Supplemental Instruction
MRCN 122
(956) 882-7059
Supplemental Instruction (SI) offers weekly review sessions for students enrolled in historically difficult courses. These sessions, facilitated by trained SI Leaders, are opportunities for you to get together with students in your class to organize your material, compare notes, discuss important concepts, develop strategies for studying the subject, and be well prepared for taking your tests and exams.
Check the SI Schedule to find out which classes have SI.
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..............Watch a video about SI!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is an SI Leader?
How does it work?
Why should I participate?
How will I know if SI is offered in my class?
When do sessions start?
What is an SI Leader?
Have you ever wished you could do something over, knowing what you know now? That’s impossible, but you can come close in SI.
SI Leaders are selected from students who have previously taken the course and done well. They know the course content and are anxious to help guide you through it while sharing what they have learned about how to study. They’ll be in class with you every day, hearing what you hear and reading what you read. What they won’t do is lecture; their job is to help you think about the lectures you hear and the books you read, and then put it all together into some kind of perspective during SI review sessions so you can learn it more efficiently.
How does it work?
At each session you will be guided through course concepts by your SI Leader, a competent student who has been trained in group facilitation techniques. Rather than re-lecture or do “last minute” cramming for a test or exam, your leader will help you make good use of your study time by sharing the strategies he/she used to be successful in the course.
Since you have to study anyway, you might as well do it with friends so that you can share your knowledge and figure things out together, right? An SI session is a place where you can comfortably voice your questions and concerns and get answers.
If you attend SI sessions regularly, chances are you'll earn a better grade. Research shows that students who attend SI sessions regularly average one half to one full letter grade higher than their classmates who choose not to attend, so attending SI could mean the difference between failing and passing. SI targets difficult courses to help give everyone enrolled in that course a chance to be better prepared throughout the semester. The graph on the right shows comparison data for UTB/TSC SI and non-SI participants in spring 2007. |
Academic Performance of SI and Non-SI Participants 
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In addition to helping you get a better grade, the skills you develop in SI provide a ‘competitive edge’ for future classes. The review methods and study strategies you learn while attending SI are fully transferable to other classes. SI also helps you to develop coping skills to adjust to university life. Hopefully, you'll also make a few new friends who will probably be in some of your future classes!
How will I know if SI is offered in my class?
On the first class day, SI Leaders introduce themselves and briefly describe the program, but even if your class doesn’t have an assigned SI Leader, you are welcome to attend SI sessions for the same course offered through a different class. To find out which courses are assigned SI Leaders, visit SI Schedule or call the SI Coordinator at 882-7059 for the most up-to-date information.
When do sessions start?
SI sessions start the first or second week of classes. The only thing the SI Leader is waiting for is knowing when you’re available.
On the first day of class, your SI Leader will make an announcement about SI and ask you to fill out a survey for your schedule. The SI Leader will use the results to set up three or more review sessions a week at times that are best for the majority of the class. You can attend one, two, or all three sessions. And each one will be different because you'll have new material to discuss.
Remember, the secret of success is to study proactively! Don't wait until the night before the test!! Since you have to study anyway, why not come to SI and make efficient use of your study time? Your SI Leader will keep you informed about the times and locations for sessions.