PASS sessions are free, scheduled group study sessions led by students who have already succeeded in the course. Trained PASS Leaders work with Normandale staff members to plan these study sessions to be collaborative, focused on current course content, and helpful to you!
Coming soon
"As both a PASS Leader and a student who attends PASS sessions for my own classes, I see PASS as a good way to offload some of the work required to succeed in my classes. Rather than taking a few hours to put together review material for a test, I can attend PASS and work on practice problems the student leader provides. It makes studying a lot more engaging and saves me a ton of time reviewing the things I've learned!"
PASS stands for Peer Assisted Study Sessions. It’s a free academic support program where students meet in small groups, led by a trained PASS Leader, to review course material, ask questions, and practice what they’re learning in class.
PASS sessions are led by PASS Leaders—students who have successfully completed the course and are trained to help others understand the content through group-based activities and collaborative learning.
PASS is not tutoring. Unlike one-on-one tutoring, PASS uses a peer-led, group learning format. Leaders don't re-lecture or give answers—they guide students through the material, encouraging discussion and active problem-solving.
PASS is usually offered for historically challenging or high-enrollment courses, like introductory STEM courses and courses that students take near the beginning of their college career. The schedule and sections are created each semester. Contact one of the PASS coordinators to see which courses and sections have PASS for upcoming semesters.
Anyone enrolled in the course can attend PASS. Whether you're struggling or doing well, PASS helps all students build stronger study habits and deepen their understanding of the material.
No—you can just show up!
Yes! PASS is completely free for all students.
Research shows students who regularly attend PASS sessions tend to earn higher grades than those who don’t. Plus, you’ll build confidence and learn study strategies that help beyond the class.
In a typical session, you'll:
It helps to attend class and review your notes beforehand. You’ll get the most out of PASS if you come ready to participate and ask questions.
No worries! You can attend any session that fits your schedule. While we recommend attending regularly, every session is designed to be helpful on its own.
Absolutely! As long as they’re in the course, bring friends or classmates—learning together makes it even better.
Yes. National studies consistently show that students who regularly attend PASS sessions:
It also helps narrow achievement gaps for students from historically underrepresented or underserved backgrounds.
PASS sessions are structured around:
PASS Leaders create session plans based on lecture content, textbooks, and assignments—they do not introduce outside material or material not yet discussed in lecture.
Students often describe PASS as:
PASS is collaborative and group-based, not one-on-one. Leaders are not content experts but skilled facilitators. The emphasis is on guiding students to discover answers and build study strategies together.
Leaders undergo:
No. PASS is designed to complement your teaching, not replace or duplicate it. Faculty involvement is minimal, and the program is administered by student success professionals. Some instructors do choose to meet more with PASS Leaders, but this is not required.
If you teach STEM courses, contact Corbin.Condon@normandale.edu; if you teach humanities or social sciences courses, contact Jessica.Johnson@normandale.edu.
Do you like helping others succeed? The Academic Support Centers hire students to work in a variety of positions. We offer competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a work environment that values your educational endeavors.
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