Employing a tutor
Why use a tutor?
Students seek tutors for a number of purposes. Sometimes it is to get help with a specific activity or subject, sometimes to develop academic and problem solving skills or even to increase motivation for a unit or course. Regardless of the reason for engaging the tutor, the objective is always the same - a desire to achieve greater understanding and better results.
What to expect from a tutor?
A tutor is someone who can both reinforce subjects or skills, as well as teach you how to work independently or perform at a higher level. By working with a tutor students often find that they enjoy their studies more and get higher grades as a result. On the other hand, a tutor can not help you directly with your assignments or exams. Rather than give you the answers the tutor will help you understand the principles and concepts that make up the assessment and support you through the process. It is an important distinction to be made!
Who your tutor may be?
A tutor might be a teacher, a university student or a person who has a strong working background or interest in a subject or topic. When trying to find a tutor it is important to remember two things. Firstly, you need to ensure that your tutor has a strong knowledge in the subject or area that you are looking for help in. Secondly, you need to consider which teaching style works best for you. For example, are you someone who prefers to work with more theoretical or practical concepts? Spend some time reflecting on what you are looking for and what teaching style has suited you most in the past. Different styles suit different people, and therefore you need to be clear about your own needs and requirements.
Getting the most out of a session
To get the most out of a session with a tutor we suggest that you:
- Set up some initial rules and guidelines as to how you are going to approach each session. How do you want the session to be structured? What does your tutor have in mind?
- At the start of each session communicate to your tutor what you want to focus on.
- Stay focused; try not to get distracted from your goal.
- At the end of the session, review your goals; did you achieve them? If not, why not?
- If you don't understand, ask! This is your opportunity to ask all those questions you normally want to but are perhaps too afraid to ask in front of others.
- Don't expect your tutor to do the work for you; they are there to facilitate your learning.
- If you are not getting what you want, discuss this with your tutor.
Taking it further
