Pictured L-R: Alex Thrailkill, Emilie Spree, Amanda Clark, and Katelynn Pratka
Sixteen chapters. Seven hundred pages. One summer.
For most students, that workload in a human anatomy and physiology class would be daunting—especially with only a few short weeks to absorb it all. But for Victoria College students Amanda Clark, Emilie Spree and Katelynn Pratka, it became an achievable challenge thanks to the support of the Learning Lab.
The Learning Lab offers free academic assistance to all VC students, and this summer, it was the trio’s lifeline. They spent hours alongside Learning Assistant Alex Thrailkill, breaking down complex concepts, reviewing tricky material and discovering study habits they’ll carry into future nursing programs.
“This summer, I discovered I’m more of a hands-on learner, and Alex helped me find a more direct approach to retaining the material,” said Pratka. “When you gain confidence, it changes your entire perspective on learning. I used to dread school, but now I love it.”
Thrailkill knows the journey well. A former VC student now pursuing a human nutrition degree at Texas A&M University–Kingsville, she tutors there and continues to mentor VC students—often meeting them online as they study between shifts, care for children or push through late-night sessions.
“It’s been a good fit for me since I know the teachers and professors at VC,” Thrailkill said. “I also know what’s expected when students take the next step. I love seeing students I’ve tutored go on to be successful and make a difference in our community.”
For Spree, the experience was more than just passing a class.
“It’s given me a lot of confidence to go after nursing,” she said. “This class is so challenging—it prepares you for the program. It’s very rewarding to put in the work and earn a good grade.”
Soon, the Learning Lab will be able to help even more students. When VC’s new Student Success Center opens, students will have a brand-new space to connect with learning assistants.
Discover more about the Learning Lab at VictoriaCollege.edu/LearningLab.