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Study Smarter, Not Harder — for Free!

What is Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an internationally recognized, peer-driven program that strives to improve student success in challenging courses. Statistics consistently show that students who attend SI do better in class than those who do not. 

How Does it Work?

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These are weekly study sessions to help you in challenging courses.

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Led by SI student leaders who have completed the course and now help others do the same.

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These sessions are completely free!

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Sessions are offered in-person and online.


How to Access Supplemental Instruction

If your course offers Supplemental Instruction, it will be announced the first week of class and shared on Canvas. SI student leaders may also introduce themselves during class.

What courses currently offer SI?

(This list changes every term, so check back regularly!)

  • In biology: BIO-101, BIO-135, BIO-223, BIO-231, BIO-233 and BIO-234
  • In chemistry: CHE-111 and CHE-112
  • In math: MAT-137, MAT-191 and MAT-192
  • In technology: CTP-150 and CTS-107

When and where are SI sessions held?

Supplemental Instruction is offered exclusively during the fall and spring terms. Please be aware that Supplemental Instruction is not offered during the summer session.

Access the menus below to view SI session times.

NOTEIf a session is listed as online, see Canvas notifications from the SI leader for Zoom meeting link.

Session Times: Biology

BIO-101 (Foundations of Biology)

With Bella

  • Mondays, 10-11 a.m., HLSB 340 
  • Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., HLSB 340 
  • Fridays, 9-10 a.m., online (Zoom) 

With Alyssa

  • Mondays, 2-3 p.m., HLSB 216 
  • Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m., HLSB 216 
  • Thursdays, 4-5 p.m., online (Zoom) 

BIO-135 (Principles of Nutrition)

With Joseph

  • Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m., CRSC 217
  • Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30 p.m., CRSC 217
  • Fridays, 1-2 p.m., online (Zoom)

BIO-223 (General Microbiology)

With Christopher

  • Mondays, 4-5 p.m., HLSB 216
  • Wednesdays, 3:15-4:15 p.m., HLSB 216
  • Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., online (Zoom)
  • Saturdays, Noon-1 p.m., online (Zoom) 

BIO-231 (Human Biology 1)

With Rachel

  • Mondays, 5-6 p.m., LBRY 114 
  • Thursdays, 4-5 p.m., LBRY 114 
  • Saturdays, 8-9 a.m., online (Zoom) 

BIO-233 (Anatomy and Physiology 1)

With Samara

  • Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., LBRY 114
  • Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30 p.m., LBRY 114
  • Fridays, 11 a.m.-noon, online (Zoom)

BIO-234 (Anatomy and Physiology 2)

With Shannon

(SI schedule alternates weekly. Consult SI leader's weekly Canvas message for details each week)

Week A:

  • Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., LBRY 114 
  • Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m., LBRY 114 
  • Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., online (Zoom) 

Week B: 

  • Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., LBRY 114 
  • Thursdays, 3-4 p.m., online (Zoom)  
  • Thursdays, 5-6 p.m., LBRY 114 

Session Times: Chemistry

CHE-111 (General Chemistry 1)

With Maddie

  • Mondays, 4-5 p.m., HLSB 320 
  • Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon, LBRY 114
  • Thursdays, 4-5 p.m., online (Zoom) 

CHE-112 (General Chemistry 2)

With Angel 

  • Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., CRSC 107
  • Thursdays, 2-3 p.m., CRSC 107
  • Fridays, 8:30-9:30 p.m., online (Zoom) 

Session Times: Math

MAT-137 (College Algebra)

With Malana

  • Mondays, 11 a.m.-noon, CRSC 107
  • Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m., CRSC 107 and Zoom (hybrid) 
  • Fridays, Noon-1 p.m., online (Zoom) 

With Samara

  • Mondays, 3:30-4:30 p.m., LBRY 114
  • Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m., LBRY 114
  • Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., online (Zoom)

MAT-191 (Calculus & Analytic Geometry 1)

With Rory

  • Tuesdays, 3-4 p.m., HLSB 340 
  • Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m., online (Zoom) 
  • Thursdays, 3-4 p.m., HLSB 340 

MAT-192 (Calculus & Analytic Geometry 2)

With Benji

  • Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., FLRS 106
  • Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., FLRS 106
  • Fridays, 1-2 p.m., online (Zoom) 

Session Times: Technology

CTP-150 (Computer Science 1)

With Caleb

  • Tuesdays, Noon-1 p.m., CALT 251
  • Thursdays, 4-5 p.m., CALT 251
  • Fridays, 1-2 p.m., online (Zoom)

CTS-107 (Cyber Essentials)

With Brette

  • Mondays, 3-4 p.m., CALT 270 
  • Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m., online (Zoom) 
  • Thursdays, 3-4 p.m., CALT 270 

What happens during a typical SI session?

During SI sessions, the SI student leader guides the group in:

  • Reviewing materials from the current week
  • Discussing questions, offering practice problems and going over difficult concepts
  • Games, collaborative activities and hands-on practice
  • Sharing tips, tricks and new study skills to prepare for tests and quizzes

Sessions are purposefully designed to help you gain confidence, become more independent and achieve greater success in the course. Think of SI as a way to interact with the course material in a more active and informal way. 

SI sessions are not a place for:

  • Sharing exam or homework answers
  • Private one-on-one tutoring
  • A place to complain about an instructor

FAQ

How much does SI cost?

Nothing! SI is completely and totally free, and always will be!

Is SI available in every course?

Each term, certain STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses are designated for SI based on student need and faculty request. SI is not available in all courses; check back each term to see what courses are offering SI.

What if there is no SI leader in my lecture class?

Any student enrolled in a course for which SI is offered may attend any SI session for that course. You do not need to be in the same section as the SI student leader, or even have the same professor.

What if I'm unable to attend any of the offered SI times?

SI session times sometimes change during term to meet student needs. Keep your eye on Canvas notifications to learn of any updates! Also, be sure to take advantage of online SI session offerings, as these can sometimes make attendance easier.

Is SI right for me?

Do any of the following apply to you?

  • I'm struggling with a tough course.
  • I work really hard and study, but I'm still not earning the grade I want.
  • I have a good grade, but I'd like it to be even better!
  • I'm looking for ways to improve my study skills.
  • I would like to find a like-minded study group.

No matter your situation, SI is the place for you. Stop by and give it a try. There's nothing to lose, and you just might make new friends along the way!


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SI is Recruiting!

  • Looking for a great job as a student?
  • Do you enjoy supporting your peers and have a strong academic skill set?
  • Want to be paid to develop your leadership skills and résumé at the same time?

Qualifications:

Being an effective SI student leader requires maturity, good organization and time-management skills, strong subject knowledge, and an ability to communicate clearly. To become a student leader, you must:

  • Have earned an A or B in an SI course within the last three terms (see box on the right of the page for list of courses SI is currently recruiting for)
  • Have a strong interest in and ability to work with peers in small group settings
  • Be able to get a recommendation from a professor who teaches the SI course
  • Be in good standing with the college (having no past-due payments or fines)

Become an SI student leader

Email Matt Bem, coordinator for STEM Initiatives and Supplemental Instruction, at mjbem@aacc.edu for more information.

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Questions?

We’re here to help.

STEM Initiatives and Supplemental Instruction

Ready to Apply?

SI regularly hires student leaders for challenging STEM courses.

We are recruiting SI leaders in all SI subjects for the fall 2025 term. Check back frequently for updates on which courses are most in need.

To apply or learn more, email Matt Bem at mjbem@aacc.edu.

Student Employment Programs

Do you qualify for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) or Institutional Student Aid Program (ISAP)? SI is hiring student leaders in all STEM subject areas from these programs!

If you are eligible for FWS or ISAP and interested in SI, navigate to the Student Employment page and click the orange box titled Riverhawk CareerConnect Job Board to view the FWS/ISAP application.