Resources and Support

The Academic Advising Resource Center (AARC) offers a range of services and resources to assist students in their academic endeavors at Oberlin. Our staff and your academic advisors will guide you in such areas as course selections and scheduling, academic and degree planning, registration, and more. 

Learn more about the AARC

The Center for Student Success (CSS) provides comprehensive, holistic services that help supplement the academic experience. CSS helps students maximize their learning opportunities through workshops, co-curricular credit-bearing courses, social events, and leadership programs, and provides support and programming for first-generation and income-eligible students.

Explore the Center for Student Success

The Office for Disability and Access actively works with roughly 25 percent of Oberlin’s student population, offering accommodations and tools for self-advocacy.

Explore Disability and Access Resources

The Learning Enhancement Across the Disciplines (LEAD) Program offers a holistic approach to student success. Take a LEAD course on learning and reading strategies, wellness, adjusting to academic life, problem-solving, and more.

Learn more about LEAD courses

Learning Lab (LLAB) courses meet students where they are and provide practice, mentoring, feedback, and encouragement for building academic skills. Students earn curricular credit in first- and second-module half courses. The Learning Lab is designed for incoming and returning students alike to ensure that they strengthen their skills, build confidence, and thrive in their studies. 

Explore Learning Lab Courses

What is it? Writing Associates (WAs) can assist students with any writing assignment from any class. Writing Associates are Oberlin students trained to help other with all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to polishing a finished essay.

When to connect: If you want help brainstorming, writing, or revising a piece of writing. You don’t need to have anything written!

How to connect: The Writing Center is located in Terrell Library. See their schedule, and get more information on their website, or make an appointment at oberlin.mywconline.com.

What is it? The Speaking Center supports students on many aspects of oral communication -- crafting and delivering oral presentations; effective participation in class discussions; interview skills; and speech anxiety. Speaking Associates (SWAs) are Oberlin students trained to improve public speaking skills and confidence.

When to connect: If you are brainstorming or planning a presentation, practicing a speech, preparing for an interview, or thinking about how to participate in class discussions. 

How to connect: The Speaking Center is located in Terrell Library. See their schedule and get more information on their website, or make an appointment at oberlin.mywconline.com.

What is it? The QS Center offers drop-in peer tutoring for students seeking help in classes that focus on mathematical/computational skills. QS tutors have strong backgrounds in these skills and have received training in peer tutoring.

When to connect: If you want drop-in help with math skills, software such as Excel, statistics, or programming languages.

How to connect: To see the full schedule and meet with a tutor, visit the CLEAR website or email clear@oberlin.edu.

Who are they? OWLS (Oberlin Workshop Learning Sessions) and HOOTS (Hybrid of OWLS and Tutoring) are sessions led by students who have previously taken a course and are trained in peer tutoring skills. The main difference between OWLS and HOOTS are that OWLS are designed to provide opportunities for more practice with course material, while HOOTS are drop-in tutoring sessions.

Why to meet them: To stay on top of what you are learning in a course supported by OWLS or HOOTS.

How to connect: This information will be shared by your professor, and the OWLS/HOOTS schedule is always available on the CLEAR website.

What is it? The Peer Tutoring program at Oberlin promotes student success through peer-to-peer learning and collaboration. Peer tutoring is available via drop-in sessions or by individual appointment, and is free of charge to Oberlin students.

When to connect: If you would like to review course materials with a student who has experience with your class and/or discipline. A peer tutor can help you think through course concepts, develop study strategies, and build crucial skills to succeed in your classes.

How to connect: Visit the Peer Tutoring website to request tutoring support, or email peertutoring@oberlin.edu.

What is it? The Executive Functioning Program offers peer tutors/coaches who work with students to empower them to take control of their learning.

When to connect: If you are feeling overwhelmed by upcoming deadlines, want to improve your time management skills, are struggling to get everything done, or want help coming up with schedules/systems that work best for you.

How to connect: To sign up for a tutoring session or find information about our workshops, visit the Office of Disability and Access or check out our Instagram page (@efpoberlin).
Feel free to email eftutor@oberlin.edu for more details. 

Who are they? A Peer Mentor is a student staff member who provides leadership through the Center for Student Success. They address the needs of first-generation and Pell-grant eligible (FLI) students in their first year at Oberlin.

How to connect: If you identify as first-generation or low-income (high financial need) and haven’t already been contacted, reach out to the Center for Student Success at 440-775-8464.

What is it? PERSIST is a peer mentoring group that fosters a supportive network of underrepresented students in STEM. We want to help students cultivate their science identity -- the feeling that they belong, and can be successful in STEM. Students who are traditionally and currently underrepresented in STEM may join (BIPOC, first-generation, women, LGBTQIA+, Pell-eligible, etc.).

How to connect: We have monthly meetings in small groups. An info session will be held in September, time TBA. Contact Lisa Ryno (lryno@oberlin.edu) for more information.

Who are they and what do they do? International Peer Mentors (IPMs) assist students identified as international students (IS) during their first days on campus. IPMs can be a great help with cultural and academic adjustments to Oberlin and the US.

How to connect: Reach out to Josh Whitson (jwhitson@oberlin.edu) in the International Student and Scholar Services for more information, or stop into Wilder 208.

Who are they? Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) are upper-class students who have been trained to work directly with incoming College of Arts and Sciences and Double Degree Program students. PALs help ease the transition to Oberlin life and learning.

When to connect: PALs are there to help students every step of the way from orientation week through the first semester of college. You can ask your PAL questions about any aspect of Oberlin life and transitioning to college.

How to connect: As an incoming first year, you will be assigned a PAL and a cohort in a group of 15 incoming first years. You can reach out to pal@oberlin.edu with any questions you have.