Reasonable Expectations to Have for a Tutor

By Alyssa Laffitte on September 27, 2017

College classes can be tough, to the point that many people recommend students get a tutor to guide them through these classes. Learning from a good tutor can mean the difference between passing and failing a class, so you should take care to choose a good tutor.

Here are five reasonable expectations to have of your tutor.

Image via Isorepublic.com

1. A certain level of expertise in the subject

If someone is tutoring you, they should know what they’re talking about. Your tutor doesn’t need to have a Ph.D. from an Ivy League school, but they should have at least taken some classes in the subject they are tutoring you in. Preferably, they should even have a degree in the subject. As a college student, you should already have basic knowledge on the subject, and you should be tutored by someone who knows more about it than you. (This is especially true for a difficult subject like organic chemistry!)

2. Ability to teach

Just because someone has a certain level of expertise in the subject doesn’t mean that they can teach the subject well. Some people just don’t have a passion for teaching, even in subjects they are knowledgeable in, and that’s okay. When you look for a tutor, just remember to look for someone with not only knowledge of the subject, but the ability to teach the subject.

3. Someone who doesn’t give you the answers

Remember in elementary school when you would ask tutors for help and they would tell you they couldn’t give you the answer? The same principle applies here. Your tutor should be focused on helping you understand the process of getting to the answer, not just giving it to you for free.

For example, if you’re studying for physics, your tutor should tell you which principles or equations you should apply in order to arrive at the correct answer rather than just give you the answer.

4. Someone who keeps personal information confidential

Sometimes, you share personal information with your tutor, like your latest test grade and the concepts you are struggling with in class. Your tutor should not disclose this information to anyone else. They should respect your personal information by keeping it to themselves. This ties into the next point …

5. Someone who is a good human

Yes, your tutor should be a smart person who can teach, but more than anything, your tutor should be a good human. They should show you basic respect. In other words, they will show up on time (or contact you in advance if they need to cancel for any reason) and they will not talk down to you (this includes saying things like, “How are you not understanding this? It’s so easy!”) And of course, they should be patient with you. Learning takes time and effort, and your tutor should be patient enough to guide you and help you through this process.

If you are looking for a tutor to help you do well in your classes, look for one who is educated, able to teach, and will treat you with patience and respect. This type of tutor will be a big help to you.

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