Academic Resource Center

1414 Massachusetts Avenue, Floor 3R

academicresourcecenter.harvard.edu

(617) 495-5734

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) supports the academic missions of Harvard College and the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences by helping students identify the tools they need to maximize their intellectual engagement during their time at Harvard and beyond. We are committed to empowering students to reach their full academic potential in an inclusive and equitable environment.

All College and Harvard Griffin GSAS students are welcome and can access the full range of ARC support throughout their time at Harvard. No referral is needed. Students can choose to engage with the ARC in person and virtually. They can register for all ARC services using the ARC Scheduler (arcscheduler.fas.harvard.edu). Students, faculty, and staff can get in touch with ARC staff by sending an email to academicresourcecenter@harvard.edu.

The ARC offers five main services: peer tutoring, course-embedded support, academic coaching, accountability groups, and workshops. In collaboration with the Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct, the ARC also supports College students on academic probation and College students who receive an educational sanction for a violation of academic integrity. 

Peer Tutoring

The ARC oversees the Beverly J. Duran Peer Tutoring Program, connecting Harvard College students with a network of trained peers who can support their learning in a variety of courses. Peer Tutors provide an extra layer of academic support for students by reviewing critical concepts and materials from class, clarifying points of confusion, and developing study strategies for upcoming exams. Students can find a peer tutor for their specific classes by logging in to the ARC Scheduler.

Course-Embedded Programming

The ARC supports undergraduate and graduate students through course- and department-embedded programming. All materials are tailored to each course’s needs and the research methods of the faculty’s specific field. Our goal is to give students the skills they need to thrive in their classes, allowing faculty to focus on their teaching and advising. The ARC’s course-embedded programming has covered topics such as discipline-specific reading skills, organizing research, exam preparation and reflection, problem-solving strategies, and project management for assignments and research. This programming continues to expand to meet faculty needs. Faculty may reach out to the Assistant Director of STEM Support (Meaghan Fallano, meaghan_fallano@fas.harvard.edu and the Assistant Director of Humanities and Social Sciences Support (Margaret Rennix, mcrennix@fas.harvard.edu to request materials or a consultation.

Academic Coaching

Students can meet one-on-one with an academic coach to work on optimizing their learning experience. Through structured, student-centered conversations, academic coaches introduce students to techniques for managing time, reading strategically, studying effectively, and more. They also help students prioritize their goals for the semester, identify effective work habits and ideal learning environments, and plan for when they are returning from leave or recovering from an injury or illness. ARC coaches support students from all disciplines and will direct students to other appropriate resources on campus as needed. Students can schedule a coaching session via the ARC Scheduler

Accountability Groups and Accountability Hours

The ARC is committed to helping students connect with a key resource at Harvard – their fellow students. ARC academic coaches facilitate accountability sessions where students come to the ARC (in person or virtually) to work towards a specific goal in the company of other students. At the start of an accountability session, students set a goal and share that goal with the group. These sessions help students because they create opportunities for weekly structure, social connection, and peer motivation.

Workshops

ARC academic coaches also facilitate various workshops throughout the semester. These workshops center around building and strengthening the skills necessary to succeed academically. Workshop topics include time management, strategic reading and note-taking, semester planning, problem set strategies, and more.

Students can register for Accountability Groups, Accountability Hours, and Workshops via the ARC Scheduler.

For more information about the ARC or any of our services, please contact us by email and visit our website.