Resources available for students during finals week
As this semester begins to wrap up, finals start to make their way to Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK). While this may be the part where panic and anxiety arise, there is no need for that as the Center for Student Success (CFSS) has you covered.
“The purpose of the CFSS is to guide students to be successful in their academic and in school in general,” senior and mentor at the CFSS Janie Villanueva said. “We provide [students] with the resources and tools they need to thrive during college.”
Located in Jernigan Library, Room 210, the CFSS offers resources such as tutoring, peer assisted learning (PAL), mentoring, professional advisors, the writing center and social work advocates.
While the last day of services is Thursday, Dec. 1, the tutors and mentors at the CFSS have been available for the Javelinas throughout the semester. Tutors and PALs are available to support students with problem solving, while the mentors direct students to resources, as well [as] networking and engagement opportunities. Mentors also assist students with career exploration and guide students through the registration process.
“It is important for students to use all their resources to help them on their journey to graduation,” Director of Academic Success Christina Rodriguez-Gonzalez said. “College comes with its challenges, but it is really up to the student to use their resources that are available to them. From tutoring, mentoring success coaching, [the] CFSS has an abundance of services to support Javelinas.”
The Pathway Academic Assistance Center (PAAC) that falls under the CFSS can help students with subjects like Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, History, Kinesiology, Math, Physics and Vet Tech. Sometimes, students can also come in for other coursework and the tutors will try to help to their best ability.
“Our students are highly trained to tutor students in such a way that they learn how to find answers themselves,” Associate Vice President for the CFSS Dr. Shannon Baker said. “In fact, our tutoring center has the highest level of accreditation offered by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA).”
All the Success Partners (tutors, PALs, Mentors and receptionists) participate in an extensive online and in person professional development curriculum that is worth about 30 hours per semester. They learn about topics like basic department and university policies and procedures, effective communication, collaboration, learning styles and ethics. Then, observations are conducted to evaluate the Success Partners on their ability to incorporate their skills in their sessions with other students.
If TAMUK students need scantrons, blue books or any testing materials they may need to purchase, the CFSS provides it for free. The CFSS also has stress relief games that students may find helpful, and they have mentors available to talk to students if they need advice on anything. There is also a study area available for them to use and a printer they can utilize for free.
The PAAC is at its busiest during finals. Tutors are usually booked all throughout the week before finals and days before the semester ends. Because tutors are also students, the PAAC closes before the semester ends. It is important for students to seek assistance before the CFSS closes. The last day of tutoring is Dec. 1, also known as Dead Day.
To make a tutoring appointment, students can go to the PAAC website at www.tamuk.edu/studentsucess/PAAC/. For more information, students can stop by the CFSS or contact them at (361) 593-3290 or at StudentSuccessSupport@tamuk.edu.
“No matter what, PERSIST! Life and college can be hard and sometimes it feels like when it rains, it pours; but no Javelina is alone,” Rodriguez-Gonzalez said. “Between all our services or even myself, we are here to help all Javelinas to reach their graduation.”
