Who is the tutor
The innovative approach proposed by the University of Padua centers on peer-to-peer tutoring, where direct assistance is provided by more senior colleagues or PhD students, helping others integrate effectively into the mechanisms and mindset of university study.
Junior tutors are students in the final years of their master's degree programs or PhD and specialization candidates, who have distinguished academic careers. Their role is to provide information and resolve doubts and issues that students encounter in their university life, assisting them with organizational and educational challenges (study plans, exam prerequisites, interactions with academic bodies, the administration office, etc.).
The tutoring service not only offers informative and educational support to students but also fosters new synergies, enabling a conscious ongoing guidance. This guidance is part of a broader range of services supporting students from the moment they express interest in enrolling at the university to the time they, as graduates, become productive themselves. This new project aims, through an integrated and participative vision, to enhance academic results and the well-being of students.
Objectives
From an operational perspective, tutors work to:
- Provide useful information and advice for studying;
- Develop tools to address gaps in learning, particularly in foundational knowledge and skills;
- Encourage student awareness in the formulation of an overall study plan;
- Enhance the use of tools necessary to prepare a work plan and to identify an appropriate method for tackling study and exams;
- Assist students in choosing the disciplinary area and supervisor for developing their thesis;
Offer guidance support in identifying pathways for transitioning into the professional world.
Many of the objectives listed above are crucial, given that the transition from secondary school to university is one of the most delicate phases in a student's educational career. If not properly managed, this transitional phase can lead to discomfort, adaptation difficulties, and therefore, an increased likelihood of academic failure, resulting in frustration and a tendency to drop out.
Functions of the Tutor
The tutor acts as a mediator between students and the "university system," carrying out consultancy activities, gathering information about degree courses, and activating networking among various services (such as student administration, academic services, internships, the job market, Erasmus, etc.). The tutor collaborates on introductory and exit orientation initiatives (such as open days, and presentations of educational offerings). Tutors can monitor specific requests related to teaching, logistics, orientation, information, and communication issues to report them to the appropriate academic offices.
As a facilitator of communication and learning, the tutor organizes individual and/or small group listening sessions and addresses academic issues related to delays in students' study progress. Academic tutoring involves the tutor (often a PhD student) in organizing study groups and supplementary educational activities, particularly concerning critical exams, and providing support in educational laboratories.
Supporting students right from the start in practical organization and in acquiring an effective study method through achieving specific educational objectives鈥攖his is the mission of the tutor!
