Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

What are the SCAA's hours?

How much do SCAA services cost?

How do I schedule an appointment with a tutor or coach?

Download the SCAA's Nimbus Learning mobile app or visit the web app and sign in with your NetID and password.

Select the service you're looking to get support from, and you'll be shown available tutors/coaches and session times for you to book. For assistance, please call us at 510-885-3674 or email SCAA@csueastbay.edu to connect with a member of our Front Desk Team.

I can’t make it to my appointment. What should I do?

If you are unable to make your appointment, please be sure to cancel within the Nimbus Learning app. Your tutor or coach will contact you to assist with rescheduling. For any further assistance, please email our Front Desk Team at scaa@csueastbay.edu or call us directly at 510-885-3674.

Please review the SCAA Policies webpage for important details regarding the maximum number of cancellations or no-shows permitted.

I need help, but the SCAA is closed right now. What are my options?

You may consider utilizing NetTutor through Canvas. More information is available on the Student Online Learning Support and Services webpage.
Check out our Resources for Students page, which contains dozens of tutor-made handouts that address a variety of commonly-asked student questions.

Is tutoring or coaching available for graduate students?

Tutoring FAQs

What subjects can I get tutoring in?

The SCAA offers peer-to-peer Subject Tutoring for a number of courses across the curriculum as well as peer-to-peer Writing Tutoring. Please visit the Peer Tutoring webpage to view the full list of supported courses.

I need tutoring in a subject that isn’t offered by the SCAA. What should I do?

Please contact us at SCAA@csueastbay.edu to describe your academic support needs.

You may also consider utilizing NetTutor through Canvas. More information is available on the Student Online Learning Support and Services webpage.

Writing Support FAQs

I want to become a better writer. How can SCAA writing tutors help?

We recommend that you make frequent appointments with SCAA Writing Tutors, so that you can pick up tips and guidelines gradually and apply those to all of your writing assignments. Keep in mind that writing is a lifelong process. Be patient with yourself.

When is a good time for me to get help with a writing assignment?

SCAA writing tutors can help with any stage of the writing process: gathering ideas, organizing thinking, writing a rough draft, or polishing a final draft. We recommend that you come in at least three to four days before a due date. Coming in the day before or the day of may not be as productive.

Can you help me understand the prompt for a writing assignment?

Yes, we can—however, our tutors' interpretation of the prompt may be different from your professor's. We may recommend clarifying with your professor if there are any doubts about their requirements.

How should I prepare for a writing tutoring session?

Make sure to have the prompt or assignment handy, and anything you may have started writing. Don’t worry about not having started yet, if that is the case. If you are writing about certain texts, it’s best to have those available as well. You might also want to think about what you would like to focus on: organization, analysis, sentence structure and mechanics, citations, etc.

I am better at talking about my ideas than writing them down. Can a SCAA writing tutor help with that?

Do I have to stay for the full 60-min appointment?

We recommend that you remain open to making significant revisions and not just surface-level improvements to maximize your time with your tutor. You can leave whenever you feel you have gotten all that you need. You can also select 30- or 60-min appointment timeframes, so consider opting for the shorter availability slot, if desired.

Will the writing tutor help with grammar or fix my mistakes?

The writing tutor will help you recognize weaknesses and issues in your writing and guide you to doing your own revisions. Our hope is that you will gain skills and confidence in writing that extends beyond an individual appointment. Tutors will point out grammatical errors and explain concepts, but they do not edit for you. Tutors look at global issues, such as organization, analysis, and adherence to the prompt.

If I consider myself a pretty good writer, is there a point in meeting with a SCAA writing tutor?

Absolutely. Sometimes it helps to get another pair of eyes on your writing, to make sure that you are following the assignment and that you are expressing your views as effectively as possible.

I really need a certain grade in a class. Can the writing tutors help me get that?

Writing tutors can review a rubric and other expectations of the professor, and give you feedback on how well your response seems to adhere to those expectations, but they do not represent the professor, nor can they guarantee you a particular grade.

I don’t understand my professor’s feedback and feel that he/she/they are being too critical. Can a SCAA writing tutor help?

We recommend that you have a 1-on-1 conversation with your professor. Only they can explain directly what they are looking for. A writing tutor will be able to look over your writing and help you identify areas for growth, which would likely set you on a positive path for all future writing, but this does take time.

Does SCAA still have the OWL?

Formerly referred to as the "Online Writing Lab," asynchronous paper review has migrated to the Nimbus Learning appointments system. Within the app, you can opt for an asynchronous review to receive tutor feedback through the app chat.

If the professor is requiring that I show proof of meeting with a SCAA tutor, do you offer that?

Yes. Please contact our Front Desk team at SCAA@csueastbay.edu to request an appointment verification for your professor. You can also drop by the SCAA for assistance with this.

Coaching FAQs

What is a coaching appointment like?

During your first Peer Academic Coaching session, a coach will meet with you to go over coaching policies and to set goals for the semester. In the following in-depth sessions, the same coach will check in with you about how classes are going and help you stay on track to reaching your goals. Coaches do this by asking reflective questions and helping you create weekly plans for homework assignments and tests.

How is a coach different from a tutor?

Coaches differ from tutors because they do not help students with specific subjects. Instead, coaches work with students to help them gain essential skills for college and beyond. This includes time management, planning and prioritization, communication with faculty, and use of on-campus resources.