Russell
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The
L
earning
A
ssistance
P
rogram
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Our mission is to empower students to become independent and active life-long learners.
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Laura P. Russell
Spring Semester 2002
Deep in the catacombs of the Saddleback Library lies a cave of knowledge. People flock to gain
independence and knowledge in a particular subject knowing that they will find a friendly face
willing and most eager to help. Most are unaware of what it is or where it exists, for it is the
best kept secret of Saddleback. Once one gains the power of entering the LAP they will always return.
Within the first three weeks of my first semester at Saddleback College, my English 1A professor
announced to the class that the LAP needed tutors for the semester and that she would be more
than willing to recommend any of us. Without knowing what the LAP was or where it was located, I
raised my hand and offered to help. As I took my blue card to the Learning Assistance Program,
I soon realized that this would be a life changing experience. The rooms bustled with a synergy
that uniquely charged students mind and tutors hearts. The LAP has not only given me a sense of
belonging at Saddleback College, but also a purpose in helping others with the skills that I have attained.
My first day of tutoring was a whirlwind of emotions and nerves. At the time, I had not yet
turned eighteen and continued to think, “how can I help someone so much older and wiser than me?”
I quickly learned that no one knows everything and as a tutor you learn just as much as the student.
The confidence that students enforced in me, most thought that I knew everything about English
grammar, was most uplifting and helpful in my classes. Tutoring helped to not only remember
previous teachings that I learned about all aspects of the English language, but it also aided me
in staying on top of what was to come in my other classes.
The most important aspect of being a tutor at the LAP is the joy it brings me each and every day.
The LAP has given me friends to laugh and learn with, people to meet and help, and a place
to go when I don't have anything to do. Throughout my live, I have always had a passion to help
people. The greatest feeling is showing another the way to success. Giving another a confidence
that they can do it gives me such a thrill. I love it when a student continues to return with
different essays an I can mark their improvement by which I don't see the same mistakes as
I did last time. Occasionally, there is the student that expects me to write their ten-page
research paper for them, and from that I've learned the meaning of work and evidence that
last minute attempts never pay off.
I cannot imagine Saddleback College without the LAP. Walking into the LAP every day is like
opening presents under the Christmans tree. The people that I have met are absolutely
priceless. Helping others is not only something that everyone should do, but it also is
such an amazing way to learn about yourself and others. By the second semester I pretty much
lived at the LAP. I would come in almost every day not only to get help with math, but to also
hang out with all of the great people I have met. The LAP is the heart of Saddleback College.
In it lie the most compassionate, energetic, outgoing people that pave the way to
success and happiness.
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