Some concepts take several readings to fully grasp. Some problems in learning only begin to make sense when a friend takes the time to explain them. And on certain days, knowing that someone is willing to lend a hand can be all the encouragement we need to keep going.
At the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), USTH Learning Support was founded on this very spirit. Over the past five years, the club has brought together students with strong academic backgrounds to share their knowledge, experience and study methods with their peers. Beyond helping students work through challenging assignments, its members also strive to build their confidence and encourage them to take greater ownership of their learning journey.
When Students Become Learning Partners
University offers opportunities to explore new fields of knowledge, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Demanding courses, heavy workloads and the transition from high school to university learning can sometimes leave students feeling overwhelmed, particularly those in their first year.
In response to these needs, USTH Learning Support has developed a range of peer tutoring activities. Rather than relying solely on classroom lectures, students can turn to peers who have previously studied the same subjects, discuss concepts they find difficult and review course materials in a more accessible way.
Around one to two weeks before each midterm and final examination period, the club organises free online revision sessions focusing on particularly challenging subjects. Study materials are compiled and reviewed in advance, while questions that arise during the learning process are addressed through the club’s Discord server, which features dedicated channels for individual subjects.
Students can join the community through the USTH Learning Support Discord server, where they can ask questions and seek academic assistance whenever needed. Beyond reinforcing subject knowledge, the platform also provides a space for students to exchange study techniques, share personal experiences and connect with others who are equally committed to self-improvement.
In addition to revision sessions, the club runs a series called “How to Lab?”, which introduces students to common laboratory techniques and equipment. Events such as Club Day also provide opportunities for new members and prospective participants to get to know the club, learn about its activities and exchange study experiences with more experienced members.
According to Hồ Đức Việt, President of USTH Learning Support, what makes peer tutoring particularly valuable is the sense of familiarity between students at similar stages of their academic journeys. Having faced many of the same challenges when studying university-level subjects, student tutors are often better able to understand where their peers struggle and adapt their explanations accordingly.
Peer tutoring is therefore not intended to replace formal classroom teaching, but rather to complement it by helping students consolidate their knowledge and become more proactive in their studies. Sometimes, a relatable explanation or a timely piece of advice is all it takes to make a seemingly difficult concept easier to understand.
Growing through every learning session
Behind every revision session is the dedication of Learning Support members, who devote their time to organising course materials, preparing resources and finding the most effective ways to explain complex concepts. For them, supporting their peers is also an opportunity to learn, reflect and develop their own abilities.
Hồ Đức Việt, President of USTH Learning Support, recalls that many first-year students initially feel hesitant when approaching natural science subjects. Having experienced similar challenges himself, Việt hopes to help them overcome this initial barrier and gradually build confidence in tackling new knowledge. His experience training for national academic competitions also helped him adapt more quickly to university life and equipped him with valuable study strategies to share with other members.
For Việt, Learning Support is much more than an extracurricular activity. His involvement in the club has helped him develop a range of essential skills, including teamwork, communication, leadership and management. These abilities not only support the club’s day-to-day activities but will also serve him well throughout his academic and professional development.
For Lê Sỹ Hân, a Gen 14 alumnus who majored in Data Science and previously served as Head of the Mathematics and Informatics Division, one of her most memorable experiences began with her very first teaching sessions.
Hân fondly remembers delivering face-to-face classes in Calculus I and Linear Algebra in the former Room 605. Standing in front of nearly 100 students for the first time was an understandably nerve-racking experience. She initially found it difficult to present the material naturally, but the constructive feedback and guidance she received from chị Vân, a member of the Mathematics and Informatics Division from an earlier generation, gradually helped her improve her teaching skills and overcome her fear of public speaking.
Minh Tâm, a Gen 14 alumnus who majored in Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology and previously served as Head of the Chemistry Division, had a similar experience during his time with the club.
When asked about his most memorable teaching experience, Tâm recalled:
“The moment I remember most clearly was probably my very first class, teaching General Chemistry 1. We had spent quite some time preparing for it, and the process was rather intense: reading through a great deal of material, organising our knowledge and receiving plenty of feedback and guidance from senior members. So, when the class finally took place and I could see that everyone was genuinely understanding the lesson, I felt incredibly happy and relieved.”
A Community Sustained by a Spirit of Sharing
Over five years of activities, USTH Learning Support has grown into a community where students from different generations come together to exchange knowledge, experience and effective study methods. Through revision sessions, carefully prepared learning materials and countless discussions, members do more than support their peers: they help carry forward a culture of sharing, in which students learn from and support one another.
Tiến Anh, a Gen 15 student majoring in Medical Science and Technology, is one of the members who brings a diverse academic perspective to the club. Drawing on his knowledge across different scientific disciplines and his own learning experiences, he offers alternative perspectives when explaining concepts to fellow students. At Learning Support, each member contributes not only what they know but also to a community where students can seek guidance, learn from one another and make progress together.
“I believe teaching something to someone else is one of the most effective ways to learn. Every time I explain a concept, I gain a deeper understanding of it myself. And whenever a student I have helped manages to pass their course, it gives me even more motivation to support the next person.” – Tiến Anh shared.
For Nguyễn Ngọc Phước Huy, the value of Learning Support also lies in the connections it creates within university life. Having been quite reserved and never joined a club during high school, Huy found an opportunity here to meet senior students and friends, build relationships and face academic challenges together.
As a student living away from home, Huy has gradually come to regard Learning Support as a “second home” – a place where he can freely share his happiness, talk about his worries and find relief from the pressures of student life. From teaching sessions together to informal group work, meaningful friendships have naturally developed, giving him a stronger sense of connection and belonging within the USTH community.
Huy’s story highlights another important dimension of Learning Support: the support it offers extends far beyond academic results and course materials. An open environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions, listening and sharing has become a source of encouragement, helping students grow in confidence and build genuine connections.
As the club evolves, each new generation of members brings with them knowledge, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives. More experienced members pass on not only study materials and teaching techniques but also valuable lessons from their own experiences, thoughtful feedback and a willingness to help others.
Over time, this continuity has shaped a distinctive learning culture within the club, where sharing knowledge becomes an opportunity for both tutors and learners to grow. Each generation may introduce new approaches, but the underlying spirit remains unchanged: to keep learning and ensure that no student has to face academic challenges alone.
Across generations, Learning Support continues to nurture a community where students can both seek academic assistance and share their own knowledge and experiences with others. What members offer goes beyond solutions to assignments. They also help build confidence, foster meaningful connections and create opportunities to grow together throughout university life.
Registration and Contact Information
To support students in preparing for the November examination period, USTH Learning Support will continue to offer academic revision sessions and opportunities to ask questions and receive assistance.
- Academic revision sessions: Open to all USTH students. Follow the club’s Facebook page and Discord server for schedules and further announcements.
- Academic discussions and questions: Join the USTH Learning Support Discord server.
- Facebook: USTH Learning Support
- Email: learningsupport@usth.edu.vn
