How to Make the Most of Your Tutoring Sessions
- Create a regular schedule.
Consistency is key to learning any new skill. Keeping your child (as much as possible) on a routine with their tutoring sessions and homework will help set them up for success.
- Focus on developing strong organization & study habits.
Strong organizational skills and study habits are essential to learning. Great tutors will go over these skills with your student. For best results, ensure everyone on your child’s learning team is on the same page, using the same strategies and tools.
- Provide a planner/scheduling app/calendar so they can track assignments
- Encourage the use of tools or systems (such as automatic reminders or alarms that go off when it’s time to study)
- Set up a distraction-free study space meant just for work.
- Ensure open communication.
Work with your child to set and track their goals. Regularly check in with teachers and tutors to ensure everyone is on the same page and that the strategies and learning tactics are successful.
Share any behavioural challenges, learning disabilities, strengths, and opportunities for improvement with your tutor. And be sure to let them know if cost is a factor, so they can make suggestions that fit within your budget.
- Encourage accountability and self-learning.
The goal of working with a tutor is to give undivided attention, motivating students to strive for independence and accountability in their learning.
As parents, we want to encourage and support, cheer our kids on, and give them the tools and guidance they need to learn the skills themselves.
A tutor can give you tips on setting systems up that help your child take accountability for their learning.
- Have patience.
Learning takes time. Have patience for the process and remind your child to do the same. Leave behind the notion of overnight, quick results – what matters is consistent progress. The most successful students strive to learn and embrace the entire process.
Tutoring is about so much more than better grades. It’s about developing relationships and encouraging a love of learning to help students find what lights them up!
- Set Successful Goals
Some goals (like higher grades) are easy to measure. Others, like boosting confidence, developing a love of learning, or building strong study and organizational skills, are challenging to define.
This is why we don’t offer a ‘guaranteed results’ program – because the true essence of learning and some of the most important factors we want to influence are simply immeasurable.
There’s nothing like seeing the lightbulb moment when you can make sense of an idea a student has been struggling to understand or hear them celebrate as they reach a goal that seemed so far off. Watching a child’s confidence grow as they master new skills goes beyond learning and influences their entire personality.
- Track and measure success.
Great tutors will regularly assess your child’s progress to ensure they are on track to meet their goals. But no one knows your child better than you, so keep an eye out for any changes.
You may notice a shift in their demeanour and the way they talk about school and learning – when they feel more confident and have a better understanding of their classwork, you’ll generally hear less complaining about homework.
Watch out for signs of increased independence, such as remembering to complete homework, gathering their school supplies, or showing initiative when studying for tests.
Have open conversations with your child about whether the tutor is helping them make sense of their workload – is it making their life and schoolwork easier or putting more stress on them?
© Sabrina Morgan