It’s hard to believe that we are more than midway through March – a time filled with anxious anticipation of sunny, spring days and motivation to get outdoors. Although it can be hard to find the inspiration to stay cooped up inside studying and working, it is crucial to remain on-point during this time of year. Why? For students, the end of the school year is quickly approaching, and with that comes the imminent end-of-grade and end-of-course tests. If a student is continuing to struggle with course material or test-taking, it is a great idea to implement another form of support now to ensure a successful end of the school year.
Working with a one-on-one tutor is an effective way to address the many challenges that students may be facing. The following are a few of the most significant ways that a tutor can be helpful in increasing academic success:
- Time Management – Along with school, kids these days have a lot going on in their lives, including sports, friends, after-school clubs, and family functions. Without time management skills, kids will inevitably forget the upcoming assignment deadline or put off studying for a test until the last minute. Tutors can help students develop time management systems, prioritize assignments, as well as create study plans to make sure that everything gets done accurately and on-time.
- Successful Studying – Students often think that “studying” means simply looking over their textbook and corresponding class notes. However, when the content is complex, this method does not actually help students understand the material and can cause learning to breakdown when they get to the test. Tutors can teach students effective studying techniques, such as concept mapping, textbook reading systems (like SQ3R), and procedures for organizing notes.
- Test-Taking – Taking exams can be stressful, causing difficulties for even the most prepared student. Working with a tutor gives students the opportunity to not only practice more test questions, but to also learn beneficial test-taking tools. Tests come in many shapes and sizes (long, short, multiple-choice, essay, fill-in-the-blank, etc.), so students must be able to tackle whatever comes their way.
- Stress Management – Sometimes course content can be confusing, overwhelming, and off-putting. We all learn differently, so the strategies and methods used during class may not be the most effective for all students. By tailoring their approach to align with individual strengths, tutors can help students feel more comfortable working with difficult content. Additionally, tutors can assist students in practicing stress management techniques and offer tips for managing academic anxiety.
Becky Thomson is the Director of Social Media at Southeast Psych, as well as a tutor with the Mind Matters program. For more information about tutoring, e-mail bthomson@southeastpsych.com. Also, stay connected by visiting the Mind Matters Facebook page and following @MindMatters_SEP on Twitter.
