The mission of Utah Tech University’s Supplemental Instruction Program is to improve student success and retention in the “traditionally difficult” courses, while aiding students in becoming higher level thinkers and self empowered learners. The program aims to provide students with peer facilitated group study sessions. These sessions aim to enhance student comprehension of course content and expose them to valuable study skills.
Supplemental Instruction, or SI, is not a remedial service for students who are struggling. Instead, SI is built into some of the most challenging courses to help everyone succeed. Think of SI as preventative care for your classes. By joining SI sessions, you will get the chance to review material, practice tricky concepts, and pick up study strategies that are specific to your course. This extra practice helps you feel more confident and prepared before exams and assignments.
Every student can benefit from SI. Whether you want to raise your grades, stay on top of your work, or simply understand the material more clearly, SI gives you consistent support that makes a real difference.
Every SI session is led by an SI Leader, a fellow UT student who knows the course inside and out. Unlike a traditional tutor, an SI Leader provides support that is directly tied to your class. SI Leaders attend lectures with you, stay in touch with the professor, and understand exactly what the course requires. Because of this, the help you get in SI is focused on the material you are learning right now and the expectations you will be graded on.
SI Leaders create space for you to practice course concepts, ask questions, and build study strategies that fit the class. They also hold regular sessions throughout the semester, so you always have consistent support you can count on. Enrolling in SI means you get targeted help that makes your path through the course clearer and more manageable from start to finish.
Students enrolled in Supplemental Instruction (SI) courses learn the same content as their peers in non-SI courses. However, the key difference lies in the addition of an extra class period that is designed to support students’ success. This extra class period is called an SI session.
SI sessions are 50-minute interactive group study experiences that bring your class material to life. The SI session is built into the course schedule, and you’ll earn points for attending. Instead of re-listening to lectures, you will actively engage with the content through problem-solving, discussion, and collaboration. Each session is built around activities that help you apply what you have learned, such as breaking down complex concepts, working through practice questions, or testing strategies in small groups.
These sessions are designed to be supportive, inclusive, and engaging. You will have the freedom to ask questions, share ideas, and learn alongside classmates who are navigating the same material. The environment is casual and encouraging, so you can take academic risks and strengthen your confidence in the subject.
Through collaboration and hands-on learning, SI sessions help you move beyond memorization toward genuine understanding. You will practice thinking critically about the material, connect ideas across topics, and learn strategies that make studying more effective and efficient.
Students in SI courses may benefit from an additional two hours of tutoring each week with their SI leader. These tutoring hours provide personalized, one-on-one support to students who want it.
Whether you need help understanding a tricky concept, guidance on an assignment, or even a study partner, the SI leader is there to provide assistance. This added resource ensures that you have the support needed to succeed.
“Yes, as a student with low motivation for this class SI has been the biggest factor for me giving it any try and having a last hope. SI is like a middle ground between professor and student which is very helpful for a transition into new materials.”
“This class is the BOMB.com, I literally could not have done it without SI”
“I think I benefited immensely from taking the SI course. I have always struggled in English classes and this is actually my 3rd attempt at English 1010 albeit the other 2 attempts were over 10 years ago, both previous attempts I received D-‘s I believe and this semester I have been able to maintain over 100% throughout the whole semester. I attribute that to both my professor and my SI instructor as they both helped me so much and took time to answer any questions I had and personally assisted me when I needed it.”
“It’s very helpful doing activities to actually understand the material we’re learning and explaining it to peers is super helpful and has helped me understand problems much better.”
“I think this is a really good idea for students to get help and improve their writing. It makes it easier to communicate since SI tutors are also students.”
Yes they do. The content taught in SI courses is the EXACT same as a traditional Utah Tech courses. The only difference is the extra active learning component.
To register for an SI course, it is the same process as traditional registration. Visit my.utahtech.edu and search for classes that include “Supplemental Instruction” as the instruction type.
Anyone is welcome to register for an SI course! The courses we currently offer are lower division but we are working to expand our selection.
An SI leader is a near-peer who has successfully completed the course with an A grade. SI leaders are responsible for facilitating the weekly SI sessions. They receive training on guiding collaborative group study sessions. To be prepared for the weekly sessions, SI leaders attend course lectures, take thorough notes, stay up to date on assigned materials and assignments, and communicate with their respective professor. SI leaders plan and use a variety of teaching and learning methods within the SI session to help students with study skills and course subject matter.
Don’t hesitate to ask us a question. We will be sure to respond promptly!
Email Tilly if you are interested in becoming an SI leader.
Email: tilly.gibb@utahtech.edu
Phone: 435-879-4604
Office: HCCLIB 438
Email: Rob.Gray@utahtech.edu
Phone: (435) 652-7868
Office: HCCLIB 433
