Study Group Leader Training

1. BECOMING AN ACADEMIC MENTOR
(OR TRAINING TO BE A STUDY GROUP LEADER)
Holly A. T. Potter
Tutor Clearinghouse Coordinator
Academic Skills Center
Dartmouth College

2. STUDY GROUPS BY THE NUMBERS: 2011-2012
11F 12W 12S
Groups 57 53 66
Courses 21 19 27
Participants 339 301 221
Leaders 27 44 59

3. STUDENT EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS
 Forms to be completed and turned in to Payroll:
 I9 (evidence of your ability to work in the US)
 W4 (tax withdrawals)
 Consult with parent/guardian
 If not turned in, tax deductions revert to default
NOTE: This must be done within the next three days!!
** Consult the List of Acceptable Documents for
I9 form identification (listed on page 5 of I9)

4. Helpful links
Student employment forms
Payroll authorization
information

5. WHY STUDENTS JOIN STUDY GROUPS
 Desire to be accountable/responsible (i.e. get better
grades)
 Unfamiliar skill area
 Lack of confidence
 Uncomfortable “fit” with professor’s style

6. LEADER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
ATTEND WEEKLY SESSIONS PREPARED TO…
 Review course outlines/objectives
 Help students learn how to approach material
 Test understanding by asking & answering questions
 Help students identify & understand basic concepts
 Help students use and understand textbook
 Identify/explain key concepts and vocabulary
 Share study strategies that have worked for you!

7. LEADER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
OUTSIDE OF STUDY GROUP…
 Meet with the professor at the beginning of the term,
and as necessary to keep up as the term goes on.
 Submit attendance information from each study group
session by visiting studygroups.dartmouth.edu
 Leaders who do not keep attendance records may not be
asked to lead again
 Post a weekly study group synopsis on Blackboard
 This allows professors to see what material their students
might be struggling with so that they can improve their
teaching.
 Turn in timesheets every other week, according to this
schedule.

8. FIRST NIGHT GROUND RULES
 Decide as group: why are we doing this?
 Set mutual goals
 Decide how homework assignments will be handled
 Tutor/Leader: how available will you be?
 Communication
 Review syllabus
 End of meeting: summary and goals
 Post synopsis of study group meeting on blackboard

9. CODE OF ETHICS
 Stay out of negative conversations about professors.
 In this job, you’re a teacher, not a peer.
 You must maintain the confidentiality of the students in
your study group.
 Some Dartmouth students have major reservations about
seeking any kind of academic support, so it’s important to
be sensitive.
 If unable to resolve a situation, contact Holly Potter
sooner rather than later…
 We’re here to support you!!

10. WHAT IFS…
 What if nobody shows up?
 Wait 15 minutes. If no one is there, you can leave and
submit a timesheet reflecting the time you spent waiting.
 What if the group wants me to help them cheat?
 Study groups are not answer sessions, and students who feel
that your job is to complete their work should be directed to
speak with Holly Potter. Otherwise, your job and your
academic integrity are on the line.
 What if I want to schedule an extra session before
midterms or finals?
 Awesome! Check in with us beforehand to make sure it’s okay,
and be aware that you can’t be paid for more than 2 hours in a
single review session.

11. RESOURCES
 Faculty (course content)
 Academic Skills Center
 Student Accessibility Services
 Deans
 Counseling
 Undergraduate Judicial Affairs
 Library