FAQs
About the Learning Center
Making Appointments and Registering for Events
Academic Coaching
ADHD/LD
Peer Tutoring
STEM
Faculty FAQs
Parent FAQs
About the Learning Center
“What programs or services do you offer?”
The Learning Center’s programs and services include both in-person and online options. Please click on the links below to learn more: Academic Coaching, Peer Tutoring, STEM Support, Test Prep Resources, and ADHD/Learning Disabilities Services. For writing support, please visit our partner organization, the Writing Center.
To keep up with the latest offerings, we recommend that students sign up for our weekly newsletter.
“Who uses the Learning Center?”
Students visit the Learning Center when they want to improve their academic skills and/or their grades, get better at managing time, have questions about learning disabilities or ADHD, want to understand their strengths and weakness, and more. While most of the students who use the Learning Center are undergraduates, Graduate and Professional School Students also visit us regularly.
“Where are you located?”
Our office is located in SASB North, 450 Ridge Road (on the corner of Manning and Ridge). Parking is available in the Rams Head Parking Deck also located on Ridge Road. We have two office suites in SASB North: Suite 0118 (basement level) and Suite 2109 (2nd floor). Peer tutoring appointments are in both Dey Hall and SASB North – we also accept walk-ins at Dey Hall Mondays and Tuesdays 6pm-8pm.
“I’d like to make a Zoom coaching or tutoring appointment, but none are available. What can I do?”
You can schedule an in-person appointment and then change its location to Zoom. On the appointment calendar, find an in-person appointment date and time when you can meet with a coach or tutor. Schedule the appointment. Once the appointment is scheduled, look for the “My Scheduled Appointments” heading. There you will see the option to change the appointment’s location to Zoom by clicking on “Change location to Zoom.”
“Can I talk to someone over the phone to get more information about the Learning Center?”
Yes. Please call our main number at 919-962-7710.
Making Appointments and Registering for Events
“Who can make an appointment?”
All degree-seeking undergraduates at UNC-Chapel Hill can make appointments for individual coaching. Graduate students can too, as availability permits.
- Undergraduates: Per week, you can make up to two appointments for Academic Coaching plus another two appointments for Peer Tutoring, in advance. You can also make up to two appointments per week in the Writing Center.
- Grad students in the College of Arts and Sciences: Per week, you can make one Academic Coaching appointment, in advance. You can hold only one spot at a time–if you want to make an appointment for this week and next, you’ll need to wait until you’ve completed the first one before you can schedule the second.
- Grad students outside the College of Arts and Sciences: Per week, you can make one Academic Coaching appointment on a same-day basis. If you are in this category, when you sign in, you will see only whatever appointments are available today.
- Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars: You are welcome to have Academic Coaching appointments on a walk-in basis once weekly. To help us preserve availability for students, you cannot reserve a time in advance. Appointments begin at the top of the hour.
- Non-degree-seeking students and postdoctoral scholars: You are eligible for Academic Coaching and Peer Tutoring appointments on a walk-in basis, once weekly in each of the two areas. To help us preserve availability for degree-seeking students, you cannot reserve a time in advance. Appointments begin at the top of the hour.
- Visiting scholars: You are not eligible for one-on-one coaching, but if English is not your first language, you may be eligible for services through the Writing Center. See the English Language Support page for more information.
- Alumni, students at other schools, community members, and families: Coaching is not available to you, but please use our Tips and Tools.
In our calendar system, the day begins at midnight. If you are having trouble using the system and are not certain why, please contact us.
“How do I make an appointment to see an academic coach?”
All appointments are made online. From our homepage, click on the appointment tab and select a coach and time-slot that best fits your schedule.
“How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?”
From our appointment calendar, click on “manage appointments” where you will see options to cancel or reschedule. If possible, please cancel appointments 24 hours in advance.
“What happens if I forget to cancel an appointment?”
You will be marked as a “no-show” in our records. For students who regularly do not show up for appointments, you may be temporarily blocked from accessing our appointment calendar until you have followed up with Learning Center staff.
“How many appointments can I make each week?”
Per week, undergraduate students may schedule up to two appointments with Academic Coaching and another two appointments with Peer Tutoring. Graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences may schedule one appointment per week. Graduate students in other programs/schools may make one same-day appointment per week when available. All students are encouraged to use our free online Tips and Tools on studying, reading, test prep, time management, and more.
“What can I do if I’ve run out of weekly appointments but I still need help?”
If you’re working regularly with an academic coach, contact your coach directly and ask about any possible openings. You can also contact the Learning Center and try to be seen as a walk-in. Walk-in students are seen when another students fails to show up for a scheduled appointment.
“I don’t have an ONYEN; can I still register for a Learning Center class or event, or make an appointment with a staff member?”
In order to make appointments with staff, you need to have a valid ONYEN as that is the only way to access our appointment calendar. If you don’t have an ONYEN, please contact ONYEN Services. You also need an ONYEN to register for classes and events.
“Do I need to be a UNC student to use the Learning Center?”
Yes, the Learning Center programs and events are open to UNC-Chapel Hill students only. However, any student is welcome to use our online Tips and Tools.
“I am a parent or an instructor of a UNC student. Can I schedule an appointment with Learning Center staff to discuss concerns about a student?”
If you know which staff person you’d like to speak with, contact that staff person directly. Otherwise, please call 919-962-7710. A receptionist will be happy to help you.
“Can I bring a friend to my appointment?”
Yes, bring a friend, though it’s helpful to let your coach know ahead of time.
“Can I make a weekend appointment?”
You can schedule weekend appointments with peer tutors, but not academic coaches.
“How do I sign up for a workshop, event, or coaching group?
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter, and review our current offerings at Workshops and Programs.
Academic Coaching
“What kind of help can an academic coach provide?”
An academic coach helps you develop better learning skills, such as taking effective lecture notes, preparing for tests, managing time efficiently, and getting the most from your assigned readings. Coaches work with students at all levels, whether they are struggling to pass a class, or trying to move their grades up from B’s to A’s. We work collaboratively with you, helping you figure out which learning strategies fit best.
An academic coach can also help you set goals and develop better habits so that you can achieve your goals. Goals can focus on academics, but can include broader themes as well, such as the desire to create a more balanced life. If you want this type of support, you will commit to weekly sessions with your academic coach for an initial period of time (often a semester, though this varies), and agree to be held accountable to commitments you make at each session.
What is group coaching?
Instead of working individually with a coach on your goals, group coaching is for students who want the support of their peers as well. Coaching groups are offered periodically throughout the year, so check our Registration Page for the next one.
“Will you let my professor know that I came to the Learning Center for help?
At the end of an appointment, your coach will ask you if you would like your professor to receive a summary of the session. You are free to accept or decline this offer – we will honor whatever you decide.
“Will you let my parents know that I came for help?”
We do not contact parents about services you use at the Learning Center.
“Do academic coaches provide career counseling and course advising?”
No. For career counseling, visit Career Services. For help choosing courses, understanding requirements, etc., visit Academic Advising.
“Can academic coaches help me add/drop a course?”
No, the Learning Center cannot help you add or drop a course. Meet with an Academic Advisor.
To learn more about academic coaching, see our Academic Coaching FAQ.
Parent FAQs
“My child has a learning disability and/or ADHD. What kinds of services are available?”
Students seeking accommodations must request accommodations through EOC Accommodations. The Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office is the department at UNC responsible for managing all aspects of accommodations.
The Learning Center helps students with learning disabilities and ADHD develop tools and strategies to manage possible barriers posed by their disabilities. We also help them better understand the impact of their disability at the university level. Encourage your child to schedule an appointment with either of the two staff members who specialize in ADHD/LD.