In an effort to give local high school students access to help with homework, assignments and exam prep, the Univeristy Prep Centre (UPC) has made its space available twice a week for students to meet with volunteer tutors in what has been dubbed “The Village”—because it takes a village to raise a child.
The Village, also known as the Homework Club, is the brainchild of Jane Horton, chair of University and Employment Preparation (UEPrep) at TRU and Allison Badger, district coordinator, secondary school completion at School District 73, in response to the notion that many high school students could benefit from a place to gather, study and receive help from experienced tutors.
“It seemed unfair that not all students have the same level of access to help with homework,” said Horton. “This gives any student that wants it, a place to study and get help with homework twice a week.”
The club is a volunteer initiative and tutors are community members ranging in experience and expertise. They donate their time to help students with homework and test prep.
“I’m having a hard time in pre-calculus and the final exam is coming up,” said Olivia Cook, a Grade 11 student at Beattie School of the Arts. “My goal is to prepare for the final exam and hopefully do really well so that I can improve my overall grade in the class. I hope to apply to the TRU nursing program.”
The Village has been running for two weeks and has seen a steady increase of students from Westsyde, NorKam and Beattie School of the Arts.
With an increase in students, there is also an increased demand for volunteer tutors.
“It would be a great opportunity for instructors and chairs from other areas to come meet prospective students. Many of the students have fuzzy career goals but they do not all realize what is necessary to get into certain programs at TRU,” said Horton.
The program runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. in the UPC, Old Main 2551.
More information
Jane Horton
Thompson Rivers University
Chair, University and Employment Prep
250-828-5261
jhorton@tru.ca
