Out of the lecture hall and into the Oxford-style tutorial

Many college students seek comfort in large lecture classes where they can be just one of many faces in a crowd. For these types of students, the very idea of a class with only two students and one professor may seem unimaginable. However, this is part of an Oxford-style tutorial, a unique experience my college offers for students who dare to seek out a more intimate and in-depth learning experience.

Based on a similar program at Oxford University, tutorials allow students to fully stimulate themselves academically through intense discussion and writing. This semester, I was fortunate enough to take my first tutorial class at Williams. This opportunity has been not only enjoyable, but also extremely eye-opening for me about my needs when it comes to education.

If you had asked me in high school whether I could envision myself in a class where I am one of only two students, I probably would have said “no.” Even in elementary school, I was not the most talkative of students. Class discussions were terrifying for me, because I never had much confidence in my own opinions. I was also very shy and would rarely take the initiative to share my thoughts, unless asked.

Slowly, I did outgrow my timid demeanor and became a bit chattier. Still, I found class participation an internal struggle for me in high school. I did not like answering questions, because I was worried about being wrong or embarrassing myself. Even when I had opinions to share, I was always concerned I would not be able to articulate them clearly or someone would viciously challenge my ideas.

Given my previously poor track record with class participation, going to a small liberal arts college was daunting. Yet, the small classes and approachable professors proved to be a very different experience from my prior public high school days. With fewer students, I did not feel as intimidated to participate. I did not have to compete with as many hands flying into the air. I felt more comfortable speaking my mind, especially in subjects I enjoyed, like history.

This realization prompted me to partake in the most rigorous learning experience my school offers: the tutorial. Each tutorial course offered at Williams focuses on a very narrow topic. My current course is a history tutorial that takes a close look at America during the 1970s and how the political, social, and economic structures of the time have implications on our modern-day country.

Each tutorial section only has two to three students and meets only once a week in the professor’s office. The atmosphere is very relaxed and informal. Discussions and conversations have never been awkward. That may seem like it’s not a strenuous course, but I quickly realized you cannot rely on others to instigate discussion. You really need to complete all the reading thoroughly and think about the main ideas and arguments of each piece.

Every week, my partner and I have been assigned a collection of fascinating readings and are expected to present a six-page essay every other week, which can be challenging when I have to balance heavy workloads for my other classes.

For me, I have found that the one-on-one attention from the professor has been very beneficial. My partner and I direct all the discussion, choosing what aspects of the reading we feel is most important or most interesting. Our professor is open to whatever we choose to talk about and follows our lead. Occasionally, she will guide us when appropriate with some big-picture questions, which are challenging and really motivate us to think analytically.

My partner and I come from different backgrounds, but do share some similar experiences, which has led to more out-of-the-box, but relatable conversations. Best of all, I feel comfortable test-driving new ideas and appreciate the immediate feedback I can get from both my partner and my professor. I do not need to suffer the embarrassment of being wrong in front of a large class. The informal setting makes errors and misunderstandings a lot more forgiving.

Apart from the academic advantages of a tutorial, I have come to better understand what my needs are as a student. I seem to need to form more personal connections with the instructor, rather than merely listening to a professor lecture from afar. I perform better in smaller environments where creativity and freethinking is encouraged. This knowledge has been very valuable and has helped me figure out the tools I need for success.

I encourage other students to explore what unique learning experiences their school offers — even if it seems out of their comfort zone. We all learn in different ways, and you might be surprised to find a method that works just for you.

Aglaia Ho is a sophomore at Williams College and a native New Yorker. She also writes for her own blog at www.aglaiaho.weebly.com.

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