Christopher Nhu
When Christopher Nhu, a third-year BS/MS student, finished his co-op at
Lockheed Martin in March 2024, he was on the lookout for his next
opportunity to add to his resume. He found it in an unexpected place: the
Academic Resource Center (ARC), specifically within the Academic Center for
Engineers (ACE).
"I got an email from the ECE department saying that ACE was looking for
tutors," he recalls. "I decided to apply because I did tutoring in high
school and I thought this would be a good way to continue helping other
students while gaining valuable experience."
Nhu, who grew up in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, is pursuing a dual major in
electrical and computer engineering, in addition to a master’s degree in
robotics and autonomy under Drexel’s BS/MS program. His academic background
makes him an ideal candidate for peer tutoring, a program that proves
beneficial for both the tutors and the students seeking help.
At ACE, Nhu primarily assists freshmen and sophomores with foundational
engineering courses. "Overwhelmingly, it's Physics 102, a course covering
the physics of electricity and magnetism, that is a big issue for
students," He explains. “Calculus is also a common area where students seek
help. They're always looking for assistance with explaining the unit circle
and other concepts they might not have covered thoroughly in high school."
The ARC maintains high standards for its tutors, requiring them to have
earned a B or better in any class they tutor. This requirement ensures that
students seeking help are paired with peers who have not only mastered the
material but have also recently been in their shoes.
"In almost all cases, when I’m offering help on a class, I’ve not only
taken that class, but I’ve taken that class with the very same professor,"
Nhu says, highlighting the advantage of peer tutoring. "Every professor has
their own style of teaching, quiz formats, things like that. Because I've
been through it before, I already know what they’re getting into."
Nhu has observed that many students tend to seek help around the add/drop
deadline, often in week six or seven of the term. "It's very common to get
a student around the add/drop deadline saying, 'I've been lost all course,
I've finally decided to take action, can you help me?'"
While he appreciates the courage it takes to seek help at this point, Nhu
encourages students to come in sooner.
"You have to admire the students for having the confidence to admit they
need help and make an appointment," Nhu says. "But it's very hard to reach
students who don't make an appointment at all and need help but don't have
the courage to do that or might not even know that ACE exists."
For students hesitant about seeking tutoring, Nhu offers reassuring advice:
"It never hurts to try. Drexel provides this service at no cost to
students. And all the tutors at ACE are open-minded and we will not judge
you for not knowing something. That’s what we’re here for. We are here to
help."