CDS Tutoring Center: Peer Support for Data Science Success
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Tutoring Center Quick Facts
- Peer-led tutoring: Get help from students who have excelled in the same courses
- Consistent support: Schedule recurring sessions with the same tutor for a personalized experience
- Hands-on help: Work on homework, projects, and concepts with step-by-step guidance
- Flexible options: Drop in for walk-in tutoring at CDS 465 or schedule a 1:1 virtual session in advance.
- Dedicated to core DS courses: Tutoring available for DS 100, 110, 120, 121, 122, 210, 310, 320, and 340.
Schedule an Appointment
Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to talk it through with someone who’s been in your shoes. For many students, peer tutoring has been the key to unlocking their academic potential. Research shows that peer tutoring can reduce failure rates by over 50%, significantly boost retention rates, and enhance problem-solving skills, making it one of the most effective academic support strategies available. At Boston University, the CDS Tutoring Center ensures that no student navigates this journey alone, offering structured support for those tackling the complexities of computing and data science.
The CDS Tutoring Center, led by Academic Advisor Lakyn Bright in partnership with Colleen Kenney, assistant director of Academic Advising, is focused on two key objectives: student success and academic excellence. Bright connects students with the right academic resources, ensuring the tutoring center provides a welcoming space for students to learn and grow. Kenney helps shape the tutoring program to meet the evolving needs of CDS majors. Together, they have fostered an environment where academic excellence and community support go hand in hand.
About the Tutors
CDS tutors are more than just top-performing students—they are dedicated peers who have excelled in their courses and are eager to help others do the same. Tutors must have earned at least an A- in the courses they support, with some exceptions for particularly rigorous classes. Many tutors stay with the program for multiple semesters, expanding their expertise and taking on additional courses as they progress in their studies. What makes CDS tutoring unique is its emphasis on consistency and relationship-building. Students can book recurring sessions with the same tutor, allowing them to develop a rhythm and familiarity that enhances their learning experience.
“It’s beneficial for students in the earlier classes because if they find a tutor they like, they can grow along with them as they both take classes,” Kenney explains. “That continuity helps students build confidence and develop a deeper understanding over time.”
Walk-in tutoring is available at CDS 465 for students who need immediate help or a quiet place to study with support nearby. These sessions offer guidance on specific questions and a productive space to complete assignments with tutors just a few steps away. The weekly walk-in tutoring schedule can be viewed on the website, ensuring students can plan. Virtual appointments can also be scheduled through the tutoring center page for those who can’t make a walk-in session or prefer one-on-one support in advance.
For Sindhuja Kumar, a Data Science major from the Class of 2025, tutoring has been as valuable for her as it has been for the students she helps.
"When I took DS 310 with Professor Seferlis, I gained a broad understanding of Microsoft Azure. I got through the semester pretty smoothly, but teaching students the material again the next semester solidified my understanding and helped me in my internship. The assignments and the way people approach questions open up new solutions that can be applied elsewhere."
Kumar sees tutoring as a dynamic process—one where both the tutor and the student walk away with deeper insights and refined problem-solving skills.
Personalized Support for Every Student's Success
Many students appreciate the personalized approach that peer tutoring offers, complementing the structure and expertise of office hours with a more informal and flexible learning environment. Valentina Haddad, a computer science student taking DS 340 last semester, initially felt intimidated by machine learning but found that tutoring provided a unique form of support.
"It didn’t feel scary to not know what questions to ask. The Tutoring Center was a space where I could start talking and figure things out as I went. My tutor helped me connect concepts in a way that aligned with my learning style," Haddad said.
A Focus on Student Learning and Accessibility
As the center grows, new initiatives are being explored to make tutoring more effective and accessible for students. For those who have excelled in their DS courses, tutoring offers a way to reinforce their learning while making a meaningful impact on their peers. At its core, the CDS Tutoring Center is about growth—both academic and personal.
Leo Perez, a Data Science major in the Class of 2025 who has been tutoring since Spring of 2023, has noticed a pattern.
"Year over year, students often find themselves with the same confusion, which makes the tutoring center so valuable," Perez said. "Students who recently experienced the same problems can help guide others in a way that feels approachable and effective."
Whether students seek guidance on a tricky problem or want to build relationships with their peers, they’ll find a community ready to support them at the CDS Tutoring Center.
Learn more about the CDS Tutoring Center and schedule an appointment.
Photo (left to right): Peer Tutors, Sindhuja Kumar (CDS'25) and Leo Perez (CDS'25) tutoring a student.
By Neeza Singh (CDS'25)