By Nicolas Esparza, January 27, 2026
Starting a new semester off can be tricky and overwhelming at times. It can be difficult to navigate, and students may be looking for more direction. By the time midterms approach, students may feel unprepared and stressed, wondering what went wrong. Cal Poly Pomona provides many options that can assist in a student’s education. Utilizing these options early can help students throughout the rest of the semester.
Here are the top three ways students can prepare for the spring semester:
Sign up for peer tutoring
Peer tutoring is provided through the Learning Resource Center located on the second floor of the library in Building 15. Tutoring services are free and accessible to all students virtually as well as in person.
Students can make an appointment through CPP Connect or call the LRC for a same-day appointment, according to Tracy McDonald, director of the LRC. Students can also participate in one-on-one sessions or group sessions, depending on their needs.
“Get to know yourself,” McDonald said about coming prepared to tutoring early in the semester. “Know when you’re more open to learning, especially if it’s a course that might be difficult for you, but use that calendar, give yourself those little breaks and maybe even a reward.”
Students can use peer tutoring services at the LRC beyond a single subject focus. Speak Easy sessions can be used by students who prefer receiving tutoring in their first language or to practice learning English and other languages.
There are also Happy Hour sessions held, which serve as a study hall model where students can work on their homework and ask a tutor for assistance only as needed.
In addition, the LRC has a study buddy program. Students can create a study group or join an existing group through CPP Connect, all according to McDonald.
The LRC also provides students with the skills to take better notes, test-taking strategies and public speaking. There are additional resources that can be found on the LRC page which include informational videos and workshops going into further detail on how to develop these skills.
“The tutor won’t be there for the student during the exam,” McDonald said. “We want to empower that independent learner … because it’s what’s best for the student.”
Use the University Library
Aside from tutoring, if students are looking to study with a group, the library also provides study rooms.
Students can book a room through the library website, according to Isabelle Hosfod, a student assistant at the library. Students can then check in at the circulation desk. Beyond studying, students can use the TVs provided in a study room to cast from a laptop to practice a presentation.
“I found it really helpful when I worked on group projects,” Hosford said. “One of us would make the reservation, then we would all meet there, so that way we had a guaranteed space for everybody, especially when it’s busy during midterms or finals.”
Hosford said booking opens one week in advance and rooms fill up quickly. She recommended calling the circulation desk to see if there have been any cancellations, so students can use the empty room if they weren’table to secure a reservation in advance.
Meet with your adviser
There are multiple ways students can set up a meeting with an adviser. Students can use CPP Connect following their video instructions. Students can reach their assigned adviser in the MYCPP portal. Students can go to the Bronco Advising Center office in the Student Services Building. Students also have the option of calling, emailing, or attending a Zoom drop-in with contact information found on the Bronco Advising page.
To contact advising within each specific college, students can also call the Student Success Center to book an appointment over the phone, according to Alicia Beckley, a CLASS Student Success Center adviser.
An adviser can assist a student with many academic needs and preparation ahead of the semester. Advisers are trained in meeting degree progress reviews and can make recommendations about what course a student should take, according to Beckley.
“I believe that not only are we really great resources for academic planning, I feel like we’re really great liaisons to get connected to other resources that are available on campus,” Beckley said.
For example, an adviser could help a student get connected to Counseling and Psychological Services and the Care Center for access to mental health services like therapy.
Additional information and resources can be found on the Student Success Central page.
Graphic image by Connor Lalea Hampton
