Our Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. Sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together.

What is Supplemental Instruction?

SI is FREE to attend! Students are invited to attend as much or as little as they please. However, data suggests that the more sessions a student attends, the better grade they will earn in their course. 

The sessions are facilitated by SI Leaders, who are students who have previously done well in the course and who attend all course lectures, take notes, and act as model students. During Supplemental Instructions sessions, students can expect to

  • Work in small, collaborative groups with their classmates.
  • Review lecture material, course reading, and homework.
  • Learn study strategies with SI leaders who know the course and professors.

Interested in Becoming a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader or Tutor?

We are always looking for reliable, motivated, exceptional students with great interpersonal skills!

Supplemental Instruction FAQs for Students

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is where peer tutors called SI Leaders host study sessions for students in designated historically difficult courses.

SI Leaders are students who have previously taken the course and done well. The SI Leader attends the course, lab, and also hosts group study sessions for students.

At each study session, the SI leader will support students in learning course concepts. SI leaders will help students make good use of their time and share the strategies they used to be successful in the course. The SI Leaders work collaboratively with students to discuss readings, compare notes, share study skills, and prepare for exams. The sessions focus on how to learn the material along with what to learn.

Students who attend SI sessions earn better grades and are less likely to drop the course than students who do not attend sessions. SI sessions also help students develop study skills/strategies that will help them in other courses as well.

SI Leaders are assigned to many introductory-level science courses at Mid. Once the semester begins, check the SI Schedule. Schedules are posted online and outside science labs and classrooms. Additionally, during the first week of courses, the SI Leader will make a short presentation to the course about SI. Regular announcements and/or postings will be made to remind students about sessions as well.

  • Attend another SI session for a different section of your course.
  • Meet with your instructor during office hours, or by appointment.
  • Request an individual tutor by clicking the link and filling out an tutor request form.

Generally once or twice per week (per course).

SI is open to all students enrolled in a specific course. Students from all ability levels attend SI. There is one thing all SI participants have in common—the desire to be a better learner. You can attend as many or as few sessions as you wish.

Supplemental Instruction sessions are FREE.

Supplemental Instruction emphasizes the development of strong study skills. The following list contains a few of the many websites that assist students in developing skills such as time management, vocabulary development, managing test anxiety, managing the workload, etc.


  • https://www.mometrix.com/ contains a plethora of resources about overcoming test anxiety.
  • howtostudy.com study skills are listed both by the process of studying and by topic. Each topic has a list of handouts.

SI Resources for Instructors & Staff

Instructor & Staff Referrals

We value staff referrals of students who would make strong SI Leaders. We are always looking for reliable, exceptional students with great interpersonal skills to be SIs. We currently have SI Leaders for many introductory-level science courses.

Additional Information on Supplemental Instruction (SI)

Visit the International Center for Supplemental Instruction website which provides an overview of the program, its underlying theories, and longitudinal statistical data about the program.

Supplemental Instruction FAQs for Instructors & Staff

Supplemental Instruction (SI), is an academic support model that uses peer-assisted study sessions to improve student retention and success within targeted historically difficult courses. SI provides peer support by having students who succeeded in traditionally difficult academic courses help other students complete these courses.

SI is a non-remedial approach that provides regular review sessions outside of the classroom in which students work collaboratively by discussing readings, comparing notes, working together to predict test items, and sharing ideas for improving class material. Out-of-classroom review sessions are led by SI leaders, students who took the course already and did well. SI Leaders help students succeed and dramatically improve student retention.

  • Provide a second set of hands in the lab, assisting students alongside the instructor and answering questions.
  • Help enforce lab safety and lecture expectations.
  • Take notes during lectures (to be used in study sessions).
  • Assist during the course as needed.

  • Review course material with students.
  • Create study guides and practice sheets for students to use.
  • Teach specific study skills (note-taking strategies, reading a textbook, ways to study vocabulary etc.).
  • Answer questions and clarify areas of confusion.

As soon as possible—the first week of courses is preferable! The instructor and SI will let the students know the time/locations of the sessions as soon as possible. 

SI sessions usually take place once or twice a week.

The International Center for Supplemental Instruction website provides an overview of the SI, its underlying theories, and longitudinal statistical data about the program.

We value staff referrals of students who would make strong SI Leaders. We are always looking for reliable, exceptional students with great interpersonal skills to be SI's. We currently have SI Leaders for many introductory-level science courses.

Supplemental Instruction Contact

Corey Goethe, Director of Library & Learning Services, cgoethe@midmich.edu.