Alumni tutors provide insider knowledge about your professors' expectations, course structures, and what it takes to perform well in particular classes. They can share study strategies that worked for them in your exact courses and help you avoid common pitfalls. This personalized perspective, combined with their understanding of Oxy's academic culture, creates a learning experience tailored specifically to your success at Occidental.

Tutors from Occidental College work across a wide range of subjects, from sciences and mathematics to humanities, languages, and social sciences. Since Oxy offers a strong liberal arts curriculum, many tutors have deep expertise in multiple disciplines and can help with everything from introductory courses to advanced seminars. You can connect with a tutor whose background aligns with your specific course or subject area.

Your first session is a chance for you and your tutor to get to know each other and identify your specific goals—whether that's improving a grade, preparing for an exam, or mastering a difficult concept. The tutor will ask about your current challenges, your learning style, and what you hope to achieve. From there, you'll work together to create a personalized plan that builds on your strengths and addresses areas where you need support.

One-on-one instruction allows your tutor to adapt teaching methods to your specific learning style and pace in real time—something you can't get from group study or generic online resources. Your tutor can ask clarifying questions, identify exactly where confusion starts, and adjust explanations until concepts click. Research shows that personalized instruction significantly accelerates learning and helps students retain material more effectively than passive study methods.

Simply tell us about your academic goals, the subject or class you need help with, and any preferences you have. Varsity Tutors will connect you with a tutor from Occidental College whose background and expertise match your needs. Once matched, you can discuss your specific challenges and work out a tutoring schedule that fits your life as a student.

Yes—since our tutors are Occidental College alumni, many have taken the same courses you're currently enrolled in. When you describe your class and professor, we can work to match you with someone who has direct experience with that specific course. Even if we can't find someone who took that exact section, we can connect you with a tutor who has strong expertise in the subject and understands Oxy's academic standards.

An Occidental College alumnus or alumna understands your institution's unique culture, teaching philosophy, and academic expectations in ways that outside tutors simply cannot. They've succeeded in your classes, know your professors' priorities, and can mentor you based on real experience. This shared background creates a powerful learning partnership where your tutor isn't just teaching the material—they're helping you navigate the Oxy experience itself.