supplemental Instruction at MEC is now a staple in REQUIRED courses that have a failing rate of 25 percent. In 2010-11, S.I. was implemented in seven sections of math courses. It grew from there. 31 S.I. incorporated courses helped 242 students in 2014, and 29 S.I. incorporated courses aided 248 students in 2015. Oriel Straker personally recruits students who have mastered these particular courses with high failure rates. She interviews and trains MEC students for S.I. leadership. She is to be congratulated for the success!
It works quite simply. The S.I. leader sits in on the class assigned and follows the lesson. Afterwards, the S.I. leader facilitates regular sessions in an assigned classroom. Students attending sessions clarify notes, discuss textbook readings, and solve problematic mathematical equations.
Data confirms that students who attend these sessions on a regular basis average one letter grade HIGHER than those who do not. The benefits of S.I. sessions include: an increase in academic motivation, confidence, and learning. Here are a few important statistics:
94.6 percent of the students reported that their S.I. leaders were well prepared and capable. 92.8 percent of the students said that these sessions helped with better understanding of the subject material. 80.5 percent of the students said that these sessions had an impact on study techniques and exam/test taking, as reported by S.I. coordinator Oriel Straker.
As an English 150 S.I. leader, I have witnessed firsthand the students' positive transformations. This is a result of regularly attending S.I. sessions. A lot of work is accomplished in a relaxed environment, and it is actually fun. So, please consider the S.I. program. Ask your adviser or friends if there is an S.I. session for any required subject you find difficult. Do not wait until you find yourself out there in the weeds; it is more advantageous to start before any trouble may arise. Medgar has many programs in place to assist its students, S.I. being one. Success is at hand. All you have to do is show up, and you will hit the ground running.
