Help Sessions

What are Help Sessions?

Help Sessions are certain times during the week when the instructor, TA or LA are available to answer questions outside of schduled class meeting times.

What can I ask for help on?

Pretty much anything related to the course, or about learning programmming in general. The instructional staff will not give you solutions outright, but will encourage you to think and reason out the solution yourself by asking pointed quiestions or by explaining concepts you might be stuck on.

Are these only for homework help?

No. You can get help on the homework assignments, but you can also get help on anything else course-related. We will help you with concepts and topics covered in the lessons, managing the time for the course, etc.

Should I only approach the TA/LA's in my discussion session?

No. You may approach the instructor or any of the TA's or LA's for help.

Can I ask questions about grading?

All grading questions should be brought to the TA who graded that assignement or the instructor.

How do I go to the Help Sessions?

Most Help Sessions are online through Zoom. Some of them are in-person. They will NOT be dual-mode. Please look at the table below to find the times and locations(if applicable) for the Help Sessions.

How do I access the Virtual Help Sessions?

When we have a schduled virtual help session, they will be available through the Zoom tab on the course Canvas page.

What if I don't see a Zoom link for a Virtual Help Session?

Some of us don't schedule the Help Sessions weeks in advance. The links will show up in time for the session, unless you get a Course Announcement saying the session has been moved, usually due to some emergent event.

Why are a lot of these scheduled at the same/overlapping times?

The TA's and LA's carry a full course load of their own classes. The Help Sessions are scheduled to allow for their class schedule as well.

Why do the online Help Sessions have long wait times?

Most students will share code during the virtual help sessions. To prevent opportunities for Academic Honor Pocily Violations, these students will be seen one at a time. This leads to inevitable delays on days of high-traffic, like hoemwork due dates.

Are there any other ways to get help?

• Visit ACE Tutoring
• Email the instructional staff
• Schedule a one-on-one appointment. However, these depend on the availability of the instructor, TA's or LA's. The instructional staff is having an exceptionally busy term, so we ask that you reserve this for serious matters.

Can I get help from anywhere else?

That is NOT recommended. Outside sources are usually unverifed, and might lead you wrong. Or, they might be unaware of the assessments in this course or the couurse policy. Collaboration outside of the in-class exercises is NOT ALLOWED according to the syllabus.