UC Berkeley Student Learning Center

10/17/2026

Planning a DeCal is exciting, but it can also be challenging: from finding a faculty sponsor, to developing your course learning outcomes, to drafting your syllabus and schedule, there are a lot of parts to piece together.

In the SLC’s Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training and Resources (UCFTR) program, we know that having a thought partner can make a big difference. That’s why we are happy to offer consultations for folks who are currently planning or facilitating a DeCal.

Consultations are a great way to get individualized support with creating your DeCal. Meeting with a member of the UCFTR team, you’ll have a chance to discuss your DeCal ideas, get feedback on your syllabus, and seek guidance on any part of the proposal process and facilitation itself. You are welcome to come by yourself or to bring your whole facilitation team.

You can schedule a virtual consultation at https://bit.ly/ucftr-consultation or find our drop-in schedule on the UCFTR page, slc.berkeley.edu/ucftr. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

10/15/2026

As we roll right into midterms, the Student Learning Center wants to remind you: Golden Bears, we’ve got your back!

Join our learning community in the SLC to study alongside fellow students and take advantage of our many programs, including econ, writing, math/stat, science, and more. Whether you are looking for drop-in tutoring, a writing appointment, topic reviews, or exam reviews, we have a service format to deepen your learning and set you up for success on upcoming assessments. This is also a great time to check out academic coaching with the Strategic Learning Program.

You can learn about all of our programs and services at slc.berkeley.edu. We hope to see you in the SLC soon!

10/14/2026

You’re invited to Neuro Nexus: A Student-Faculty Conversation on Neurodivergent Student Learning!

Hosted by the SLC Strategic Learning Program’s Neurodivergent Student Advisory Board, this event is an opportunity to have meaningful conversation with Cal faculty about what learning at Berkeley is truly like. This event is for students who identify as neurodivergent, with or without a formal diagnosis.

In small, welcoming table discussions, you’ll share your experiences in your own words, hear your instructors’ perspectives, and help ideas for classrooms where every student feels understood and valued. Our hope is a heartfelt exchange that builds understanding and community, and strengthens teaching and learning across campus.

Details:
Monday, November 2 | 12 to 2 PM
Student Learning Center Atrium
Open to all neurodivergent undergraduates!

RSVP today at bit.ly/student-nn!

10/12/2026

Congratulations on making it halfway through the semester, Writers! We hope you’re enjoying the cooler weather that's come in.

At this midpoint of the semester, it can be challenging to maintain the focus and clarity you need for your writing. Talking with a peer tutor can support you in re-focusing and building momentum on your projects.

So, join us for an Appointment or Drop-in session this week to build clarity in your writing and find motivation to inspire your work! We can’t wait to talk with you at any stage of your writing process!

10/12/2026

Today, join us in celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, honoring Native history, cultures, and resilience.

Berkeley’s first Indigenous Peoples’ Day took place in 1992 as a protest against Columbus Day, on the 500th anniversary of Europeans’ “discovery” of the Americas. Since then, it has served as a reminder to uplift and learn from the Indigenous people who continue to fight for justice, self-determination, and rematriation of this land.

The SLC sits on the territory of xučyun (Huichin), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo speaking Ohlone people, the successors of the sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. We acknowledge the history that has brought us to this place and time, while also recognizing the imperative to move beyond acknowledgment and into action: to continue learning about historical and present-day injustices, and to honor, support, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous students and community members.

Image: UC Berkeley Native American Student Development

10/08/2026

Nearly 3,000 campus community members have joined us in supporting and protecting the Student Learning Center’s peer academic support!

When this petition launched a few days ago, we knew peer learning is essential to the student experience at UC Berkeley; your responses have proven that beyond measure! So much so that The Daily Californian published an article about the petition and the growing support across campus.

Thank you to every student, alum, staff, faculty, and community member who has signed, shared, and advocated for the SLC. Your voices have built momentum and made clear just how deeply our campus community values the SLC and peer-to-peer learning.

Let’s keep the momentum going and reach 4,000 signatures by Friday!

Please share the petition with your classmates, colleagues, alumni, and others in your networks who believe in protecting undergraduate learning at Berkeley.

Sign and share the petition: https://bit.ly/protectslc

Thank you for standing with the SLC and with our undergraduates!

UC Berkeley’s Student Learning Center, which provides peer tutoring for undergraduate students, announced Thursday that campus administration proposed a 20% cut to its tutor and student staff budget.

10/07/2026

The SLC Writing Program is the place to maximize your preparation and elevate your arguments! ✍️

For timed in-class writing, talking through your ideas in advance is key to sharpening your structure and depth. You can brainstorm potential exam questions during Drop-in hours or map out structured outlines in a scheduled Appointment. If you are working on a take-home paper, remember that writing starts long before you type the first sentence. Our peer tutors are available to partner with you as you unpack complex prompts, develop your ideas, and set a clear direction as you draft. 📝

Bring yourself, your prompts, your thoughts and ideas, and prepare for all your midterm writing with us this week!

10/06/2026

Golden Bears, it was wonderful to celebrate the Moon Festival with you!

On Friday, September 25, our Language Exchange Program hosted its annual Moon Festival event, observing the East and Southeast Asian tradition of celebrating the arrival of autumn and the harvest moon. Here in the SLC, we gathered for connection and cultural exchange, centered around mooncakes (of course!), other sweet treats, and a variety of fun activities.

We appreciate the 80+ students who came by to celebrate in community, as well as the extraordinary work by our LEP student staff who organized the event!

Interested in more opportunities to share cultural knowledge and connect with your peers? Consider joining us for one of LEP’s other services, including our ongoing language exchange pairs/trios, language pods, and conversation groups. You can learn more and sign up for an orientation at bit.ly/orient-LEP.

10/05/2026

Greetings, DeCal facilitators! We know your proposals are well underway, so let’s talk about…syllabi!

Your syllabus is often the first impression your DeCal makes: it communicates the value of your course to students, potential faculty and department sponsors, and the Academic Senate. But it’s not just about first impressions; your syllabus is also a powerful tool for engaging your students throughout the semester and planning how you’ll work towards your learning goals. By crafting a student-centered syllabus, you can set the tone for your DeCal, help your students feel inspired and included, and chart a roadmap for the semester.

That can sound like a tall order, but the good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone. In the Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training and Resources (UCFTR) Program's training workshop, “Three Pillars of a Student-Centered Syllabus,” we’ll explore key characteristics of an impactful and effective syllabus, tap into planning resources, and connect with peers.

This collaborative workshop fulfills the mandatory pedagogical training requirement for first-time DeCal facilitators.

Join us for our next date: tomorrow, Tuesday, 10/6 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Learn more and register at bit.ly/regis-syl.

10/02/2026

Greetings, Golden Bears!

Looking for a way to connect with your peers, while also strengthening your language skills and broadening your cultural horizons?

The SLC’s Language Exchange Program invites you to join us for meaningful connection and language learning this semester. Whether you’re a novice hoping to become more fluent in a new language, a native speaker looking to keep your language skills fresh, or somewhere in between, we have a variety of low-pressure opportunities to develop your linguistic skills and expand your cultural horizons.

In our pair/trio format, you can be matched with 1-2 peers who are proficient in the language you’d like to practice and who are seeking support with a language you know. It’s a great, flexible option for language exchange. If you’re interested in something more structured, you can join our language pods, weekly practice sessions facilitated by LEP Student Coordinators where you can find consistent support and connect with peers learning the same language. We also offer conversation groups, weekly small groups hosted by fellow students who are proficient in the language.

Join us to enhance your language skills while engaging with the rich diversity of Cal’s global community. To learn more and attend an orientation, visit our website: bit.ly/orient-LEP. See you soon!