Anybody had tutors before?

[yellowbus]

Hi, I am struggling to keep up with my AP Calculus class and AP Chem class (already!) and I’m considering a 1 on 1 tutor (never had one in my life). Has anybody had tutors before? Does tutoring raise the grades tremendously? What would one do during a tutoring session- go over homework? And about how many times a week do average tutors meet (my classes learn new things every other day, so if it’s once a week I’d be pretty far behind). My Calc and Chem. Tests are incredibly hard- the teachers don’t like to put up normal problems that we have for homework- they find problems that have pitfalls and etc.- would normal tutors go over those pitfalls as well?

PS. I know every tutor is different and everybody learns differently, but I want to know from anyone’s personal experience how tutoring was like.

PSS. If anyone has tips on staying on top of these AP classes, please post them! For ex., I usually go to the text book’s website and they usually have practice tests online, which I take before the actual test at school.

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by yellowbus

Has anybody had tutors before?

I was a college tutor for several years

Does tutoring raise the grades tremendously?

Sometimes, but not always. Its effectiveness depends on many things: the willingness of the student, the ability of the tutor and her/his familiarity with the subject and the specific class and teacher, and sometimes even the teacher’s attitude toward tutoring

What would one do during a tutoring session- go over homework?

Usually, yes. I usually reviewed textbook reading assignments and class lecture notes – in short, attempted to reproduce the class itself, focusing on any problem areas

And about how many times a week do average tutors meet (my classes learn new things every other day, so if it’s once a week I’d be pretty far behind).

In my case, most of my payment came from a state-funded office of the college. I was allowed to tutor each student for 1 hour/week/class (many students were tutored in several classes) without any special review or permission. If more was needed, I had to get permission from the program’s director. It was unusual for such permission to be denied. Tutoring more than 3 hours/week/class was very unusual.

An important question that should be asked is how to find a good tutor. The tutor’s familiarity with the specific text, class, and teacher is valuable, so former high-achieving students are often the best tutors. A person very knowledgably about the subject is not necessarily the best tutor, and may even have a negative effect due to a their approach conflicting with the teacher’s.

Having a specific office to coordinate and even pay for tutoring, as in my case, is ideal. A good first step would be to check with your teacher and school administration for the existence of such programs, or recommendations for qualified private tutors.

[HydrogenBond]

When I was a freshman in college, during winter break, I went back to my old high school and tutored in physics, calculus and chemistry. I did it for free to help out my favorite teachers. I used to show the students tricks. Sometimes formal explanations make things confusing. I was lazy and always looked for simple shortcuts. I tried to pass on my shortcuts.

One simple strategy, for test taking, is to read the first question. If you can answer it easily, do it. If not, then go to the next question, etc. Read the hard ones and do the easy ones on this first pass. After the first pass, make a second pass. Often solved problems will give some insight, while the backburner, in combination with the second or third pass (reading) helps the hard questions make more sense. Getting a few right at the beginning gives ones confidence and momentum, and makes sure you get credit for the easy things before running out of time.

[Nootropic]

Why not throw in my two-cents?

I'm a tutor in the Math Learning Center here at Michigan State University, and I know some people who make good use of the Math Learning Center, and it has helped them tremendously. But like Craig said, this has a lot to do with the willingness of the student. Case-in-point: I was helping a girl the other day, who told me she couldn't set up a word problem to save her life, but was unwilling to practice. She basically wanted answers for which there was no simple one (I suggested a strategy, but I'm assuming it was largerly ignored). Tutors are a nice thing to have, especially if the enjoy it and are, of course, competent.

[Jay-qu]

I am also a physics, chem and math tutor. I would like to think that I am very useful to my students They all learn different ways and I find that I can teach some better than I can teach others - not related to individual intellect but more how they learn.

I suggest trying a few before you settle on one and see which one speaks you language so to speak

[Mohit Pandey]

Actually all members like Craig D, Jayden, Eric l are tutors to me. I take this opportunity to thank them heartingly.

They help me in clearing their doubts and give me new insights in science.
For example, they are trying to help me in this post at present.

But I believe in home study unless my doubts increase my level of knowledge. Home study makes a person self reliant.

[Mohit Pandey]

Hello!
some time has passed between I last communicated with Eric l
Is anyone from Belgium here?
Can anyone tell about his health?