Tutoring for me is the easiest casual job to have while I am a law student.
Yes, I know that is kind of biased for me to say considering that it’s the only casual job that I have ever had in my life.
However, I know that when I compare tutoring to other casual and part-time jobs in terms of pay, flexibility, and skills, it is actually the most convenient for me.
I won’t go into too much detail on how tutoring is such a great job for me, because this post is dedicated to my fellow tutors out there!
Listed below are 10 tips that I want to share with you, based on what I learned as a tutor.
BTW, in case you’re questioning my credibility:
I have been tutoring since 2016: 2 years straight, 1 year on and off, and now regularly tutoring again.
- Clarify your student’s understanding by asking them to REPEAT BACK WHAT YOU SAID instead of asking the student “do you understand?” or “do you have any questions?
“Do you understand?” and “do you have any questions” are closed-ended, dead-end questions which won’t give you much. These questions will tempt your students to simply say “yes” or “no”, even if they deep down mean the opposite.
When you ask the student to repeat back what you say, usually, they realise that they didn’t really understand something after all. Plus when listening to their explanations, you can tell a bit what they are confused about from what they can say easily, and what they have a hard time explaining.
- Have Lesson Plans and Goals – Always Come into the Lesson Knowing What You’re Doing
Always come into the lesson knowing what you’re doing – like really, know what you are doing.
Look at your lesson plan, reflect back at the previous lesson on what they needed to work on, and apply it. Don’t just walk into the lesson not knowing what to do (doesn’t look good on you!).
- Be Enthusiastic and Make them Feel Important
Be enthusiastic, and make them feel important – some students lack confidence in themselves, and sometimes what they really need most is your encouragement and support.
Sometimes they may not be in the mood in the beginning, but if they feel your enthusiasm, they will soon become enthusiastic as well.
- Think Well of Them
Okay, this may seem a bit unusual, but trust me on this one – your thoughts affect everything that you do!
I’ll give you an example to understand things better (thanks to the book that I have read The Magic of Thinking Big):
There was this sales guy who wanted to enter into a contract with another man. As the sales guy and his co-worker drove to the potential customers’ place (which took two hours), they both started talking about how the guy is useless and unreliable, and that he looked like a guy who never amounted to anything.
Once they arrived at the potential customer’s place, they realised that all they have been talking about were the negative things about the customer, instead of looking at the positive things.
As they went to negotiate the contract, the potential customer sensed that the sales guys didn’t like him. Two days later, the potential customer decided not to continue, even though backing out would cost him $150!
So you see, never underestimate the power of your thoughts!
With your students, if you don’t think that they will understand you or that they will never do well, your thoughts will influence the actions you take, and your students can definitely feel that.
So don’t make that mistake – one tip is before the lesson, write down 3 amazing things about your students that will show through in your actions. Remember, don’t underestimate the power of your thoughts!!
- Be Of Service First, Even If You’re Not Going to Get Paid for It!
Be of service in any way you can, even if you’re not being paid for it.
Understand that being a tutor is more than just having a flexible job and earning more money – Yes, I’ll admit it, the pay is great… compared to other casual & part-time jobs, I love how I get so much flexibility with my schedule, and receive a good pay at the same time….
But remember, your students count on you, and sometimes you may be the only person that they can rely on.
- Communicate with the Parents
Trust me, they will be grateful if you keep being accountable with them, letting them know everything that is happening, and providing them feedback. Building a relationship with the parent is just as important as building a relationship with the student.
- Always communicate with your tutoring agency
Even though your jobs are independent from your tutoring agency, it’s still important to communicate with them as well. Always let them know what has been going on with your students – both the good things and the challenging things.
Your students have been improving and progressing? Let them know! Your students haven’t been doing so well and you don’t feel like you’re doing a good job? Let them know as well! Not only will they provide you valuable advice and support, they will appreciate you reaching out to them.
Also, your tutoring agency is possibly your lifeline in you becoming a better tutor, especially if they provide you with resources, and also communicate with the parents as well.
- After each tutoring session, ask yourself “what did I do right?” and “what would I do differently?”
You give your students feedback after every lesson, and you always reflect on what you need to work on next time…. Why don’t you do the same for yourself?
Give yourself feedback after every lesson – did I explain everything clearly? Was I enthusiastic? Did I praise them enough? Did I properly communicate to their parents?
One of the easiest ways to do this, I found that simply asking yourself “what I did right?” and “what I would do differently” with valuable feedback you need for yourself. Not only will you feel great for the things that you have done right, you can also feel great for the things that you will do better next time.
Improvement is not just one-way and one-sided on the student, improvement falls upon you as well!
- Have Boundaries
This is pretty basic, but at the same time very easy to overlook.
Have boundaries and stay within them.
These go from how many students you take in, to the issues that you face, to even the rules and regulations that you have to follow.
Too much on your plate? Don’t take anymore students.
Parents keep canceling without valid reasons, take action.
Students try to add you on social media? Don’t do it until they are not your student anymore.
It seems so simple, but you’d be surprised on how easy it would be to fall into your traps.
- BONUS TIP – if they are a student who lacks confidence, try this little activity
Write three things you accomplished in today’s session that you are proud of…
This is so effective, not just for my students but for me as well!
With my students who lack confidence in themselves and their ability, at the end of every session, I like them to do this exercise, where I get them to write three things that they are proud of and accomplished – and they don’t need to be doing a writing subject! It can be maths as well.
So there you go – 10 tutoring tips based on my experience….
If I ever come up with more, there will be a Part 2 of this post..:)
BUT
Until Part 2 comes, you can watch the video version of this blog post:
