The Study Group

Chapter 5: The Start|Zach

My classes ended at 3:30 pm. I had half an hour to walk over to Hundt Library and figure out what the hell I was supposed to be doing for work. My days ended in the Bryant,  Voss, and Brenson Math and Science Complex, or the B.V.B. for short. It was the university's building that housed all things mathematical and scientific. Physics, Calculus, Algebra, Chemistry, Biology, Geometry. The only thing it didn't hold was engineering-specific classes. Those were in the Thomas School of Engineering.

It was already 3:45 pm. I had stayed behind after class to get some of my questions answered by the professor. It wasn't too far from the B.V.B. to the library. But it did mean I wasn't going to get much of an explanation before I started tutoring. Which sucked, since I had no idea what I was supposed to be tutoring. Or anything about this job honestly.

I made it to Hundt library. It was 3:55 pm. I had 5 minutes to get in and learn what I was supposed to be doing. I walked into the library.

The library had a very interesting design. Two buildings, combined by their shared basement tunnels. The two buildings were two L-shapes that were laid out so that an outdoor courtyard was sectioned off between the buildings, completely cut off from the outside world. There was a fireplace and what was described as the "cozy corner" in the northern building. It had several thick and fluffy blankets adorning comfy couches. A perfect reading nook for anyone looking to spend their day in the library. In the southern building was one site of the university's coffee shop, "Aroma Mocha." Ultimately, the library was a perfect getaway for any introvert with an addiction to the smell of paper and a thirst for fantasy adventures. Or for students that need a quiet space to study.

I walked into the northern building, passing the cozy corner. A woman stood near a bunch of tables. Several other students sat in clusters at different tables. The woman stood, looking at a clipboard. She looked up as I approached.

"Mr. Holmes?" she asked as I approached.

"That's me," I replied, walking up to her. I stretched out my hand. "Nice to meet you."

She didn't shake my hand. I lowered it awkwardly.

"You're late," she said.

"I know! And I'm so sorry. It's just--," I started.

"No need to explain yourself," she cut me off. "I understand that university classes are much more difficult compared to high school classes. I assume you stayed behind after your last class to get some questions answered. But please, Mr. Holmes, try to be on time from now on. Okay?"

"Yes ma'am," I nodded. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Good," she turned to the tables behind her. "This is the spot we designated as the section for tutoring. You and the students you tutor do not necessarily have to meet here if you so choose. We allow students to meet anywhere within the library, with the exception of Aroma Mocha. If you want to tutor your students in the cozy corner for the day, you are free to do so, so long as you communicate that to your group."

"Understood," I nodded. "Who am I tutoring? And what am I tutoring them?"

"Currently..." she looked down at her clipboard, flipping pages until she landed on the one she was looking for. "You have been assigned as a miscellaneous tutor. Your job is to help students with any classes they need help with that fall within the gen eds."

That's a lot of classes to tutor for, I thought to myself. Why would they leave all those classes up to one person?

"As to who you tutor," she continued. "That depends. Miscellaneous tutors are not assigned students. Instead, students go to miscellaneous tutors when they need to. If a student has trouble with English classes, they are free to drop by a miscellaneous tutor's group when they feel like it. This means that your group could constantly change."

That seems like a horribly inefficient way of managing the tutoring, I thought to myself.

"Any other questions, Mr. Holmes?" she asked me.

"Well," I paused, unsure of how to phrase my question. "Is there any reason I was designated as a miscellaneous tutor?"

"We were told you were studying to major in education. Is that correct?"

"Yes ma'am."

"We often place education majors in miscellaneous tutoring positions to expose them to a variety of subjects. Our tutors majoring in engineering tutor engineering classes, while our tutors majoring in a medical profession tutor medical-related labs and classes. And so on and so forth. This also includes tutors majoring in education who teach education-related courses. However, since education relies heavily on hands-on experience, we've found it to be more beneficial for tutors to teach miscellaneous subjects."

That was a lot.

"If there are no further questions," she said. "You may begin working now. Tutoring runs from 4 pm to 6 pm. We expect our tutors to arrive at 3:45 pm so as to set up and prepare their space for the students. You are, of course, clocked in and compensated for those fifteen minutes of work."

"Thank you, ma'am," I responded. "Where will I be tutoring today?"

"Since today is the first day of tutoring, we thought it easier if all our tutors remained in the same area, to begin with. You may find a new area in the library tomorrow and choose to tutor there instead."

"So I just sit at any table I want?"

"Correct."

I sat down at the table nearest to us.

"Now, we had someone specifically request to be placed with you," she said to me. "However, they seem to be running late. So, I should inform you that if you ever find yourself without any students to tutor, you are free to do your homework while you wait."

"Thank you ma'am," I nodded.

"Please, Mr. Holmes," she held up her hand. "Calling me 'ma'am' is getting old very fast. I am Clarisse Jennings, Dean of Libraries. You may call me Ms. Jennings."

"Okay."

"Ah and there is your student," she looked up, towards the entrance behind me. I turned in my seat to face the student I would be tutoring.

And then my heart sank.

"Mr. Holmes, I'd like to introduce you to the student you will be tutoring today," Ms. Jennings said. "Mr. Holmes, this is Mr. Quintin Renaldi."