Does private tutoring actually help students?
So you’re studying at University, at what point do you need to
engage a private tutor and will it actually make a difference. You
seem to be doing well and achieving not bad grades, but is this good
enough? It has become evident that achieving just a pass is not good
enough these days. Sometimes the motivation to find a tutor is out of
desperation to pass a course, but in today’s fiercely competitive job
market, employees are paying a lot more attention to grades than ever,
to select only the best candidates. There is a lot more scrutiny that
graduates face to get their first job to ensure the right organisation
fit as well as a strong level of academic achievement, which is playing
an important piece in this process.
Justin Lake CA, of Think Numbers, has been running a private
accounting tuition business for the past two year focusing mainly on
undergraduate and postgraduate students who are taking accounting
subjects. He has found a growing trend in students wanting additional
support for the studies not merely to pass but to obtain higher
grades. “I have extremely smart students who want more than just a
passing grade, they are looking to take their understanding of
accounting concepts to the next level”. He says it is extremely
rewarding to see students achieving distinctions and high distinctions,
coming from a limited knowledge base, prior to commencing tuition.
“What makes it good for students is that they can talk to a real
accountant and not an academic, which makes the concepts a lot more
real due to all of the practical experience & advice that I can
offer.”
What is important when finding a good tutor?
It is important to ensure that they have a good knowledge base on
their prospective subject matter. Try to find a tutor that specialises
in a particular area rather than being too much of a generalist,
tutoring multiple subjects from different disciplines. It is ideal that
the tutor has extensive work experience in the subjects as well to
ensure depth of knowledge. Finally look for testimonies from other
students to ensure that they actually can walk their talk.
What can you expect form a private tutoring session?
At the end of the day to achieve the marks you desire requires hard
work and focus and a tutor can’t guarantee this unless you put in the
time and effort by listing to their guidance and advice. They should
be able to answer most of your questions and set you up on the right
path to achieving your goals and understanding more difficult concepts
easily. If they know their material well, then you should be able to
bound ideas off them and be able to pick up a lot from their practical
experience. A good tutor will give you a lot of confidence in
preparation for the exam and develop a deeper appreciation for the
subject matter. You also pay for what you get so searching around
purely based on cost is most likely going to cost you in the long run.
How to get the most out of your tutor?
Its important to make it clear upfront why you want tuition and the
areas you need help. Wanting help to write an assignment that you
haven’t yet started and is due tomorrow morning probably isn’t the best
idea. Best to do some preparation and readings prior to the sessions,
along with some question that you may have will give you a head start.
Don’t be afraid to ask silly questions as they are here to help. Take
things at your own pace and don’t be afraid to tell the tutor if you do
not understand something.
If you haven’t tried private tutoring it is highly recommended that
you give it a go and you may surprise yourself how much you will get
out of it. When you consider the total cost of your education, it is a
small price to pay to develop the extra level of knowledge and
understanding that you can take with you throughout your career. Its
all as well reading a textbook and attending lectures, but to really
take it the next level requires additional support above what resources
are provided in a course to achieve top marks. Employers are looking
for what you understand and being able to apply knowledge to any
situation. If you are looking to understand the concepts better there
is nothing like sitting down with an expert on the subject matter to
explain it in clear terms.
On a final note, enjoy the experience, try to list and absorb as
much knowledge and wisdom from your tutor. There are a couple of good
websites in Australia that you can locate a good tutor such as:
www.tutorfinder.com.au
www.findatutor.com.au
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Exam tips
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