Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a free, peer-facilitated academic assistance program designed to help students succeed in traditionally difficult courses. SI sessions are regularly scheduled, informal review sessions that involve collaborative learning activities through which students can clarify course concepts and practice the types of study strategies that will help them master the information and skills required by the target course. The sessions are facilitated by SI leaders—students who have previously done well in the course and who attend all class lectures, take notes, and work closely with faculty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SI?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students taking historically difficult courses. SI is provided for all students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades.
Attendance at sessions is voluntary. For you, the student, it’s a chance to get together with people in your class to compare notes, to discuss important concepts, to develop strategies for studying the subject, and to test yourselves before your professor does, so that when he/she does, you’ll be ready. At each session you will be guided through this material by your SI leader, a competent student who has previously taken the course.
How is SI different from tutoring?
SI and Tutoring are both academic assistance programs offered by Rutgers University-Camden, but in different ways:
- Tutoring is a free one-on-one peer-facilitated academic support program offered in a wide range of undergraduate courses, and focuses on areas in which students most often experience difficulty, including introductory-level through senior-level courses via an appointment.
- SI is a free peer-facilitated academic assistance program designed to help students succeed in traditionally difficult courses. SI sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions that involve collaborative learning activities through which students can clarify course concepts and practice different types of study strategies that will help them truly master the information and skills required by the target course.
What’s a SI leader?
SI leaders are current students who are prepared to share with you what they have learned over the years about how to study. They know the course content and are excited to help guide you through it. They’ll be in class with you every day, hearing what you hear and reading what you read. What they won’t do is lecture; their job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the books you read, and then put it all together during the SI review sessions. SI can help you learn course material more efficiently.
When do SI review sessions start?
The first week of classes each semester! Each SI leader will set up two review sessions each week at times that are best for the majority of students taking the class. You can attend one or all sessions (the choice is yours), and each one will be different because you’ll have new material to discuss. SI review sessions are informal. Bring your notes; bring your textbook; bring your questions.
What are the benefits?
If you attend SI sessions regularly, chances are you’ll earn a better grade. You’ll have developed a better understanding of course content as well as more effective ways of studying. This will help you in other classes also.
This sounds great! How do I make an appointment?
All SI Sessions are on a voluntary basis. No appointments are needed! Please look at the SI Course Schedule and come to any session that fits your schedule.
What courses are offered with SI?
Check back closer to the start of the semester.