How Tutors Can Approach Teaching Difficult High School Students

The intrinsic benefits of being a tutor are vast. Empowering students to reach their full potential is one of the most rewarding aspects of working in education. However, many students present difficulties that can be challenging for the tutor. By recognizing these challenges and working to overcome them, a tutor can become an invaluable tool for any struggling student. Here are four ways to approach helping students achieve academically:

Stress Importance Of GPA

Savvy tutors understand the importance of emphasizing that high school students that are interested in attending higher education should aim for a GPA of 3.3 (though some colleges take GPA as low as 2.0). By laying this framework for the importance of good grades for future success, tutors can help to motivate students to stay on task. Students who are resistant to the tutoring service are more likely to buy into the process if they fully comprehend the ramifications of bad grades.

Incorporate Time Management Skills

The root of the struggles for many students is poor time management skills. Some students simply are not equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to effectively balance school with the demands of work, sports, extra-curricular activities, and home life.  This is where having a tutor can really help.

Empower Students

Students need to be empowered to work within their aptitude and skill level. The first step in empowering your students is to identify their unique learning style. Whether that be through instruction or hands-on demonstration, successful tutors understand the importance of recognizing the individual learning style of each student. Once you’ve learned more about how they learn best, help them to understand how to use that knowledge to help them study better when they’re not in tutoring. If they learn best through writing help them with their note-taking strategies, and so on.

Set Goals

Hesitant students are more likely to strive higher if there are official goals in place. Before each new semester, sit down with your student and lay out a set of formal goals. These goals should be challenging yet attainable with hard work. To ensure a successful session each time you meet, tutors should set a list of mini-goals to meet by the end of the appointment. Not only will these goals keep students on task, but they will also encourage the student as the goals are met. Start small so that the student will feel some measure of success when the goal is achieved and continue.

By empowering students to reach their full potential, you are setting your clients up for a lifetime of success. Despite the challenges that many students face, an effective tutor can help to overcome these roadblocks.