Finding a Tutor at the Beginning of a New Semester

By Kailey Walters on September 13, 2019

It’s the start of a new semester and a whole new school year, and you’ve got a lot on your plate, especially in terms of academics. With all the challenging classes you’re taking this semester, you might be wondering how to best handle your schoolwork.

One way to get a great start to the school year is to search for a tutor. Especially if you anticipate having to take a difficult class, finding a tutor is definitely a smart step to take to help you excel academically.

But just how do you go about finding a tutor in college? Read on to learn the benefits of having a tutor and find some suggestions on how you can seek out a high-quality tutor.

via Pexels

Why should I get a tutor?

Some of you may be wondering why you should find a tutor in the first place. You might even think college students don’t normally get tutored — which couldn’t be further from the truth. Many college students, no matter what year they are in or what class they are taking, greatly benefit from getting tutored by someone who is more experienced and more knowledgeable about a given subject matter.

There are some college classes you’ll have to take that are just unavoidable, and when push comes to shove, you’ll realize that having a tutor around is a great help to you. That said, it could be best to push your pride and doubts aside and seek out some help if you truly feel you need it.

When should I find a tutor?

While it’s great to seek help with your classes when you recognize you need assistance, it’s even better to get an early start. Getting a head start right at the beginning of the semester, and working with a tutor regularly as the school year progresses, can make a huge difference in your academic performance in that particular class or subject. That’s because you need time to truly learn and build up your knowledge of a certain topic or concept. Being proactive, especially for a class or subject that you expect to be challenging, will help you create a solid basis for understanding later concepts. Particularly if you have taken similar classes in the past and struggled with them, it is a good idea to seek out a tutor as soon as classes begin. That way, you’ll be sure to build up a strong support system and make sure you won’t fall behind.

via Pexels

What are some other benefits of having a tutor?

One of the great things about having regularly scheduled appointments with a tutor is that he or she can keep you accountable for your schoolwork. If you have a test or quiz coming up, your tutor can help you prepare by creating a schedule to follow with structured study times throughout your days. If you have assignments due in the near future, your tutor can help you complete them thoroughly, correctly, and on time. As a result, having a tutor around can definitely help you learn important study techniques, including time management skills.

Another super helpful aspect of having a tutor is that you’ll receive regular feedback on your schoolwork. Sure, you can always go to your TA or your professor’s office hours to ask for help and advice, but they can often become busy — meanwhile, it’s your tutor’s entire job to provide you feedback on your work! Regular meetings with a tutor will ensure that you get the attention and help that you need to excel.

How and where can I find a reliable tutor?

You might have some friends or acquaintances who are particularly skilled or knowledgeable about a certain subject, and they could certainly serve as good tutors — as long as both of you are able to focus and stay on task when it’s time for your tutoring session. If you find it difficult to be productive with your friend as your tutor, it may be a good idea to move on to someone else.

So where else can you find a reliable tutor? One option is to turn to the tutoring center at your college or university. Most schools offer peer tutoring, for which you can schedule an appointment or walk in. Many students find that receiving tutoring assistance from a peer can be super helpful, as the peer tutors have already taken the class they are tutoring for. What can be even more helpful is if your peer tutor had the same professor when he or she took that same class. That way, your tutor might have some information on what the professor is like or how the class normally runs.

There are many benefits to getting a tutor early in the semester. Make use of your time and resources to excel in your classes!

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