Hidden Gem at MC

PSA: Last week I found a hidden gem at MC, and it is located in the High Tech and Science building at the Germantown Campus, on the second floor. What is this mystery treat? It is the Math, Accounting, Physics, Engineering Learning Center, also known as the MAPEL Center. If you are like me, you probably have never heard of this place, so let me educate you on this life-saver.

The MAPEL center is a tutoring center that offers assistance for technology and science classes. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.  to 5 p.m.  on Friday and Saturday.  All you need is your M number or MC ID card, and you are free to use the center. Once you provide your M number, you will get two plastic cups, one yellow and one green. You can either sit at one of the tables or at a computer to get your work done. If you have any questions or issues, you simply put your yellow cup on top of the green. This signals to a tutor, often a fellow student, that you need assistance.

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely cannot get my work done at home. There are too many distractions. For instance, there’s a TV, and I am constantly swearing I will “only watch one episode” of my favorite show.  Six episodes later, I still have not gotten my work done. The MAPEL center is a quiet place where I am able to give my undivided attention to my work, so that when I finally get home, I can watch those six episodes.

Another reason I cannot get my work done at home is because I have questions. Math is not my strong suit, and I often find myself getting stuck. So when my math homework is being graded for accuracy, I tend to freak out. Prior to getting tutored at the MAPEL center,  I missed at least 1.5 points, if not more, on my homework assignments. Since I started going to the center, I have been getting 100% on all of my homework assignments.

If you struggle with some of your other classes, there is also a Writing, Reading, and Language center in the Humanities building.   The WRL center has greatly helped me with my essays and it has often made me think “I wish they could help with my math.” Well, now I know that the MAPEL center can. At MC, there are endless tools to help you with every class, from writing, to math, to physics and beyond.

Thank you MAPEL Center for getting me through Math 117.

Please check out the link below for more information on the MAPEL center!

http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/department2.aspx?id=18038

I am a 19-year-old lifelong resident of Damascus, Maryland. I am in my 3rd semester as a part-time student at MC. I plan on getting my Associates Degree in the next couple of years and then transferring to the University of Maryland at the Universities at Shady Grove (health permitting).

MC has been my academic home for the past year and I could not be happier. I started off my collegiate experience at Salisbury University in the fall of 2015, but due to my Chronic Lyme Disease, I was forced to drop out. I thought my academic life was over, as I was too ill to handle a full course-load, but that is when I discovered the part-time option at MC. MC gave the choice to take as many, or as few classes as I wanted, and because of this, I am now back on track to getting my degree. MC also offered me disability support services to further assist me in accomplishing my dreams.

I hope that this blog can help other students like me to see that even though they may not be taking the “traditional” route towards higher education, MC offers load of opportunities that will get us where we want to go. Whether you aren’t sure where you want to end up in life, or have another obstacle, like a chronic illness or disability, you can still reach for the stars and accomplish anything they want to here at MC. 

This Post Has 11 Comments

  2. MC has great tutoring services. If anyone hesitates to go see a tutor, i’d just pull a Bryson Tiller and say “Don’t” . Look forward to reading your posts, Cassidy!

    Reply

  3. Sounds awesome and very similar to the Math Tutoring Center at Takoma Park/Silver Spring. Math isn’t my best subject and I am the WORST at studying at home. Such a relatable post for me.

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    1. Thanks Naomi! I did not know there was a similar center at other campuses! That is great! I am the worst at math too!

      Reply

  4. Ah I might as well head to the MAPEL Center myself since I am currently taking Math 117. If you passed that course I definitely can! I totally agree with you about not getting work done at home. I love working in a quiet place where there are absolutely no distractions such as TV’s.

    I can so relate to this blog! I really enjoyed reading it because girl….. I know your pain Lol.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Kaila! I am still in Math 117 right now actually! Maybe we can study at the MAPEL center together sometime!

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  5. Super informative post Cassidy that will benefit many students, and the word will get out the more students go and tell others. Thanks!

    Reply

  6. I will be the first to point someone in that direction especially since math is not my strong point and MC has good people to help you out. Thank you for the information.

    Reply

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