Academic Support
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. SI 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. The sessions are facilitated by “SI leaders," students who have previously done well in the course, attend all class lectures, take notes, and act as model students (UMKC).
Your instructor will tell you whether your course has SI sessions. Upon registering for classes, courses with SI will be flagged on My Northeast.
Attending SI has been proven to raise grades by half a letter or more. Students who attend SI gain better understanding of the material through active collaboration with classmates. You're twice as likely to successfully complete the course if you attend SI (UMKC).
SI sessions are run by an SI leader, a student who has successfully completed the course and is approved by faculty. SI leaders complete training prior to the start of the semester, and are observed throughout the semester by the SI supervisor.
At SI sessions, the SI leader will facilitate discussions on course material. It isn't a re-lecture! Students attending SI engage in conversation on various strategies they can use to better understand the material. The SI leader also provides activities to clarify difficult topics in a way that's relatable to students.
SI sessions start the first or second week of class. The SI leader will survey the class to schedule future SI sessions that best fit the students' schedules.
SI is free! Students should come as often as they can. The more students attend, the better their grades will be.