I am not in the least bit ashamed to admit I suck at this whole academics deal. Scratch that, I suck at the whole test taking crap. Scratch that, I suck at the part where you actually have to remember what you learned in lecture and then regurgitate it. Erase, erase, erase… Shit, what was I just saying?
Oh yeah, you know that stuff professors mention as ""noteworthy,"" and then two minutes after the cumulative test you don't know and more importantly don't care what you just studied? Yup, that stuff. I am talking about all the ""easy A"" classes, the GPA boosters, the classes in which you don't even have to attend to get a decent grade. They are anything but GPA boosters for me… More like GPA ruiners!
Thing is, I actually go to those ""easy"" classes, I rarely miss a lecture. I do the whole note cards gig, I memorize and triple-highlight my notebook in multiple colors DAYS before the test, and you know what? I still end up bombing the exams. And no, it doesn't hurt my ego to admit this. Weather and Climate, anyone? NutriSci? ""Rocks for Jocks""? C'mon, I can't be the only one bankin' on the curve here.
What I am trying to say is I need major help. (Ironically enough, I don't need help in the classes for my major. Psh, I actually set the curve in my journalism classes.) What I REALLY need is a tutor.
I am looking for an intelligent, wise and talented young individual available after 5 p.m. weekdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Previous tutoring experience is a plus. Individual must be a UW student living on campus.
In other words, no creepy old men or overly perfumed old maids. That said, acceptable meeting places are…public places. Preferably you are taking or have taken the following courses: EnviSci 127, ComArts 361 and Botany 260.
Now, a little about me, your potential subject. I am a junior majoring in journalism and need help with the last of my ""general classes."" I am a really good student, honestly. I rarely miss lecture. I am over-zealous and take pages of notes, I do all the readings, even the ""suggested"" ones. I ask questions in class and go to the TA's office hours.
Some would even go so far as to call me an overachiever. I prefer to make study guides, note cards and do practice tests before taking the exam. I often feel as though I am very prepared walking into exams, and then feel the opposite walking out of them. I do well on short answer and essay tests, and fail miserably on multiple-choice Scantron tests. I used to blame the professors for my lack of ability when it comes to test taking, but now I really only blame myself and the ""easy"" classes of UW-Madison.
What I am not looking for in a tutor: the kid who thinks everyone is dumb, gets all A's and is only using tutoring as a way to boost his ego and his résumé. Another thing—I am not looking for the guy who tutors to try and get laid. One more requirement, I am looking for someone who speaks my language. In other words, Shakespearean scholars need not apply.
