College Success Zone

Tools to Help You Succeed in College

The Learning Commons

The Learning Commons is your one-stop-shop for academic support. There is a Learning Commons location on each Vol State campus. We all need help in one area or another. Give your grades a boost!

The Learning Commons has:

• Assistance with essays, writing, and speech
• Math tutoring for many classes, including math-based science courses
• Math Learning Support class testing
• Natural science tutoring (Chemistry, Biology)
• Peer tutoring in many subjects
• College readiness and placement test preparation
• Skills assessment and development in reading, writing, and math

Visit to discuss your needs and how we can help. It’s free and available to all students, even those planning to attend the next semester.

There is a Learning Commons location on each Vol State campus.

Tutor.com

All Vol State students have free access to the online tutoring service Tutor.com. It is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The tutoring service covers Math, Business, English, Writing, Science, Health Sciences, Computers, and Foreign Language. To access Tutor.com, go to your course in eLearn, click on the Academic Support tab on the navigation bar and select Tutor.com.

Library Services

Don’t know where to start when researching a topic? The library staff offers personalized service, and librarians can provide instruction on searching for books, eBooks, journal articles from databases, streaming videos, and other resources. Call or email to set up an appointment. Staff are available in-person or virtually via Zoom.

Need a computer? We have several options! Each campus has a library with desktop computers available, and students can check out laptops for use within the building. Most computers have access to printing and scanning. Thigpen Library also lends audio-visual equipment, calculators, and more. See the “Technology Lending” page available from the library’s website to learn more.

Still waiting for your textbook to arrive? Many textbooks are available on reserve for two-hour use within the library. Just ask the library staff for assistance.

Looking for a place to study? Each campus offers many options, such as group study rooms, practice-presentation spaces, and quiet study areas.

There are library locations on all four Vol State campuses.

Access Center

The Access Center has one basic goal: to provide resources to help you be as successful as possible in college. We work closely with students with disabilities, including those who have physical, cognitive, learning, psychological and chronic health issues. You may have received assistance in high school, such as test accommodations, note taking assistance or alternative format textbooks, or your special circumstances may be more recent. Our services are available whether you just graduated from high school or are returning to college after many years. If you believe you have issues that are interfering with your ability to do well in your classes, please contact us. It all starts with a conversation.

Location: Gallatin Campus, Ramer Administration Building, Room 143
(615) 230-3472

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

TRIO provides free academic and group support for Vol State students. TRIO students often say the program is like having a family of learners and mentors on campus. In order to participate, students must meet at least one of the following U.S. Department of Education requirements:

• Low-Income: Family income meets federal guidelines
• First Generation: Neither parent has a four-year college degree or
• Disability: Registered with the Office of Disability Services

Services provided by TRIO include a Start-to-Finish Seminar, academic and career advising, graduation planning, financial literacy, tutoring, mentoring, goal setting, check-out program (laptops, digital recorders and calculators), priority registration, and four-year college transfer assistance. Applications are accepted throughout the year. It is possible that students will be placed on a waiting list for services, due to limited enrollment. However, as students graduate spots open up each year. Students may apply by coming to the TRIO office or by visiting the TRIO web page.

Location: Gallatin Campus, Wood Campus Center, Room 210
(615) 230-3732

Academic Coaches

Do You Need Help Taking College Classes? Coaches Can Help!

Vol State has academic coaches to provide you with support for classes. Are you having a hard time balancing school with other responsibilities? Issues navigating eLearn? Trouble staying motivated? The coaches can help.

The academic coaches can also help you get organized and provide tips for how you can do well in your classes. They don’t offer tutoring for the class subject matter, but they can help with many other things.

Visit the Learning Commons for more details.

Get Help Before You Get Frustrated!

The most important step in college success is getting the help you need before you get swamped.