General Questions
The information in this section of questions covers all forms of academic support listed on the Peer Tutoring & Academic Support page.
What if I can't find my course?
If you do not see your course, please let us know. We also encourage you to contact your teaching assistant and/or faculty member during recitation/office hours for additional support. If you know of an academic support program available that is not included, please contact academiccommons@gwu.edu.
Academic Commons Peer Tutoring Program Questions
The questions below pertain only to the Academic Commons tutoring programs.
How can I schedule a tutoring appointment or attend a review session?
Students can use the scheduling platform Penji to schedule tutoring appointments and review drop-in hours.
How many hours of peer tutoring can I attend?
Students can schedule one tutoring session per day. Students can attend as many drop-in tutoring sessions or course review sessions as they choose.
Can I see the same peer tutor every week?
Provided that the tutor is available, you can make an appointment with the same tutor every week. However, changing tutors from time to time allows you to hear other perspectives and receive support for more than one course.
Can I email or text my peer tutor in-between appointments with quick questions?
Please note that the tutors are students as well and will not be able to communicate with you 24/7. For urgent requests (such as cancellations), contact academiccommons@gwu.edu.
What is the cancellation policy?
We understand things come up. If you need to cancel an appointment, we expect you to do so with at least 30 minutes' notice. You can cancel your appointment in your Penji account or by emailing us at academiccommons@gwu.edu. Direct messages to tutors do not count as cancellations.
How do I cancel my tutoring appointment?
Open your Penji account and select the appointment you would like to cancel. In the upper right-hand corner, click on the 3 dots and then select "Cancel Session." Enter the reason for cancelling and click the "Cancel Session" button.
What happens if I cancel too late or don't attend my scheduled session?
If you cancel an appointment with less than 30 minutes' notice or do not attend a session without providing notice, you will receive a warning about the missed appointment. If you miss three appointments in a semester, you will lose access to your Penji account. You can contact academiccommons@gwu.edu to discuss regaining access to your account.
Questions About Penji
How do I access Penji?
You can access Penji using the mobile app or website. You will be directed to the GW Single Sign-On page and will be prompted to enter your email address and password.
What do I do if I do not see my course or program listed?
You will see a button with the text "Let your center know." We will receive a message and work with you to identify campus resources that may be able to assist you.
What if I want to learn more about Penji?
Check out the Penji Help Center for helpful videos and posts. You can also reach out to us at academiccommons@gwu.edu and we will be happy to assist you.
Return to the Peer Tutoring & Review Sessions page.
