Throughout the season, USCRipsIt will be taking you into the off-the-field life of a player, showing you what goes on behind the scenes through "Inside the Life." In this weekly series written by staff writer Courtney Kalisz, we'll bring you into the daily life of a player and reveal the details that fill a student-athlete's schedule while off the field. Here's a feature about the tutoring requirements for USC's student-athletes:
With all of the commitments that come with being a student-athlete at USC -- from class to practice to conditioning -- it can be hard to imagine that Trojan football players even have time to eat or sleep.
However, Trojans find the time to do not only those activities, but also to invest upwards of ten hours per week into tutoring. The USC athletic department places a lot of emphasis on academic success as well as athletic success. When it comes to school, athletes and advisement staff strive not only for the athletes to be eligible, but also to go above and beyond, striving to meet the highest possible potential.
Athletes meet with their academic advisors on a regular basis, discussing their classes and course load. The advisors assess the situation and then develop a tutoring schedule based on the athlete's need and availability during the week. The schedule consists of assigned times for either intensive tutoring on course material, or structure study time, which is supervised by a member of the tutorial staff.
The tutoring sessions are crucial to the success of the student athlete. They ensure the comprehension and retention of critical class material. Tutors are dedicated to the athlete's understanding of the material. The sessions are generally an hour. Tutors are highly qualified and provide a wide base of knowledge in the subjects that they tutor for. Athletes may bring in lectures, textbooks, or worksheets to go over with the tutor. The tutor addresses any questions that the athlete may have. They also can offer studying tips, course insight and even proofreading work. Working in conjunction with S.A.A.S. staff members, Tutors play the role of an academic support system for the athletes. They make sure that the athletes are up to date with their work and help them prepare for tests.
Structured study time is also critical to the athlete's success in the classroom. It provides a time for the athletes to commit to studying, homework or projects. Because the athletes already have very limited free time, it is often hard for them to assign time to their work. The structured study time is allotted for that purpose. This is a good time for athletes to get ahead in their courses, study, read their textbooks or just work ahead in their assignments. This program allows athletes to be not only up to date in their classes, but well ahead in their work.
As a motivational tool, the S.A.A.S. staff has created a point system. Positive points are awarded to those athletes who diligently attend tutorial sessions and have a positive attitude. Points are deducted for missing tutorial, or not being productive, but those situations are very rare. The points are taken into consideration when the staff is selecting "student-athletes of the month."
The academic success of the USC football team and other USC athletics is a testament to the effectiveness of S.A.A.S, the tutorial staff and the outstanding work ethic of the student-athletes.
- By Courtney Kalisz, USCRipsIt staff writer
With all of the commitments that come with being a student-athlete at USC -- from class to practice to conditioning -- it can be hard to imagine that Trojan football players even have time to eat or sleep.
However, Trojans find the time to do not only those activities, but also to invest upwards of ten hours per week into tutoring. The USC athletic department places a lot of emphasis on academic success as well as athletic success. When it comes to school, athletes and advisement staff strive not only for the athletes to be eligible, but also to go above and beyond, striving to meet the highest possible potential.
Athletes meet with their academic advisors on a regular basis, discussing their classes and course load. The advisors assess the situation and then develop a tutoring schedule based on the athlete's need and availability during the week. The schedule consists of assigned times for either intensive tutoring on course material, or structure study time, which is supervised by a member of the tutorial staff.
The tutoring sessions are crucial to the success of the student athlete. They ensure the comprehension and retention of critical class material. Tutors are dedicated to the athlete's understanding of the material. The sessions are generally an hour. Tutors are highly qualified and provide a wide base of knowledge in the subjects that they tutor for. Athletes may bring in lectures, textbooks, or worksheets to go over with the tutor. The tutor addresses any questions that the athlete may have. They also can offer studying tips, course insight and even proofreading work. Working in conjunction with S.A.A.S. staff members, Tutors play the role of an academic support system for the athletes. They make sure that the athletes are up to date with their work and help them prepare for tests.
Structured study time is also critical to the athlete's success in the classroom. It provides a time for the athletes to commit to studying, homework or projects. Because the athletes already have very limited free time, it is often hard for them to assign time to their work. The structured study time is allotted for that purpose. This is a good time for athletes to get ahead in their courses, study, read their textbooks or just work ahead in their assignments. This program allows athletes to be not only up to date in their classes, but well ahead in their work.
As a motivational tool, the S.A.A.S. staff has created a point system. Positive points are awarded to those athletes who diligently attend tutorial sessions and have a positive attitude. Points are deducted for missing tutorial, or not being productive, but those situations are very rare. The points are taken into consideration when the staff is selecting "student-athletes of the month."
The academic success of the USC football team and other USC athletics is a testament to the effectiveness of S.A.A.S, the tutorial staff and the outstanding work ethic of the student-athletes.
- By Courtney Kalisz, USCRipsIt staff writer
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