Supplemental Instruction at The University of Texas at Tyler is...

       Supplemental Instruction is awesome! Basically, SI is a weekly study session taught by another student for certain, more difficult, classes. The study sessions are taught by students who have previously taken that course, and made a very good grade.
       Last semester none of my classes had a SI leader, but this semester I'm taking history! So I can go to the SI session now if I need help studying anything before tests! Not only can you study for tests, but you can also compare notes with other students, and get a better understanding of what your class is learning!
       Your SI leader, like I said before, is a student who has already taken the class, so they know what to expect out of the class. Also, they regularly sit during your class so that they can see how your professor is teaching!! If you go to your sessions regularly, you have a better chance at making a good grade than people who don't go!
       Last night, I went to my first SI session ever. I went because they were going to be talking about the test that we had today. When I went, I found a lot of resources that I could use to help study for this test! We had everything from a study guide to a practice test available! Honestly, I believe that had I not gone to this session, I would have not even known what to study for. I usually have a difficult time studying, but I have learned a few study tips just by going to SI!
       SI sessions are held every week, and the leader will set up the session according to which times are best for the students. The sessions are very casual! I definitely recommend that you go if there is a session available for your class!!

       Have any of you guys ever gone to SI before? What was your experience like? Leave us a comment below! :)

The Power of Supplemental Instruction

I owe a lot of my A's on exams to S.I. sessions. I don't know about anyone else but S.I. is seriously my academic hero.

Supplemental Instruction is basically a study session lead by fellow UT Tyler students (most of them upperclassmen). The best part? You don't have to pay for it directly, because it's already including in our tuition! Even more reasons to take advantage of it.

S.I. sessions are held twice a week for every class that has S.I. Unfortunately, not every class at UT Tyler come with S.I. but that would be really really great! Go here for a list of classes that have S.I. sessions.

Personally, S.I. sessions help me a lot because the S.I. leaders would go through anything that you might need help in. Also, we go over a lot of problems that we don't normally have time for in class, because lectures mostly focus on theory and concept. This way, I am pretty much prepared for the exam because I not only understand the material, I also know how to answer exam questions.

I remember freshman year, for my first ever Calculus exam, I was very distraught because I got a D. I decided to get some help and attended all of the S.I. session and believe it or not, my next Calculus exam was an A! 

So even though I am pretty swamped and busy this semester, I always, always find time to go to at least one S.I. session a week.

There's no harm in trying, so if you find yourself struggling with a class, plan to attend an S.I. session (if it has one). It may or may not be for everyone but you don't really lose anything by giving it a shot! :)

The SI website has a daily calendar that's very useful with planning your time, if you ever want to go. They also update it everyday, in case any sessions get cancelled!