Dear students, this is for you! Parents, if you’re helping your child choose a tutor, this will be helpful for you too.
This is my honest, transparent, and experienced opinion on tutoring.
There are many reasons you might be searching for a tutor. Maybe school isn’t engaging enough, or you struggle to understand the material. Whether you’re a student or a parent, finding the right person to support your studies is more important than you might think.
Picture this: you’re at school, feeling bored, the teacher isn’t engaging, or maybe they are, but you just don’t get it. You come home, frustrated by the growing pile of tests, homework, and the pressure that follows. This might even lead to the dreaded, “I hate chemistry!”
That’s a problem. A setback like this can impact your future. Remember, chemistry is essential for careers like medicine and engineering. Such setbacks can close many doors, not because of a lack of interest or ability but simply because you need extra motivation for the subject, a spark.
That spark is what you should be looking for in a tutor.
A tutor should be passionate about their subject, highly knowledgeable (ideally with a degree in the field), and skilled in study and exam techniques. But remember, tutoring isn’t the same as teaching in school. It’s personal, tailored, dynamic, and, above all, engaging.
If you’re going to spend an hour or more each week with a tutor, you must:
- Get along! Make sure you like their presence, personality, and tone of voice. A quick initial call is a great way to assess their personality and understand their credibility as an expert.
- Match availability: Tutoring shouldn’t add stress to your schedule. Whether you need flexibility or a regular weekly slot, ensure your tutor can accommodate that.
- Consider their experience: Different students need different support. If you’re aiming for top grades for university entrance or need specific exam skills, an experienced tutor is essential. On the other hand, if you need help with homework or motivation, a younger tutor may help just enough.
- Cost: Tutoring services are available in many price ranges. Price doesn’t always reflect quality, so investigate why tutors charge what they do and what level of service they offer.
- What the tutor offers: Does the tutor offer lessons, or do they provide extra materials like homework, reports, or study notes? Experienced tutors often come with additional resources, so it’s worth asking.
- Reliability and long-term commitment: Will the tutor stick with you throughout the school year or until exams? It’s crucial to have clarity to avoid being left in the lurch during important times.
Where to find a tutor:
- Social media is a fantastic way to glimpse a tutor’s personality and expertise. Check tutoring-related hashtags or accounts; you might be surprised by how many tutors share insightful content. It’s also a good way to avoid platform fees.
- Tutoring platforms: There are many platforms where you can create a student profile and browse through hundreds of tutors. These platforms often have a registration process for tutors, but bear in mind prices may be higher due to platform cuts.
- References: Ask friends or classmates about their tutors. A personal recommendation is often reliable, and you might hear about a great tutor even without asking.
- School: Your teacher or school noticeboard can help you find local tutors, and they might even offer extracurricular courses.
- Local community: If the school doesn’t offer much help, try local libraries—tutors often advertise there or use the space for lessons.
Some final tips:
- Have an initial chat: First impressions matter when establishing a professional relationship.
- Set clear goals and expectations: Ensure you communicate your goals to your tutor to avoid misunderstandings.
- Choose your preferred tutoring style: Whether you prefer online or in-person tutoring, both have advantages—check out my blog post about this.
- Speak up: Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns if things aren’t working. Tutoring is for your benefit, so you should feel comfortable to perform at your best.
- Be consistent: Tutoring needs to be taken seriously. Success requires commitment, so stick with it, and you’ll see improvements sooner than you think.
- Use it as motivation: Tutoring isn’t just about the subject; it’s about learning tips and tricks from someone more experienced. Apply those methods on your own, and you’ll benefit greatly.
If tutoring seems out of reach financially, talk to tutors—many offer alternative options to support you.
Like my GCSE and A-level Chemistry Membership, which gives you access to carefully designed study materials that help build the exam skills you need.
If you’d like to know more, feel free to contact me. I offer a free consultation to help you decide if tutoring is right for you.
