Student Success Programs

The Student Success Office provides a variety of programs to enhance student's learning to achieve educational success.  They include the following:

HRPO 1311: Human Relations

A great amount of research shows that first year students need a great deal of support in adjusting to college life.  The First Year College Success Course provides the student with a series of assessments that gives the student and his/her advisor a profile to help shape an educational plan for student success.  The course introduces the student to learning styles; orients the student to campus resources; provides interactive group discussions on learning issues; and equips the student with basic skills to be successful during the rest of his/her TSTC experience.

Click here to view Course Information Sheet

Fall 2010 New Student Survey

Mini-Sessions for Success

Each semester mini sessions on study skills, personal growth, and job exploration are held.  These sessions include:

• Learning styles applied to the classroom
• How to read a textbook
• Listening and note-taking in class
• Improving your writing skills
• Studying and test-taking techniques
• Using the library for research
• Resume writing
• Interview skills
• Stress management
• Money management
• How to pay for college
• Basic computer skills

These sessions are offered to all TSTC students each semester.

Tutoring

Tutoring is available each semester to help students improve their academic performance in the course in which they are being tutored.  Students can participate in the following tutoring programs:

• Open Lab Tutoring:  Available to students in all levels of mathematics, English, chemistry, biological sciences and computer literacy.
• The Five Week Review Program:  Students struggling in either math or English are identified and given a tutor.  These students must commit to at least two hours of tutoring per week until their grades improve.
• Supplemental Instruction (Group Tutoring):  Is made part of traditionally difficult courses.  Supplemental instruction tutors work closely with instructors and students to provide intensive small group instruction that supplements actual classroom material.
• Computer-based tutoring:  Available in English, math, biology and social sciences.  The computer-based tutoring utilizes software to help students practice English and math skills and review biology and social science materials.  The software is textbook compatible and provides students with practice/review test questions.

Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring Schedules

Disclaimer:  Because schedules are subject to change without notice, please contact the Student Success Office (956-364-4109) to get up-to-date schedules.

Mentoring

TSTC faculty and staff volunteer to mentor students for success in their program of study.  Any student can have a mentor.  The goal of the program is to provide students with a support person to encourage student persistence and success while at TSTC. For more information, click here.

Speaker Series

"Stories of Triumph; Voices of Hope" is a speaker series that introduces students to TSTC graduates, Valley community leaders, and cultural events to encourage and motivate students to set goals and strive to achieve them.

For further information call or email:

Norma Salazar
Student Success Office
Bio-Medical/Dental Building
D-121
Phone:  (956) 364-4557
Fax:  (956) 364-5114
norma.salazar@harlingen.tstc.edu