Learning Consultations
The Learning Center provides free, individual learning consultations for currently-enrolled
University of Utah students. During learning consultations, students work with the
facilitator to create a plan for academic success skill development. Topics often
include time management, procrastination, note-taking, effective studying, test anxiety,
and critical thinking but can cover any academic success skills a student is looking
to improve.
How to Schedule FAQ Meeting Structure Follow-Up Schedule
How to Schedule
If you are an undergraduate student, you can schedule a learning consultation through Navigate.
Schedule an appointment here. Watch a tutorial on how to schedule a learning consultation on our Instagram.
If you are a graduate student, please request a learning consultation by calling 801-581-5153. Our scheduling system, Navigate, only allows undergraduate students to schedule appointments, but our team can schedule an appointment for grdaute students who reach out.
FAQ
Learning consultations are 30-minute, individual meetings to create a plan to develop academic success skills. Topics often include time management, procrastination, note-taking, effective studying, test anxiety, and critical thinking.
Learning consultations are individualized for each student. The learning consultation facilitator will spend time getting to know each student and their unique experience before working through strategies, resources, and suggestions.
There is no limit to how many learning consultations you can have. We recommend coming early in the semester to get a strong start and coming periodically throughout the semester to ensure continual progress and adaptation of acacdemic success goals. Academic support services can have a greater impact on students when there is ongoing support.
Learning consultations are hosted by two full-time team members:
- Taylor Johnson, Supplemental Instruction Coordinator
- Theresa Hyland, Tutor Coordinator
Learn more about Taylor and Theresa by visiting our About page.
Learning consultations can either take place in-person or virtually depending on facilitator availability and student preference.
- In-person learning consultations are scheduled in Marriott Library 1705. You will meet your facilitator at their cubicle in 1705, and they will take you to a conference room.
- Virtual learning consultations take place via Zoom. A link will be sent to you when your appointment is scheduled in Navigate.
If you are an undergraduate student, you can schedule a learning consultation through Navigate. Schedule an appointment here.
If you are a graduate student, please request a learning consultation by calling 801-581-5153. Our scheduling system, Navigate, only allows undergraduate students to schedule appointments, but our team can schedule an appointment for grdaute students who reach out.
Learning consultations are focused on developing academic success skills to succeed in your college career. They do not cover course content, rather they focus on topics like time management, study strategies, note-taking strategies, test-taking strategies, etc. Additionally, learning consultations are facilitated by full-time team members of the Learning Center.
Tutoring is course specific and focuses on deepening your understanding of content. Tutoring is facilitated by peer educators who have been trained through the College Reading and Learning Association's tutor standards.
Learning consultations are solely focused on academic success skills.
Student Success Coaches (SSC) help students in various aspects of their life by assisting students in developing goals and creating plans to accomplish them. Student Success Coaches work with students in the following areas:
- Academics
- School Community
- Commitment to Completion
- Career
- Managing Commitments
- Finances
- Health & Support
- Effectiveness
Student Success Coaches and the Learning Center work closely to holistically support University of Utah students. We will often refer students between students based on specific needs.
Learning consultations are solely focused on academic success skills.
If you are looking for counseling, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Learning consultations are a great place to get additional strategies and resources for academic success, but we are not able to give accommodations.
Students looking for accommodations should visit the Center for Disability and Access.
Meeting Structure
Learning consultations follow InsideTrack's coaching model which contains four components: frame, assess, discuss, and summarize.
- Frame: The learning consultations begins with a clear purpose for the meeting. The facilitator will introduce themself, give context to the learning consultation, and talk about what the student can expect from their time together.
- Assess: The facilitator actively listens to the student's situation to identify potential areas to focus on for the session. The facilitator will ask questions to gain a better understanding of the student's situation, strategies they have already tried or currently use, and the student's goals.
- Discuss: Once the student has shared their goal(s) and experience, the facilitator will recommend strategies and resources that can meet the student's needs. The facilitator and the student will work together to identify ways these strategies and resources can be implemented into the student's academic career and personal life. The facilitator will assist the student in developing a plan with specific and measurable goals.
- Summarize: To end the learning consultation, the facilitator and student will summarize the discussion and plan. This time will be spent building motivation to encourage the student to stay on track with their goals.
Follow-Up Schedule
Academic support services can have a greater impact on students when there is ongoing support. The learning consultation follow-up procedure is intended to allow facilitators to check for student understanding, gauge student progress, and offer continued support while encouraging recurring appointments.
- Initial Follow-Up Outreach: A follow-up email will be sent to students within one business day of their learning consultation. This email will include a meeting summary and resources discussed during the meeting.
- One Week Follow-Up Outreach: A second follow-up email will be sent within one week of the learning consultation. This email provides students an opportunity to reflect on the progress they have made towards goals set in the learning consultation and encourage them to schedule a follow-up learning consultation.