BSK Tutoring
A Special Opportunity
Free tutoring is available from fellow students through the Berkeley Optometry Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK) Chapter. Tutoring services are unique to the Berkeley chapter, as we believe in the importance of helping all students through the learning process.
BSK requires its members to provide 2 hours of tutoring a semester, though many dedicate more. We provide weekly tutoring on techniques and skills in the preclinic with additional sessions offered near practical exams. In addition, BSK offers weekly sessions in the Fong Optometry Library; tutors are in the library for 2-hour sessions, and anyone who may have questions about specific classes is free to drop in. If any student wishes for more help individually, a private tutor can be requested.
In the last academic year, BSK members provided over 400 hours of tutoring. The BSK chapter at Berkeley hopes to continue and expand this wonderful service in the years to come.
BSK board members 2011 – 2012
A student comments
One student who benefited from the BSK tutoring program had this to say:
"In the final weeks of my second-year Spring semester, I felt at a loss about how to prepare for my pharmacology final. ... Coincidentally, for the first time, BSK began offering tutoring for finals. I met [with my tutor] for three hours and discussed practice questions. Different people have different study strategies, and having her show me her pharmacology study strategy really helped me with the final. Since then, I have had help ... for my Binocular Vision and Low Vision finals during the Fall semester of my third year, [which] gave me the motivation to put in the study time needed. ... I was able to listen in on the group's discussions, helping me with concepts that were not immediately clear. I am very happy that the BSK program has been expanded beyond the finals period, and that drop-ins are now available. I am grateful that BSK members volunteer their time to work one-on-one with me."
Getting Help
If you are having difficulties meeting your academic requirements or feel that you would like some extra help, feel free to contact BSK and take advantage of this special opportunity. Tutoring schedules are often updated and students will be notified of additional tutoring hours. It is rare, perhaps even unique, for a school or college of optometry to provide such a strong program of student-driven tutoring.
BSK members from the class of 2014 at the end-of-the-year banquet
About Beta Sigma Kappa
Beta Sigma Kappa is an international Optometric honor society with more than 2,300 members worldwide. The mission of BSK is to stimulate scientific attainment, academic excellence, and the ethical practice of optometry, and to promote and provide financial support for worthy research projects relating to vision care and the eye.
Membership in BSK is yearly and invitation to membership is extended to second, third, and fourth year students possessing the following record of achievement: (1) a GPA of 3.5 in their first professional year (2) a cumulative GPA of 3.4 in the first two years, (3) a 3.3 cumulative GPA for the first three years or (4) a 3.2 cumulative GPA for all four professional years.
All BSK members are given a Certificate of Membership and a gold cord to proudly wear and keep upon graduation. In addition, Beta Sigma Kappa annually awards its Silver Medal to the graduate BSK member who epitomizes the mission of BSK at Berkeley Optometry.
BSK members from the class of 2013 at the end-of-the-year banquet
For more information, contact BSK-President President Marilyn Le (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
The BSK Faculty Advisor is Richard C. Van Sluyters, OD, PhD (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
BSK National website: www.betasigmakappa.net/
