The transition from high school to college is one of the most important and challenging in a young adult’s life. After depending on your parents and family throughout childhood, you now have to adjust to being an independent adult. From homesickness and social adjustments to picking a major, there are many different hurdles that college freshmen need to overcome. One of the most significant obstacles is academic challenges.
The biggest shock for many college freshmen is the upgrade in difficulty and expectations in college courses. Students who may have excelled in high school on mere intelligence alone may realize that the same habits won't get them very far in college. Bad study habits and poor time management skills can easily cause a student to fall behind in class and struggle with grades.
Thankfully, there are various ways to overcome academic challenges in college. One of the most foolproof solutions is hiring a college tutor.
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The Bottom Line
- How Does College Tutoring Help Students? – Tutoring allows students to discuss class material and talk through their understanding with another person, which aids with assignment comprehension and knowledge retention.
- 12 Benefits of College Tutoring – One-on-one attention, enhanced organization, and increased comfort and confidence are some of the many college tutoring benefits
- Why Go With Learner’s One-on-One Tutoring? – Learner’s top-quality tutors, excellent customer service, and state-of-the-art online classrooms are a few reasons why it’s one of the best online tutoring services on the market
- Does My Child Need a Tutor? – Slipping grades, lack of academic interest, and personality changes are a few signs that your child may benefit from working with a tutor.
- Ready to schedule that first session? Take the next step with our matching quiz!
How Does College Tutoring Help Students?
During the pandemic, there was a massive upturn in the tutoring industry. One study found that 1 in 5 upper-income families hired a tutor to help supplement their child’s education. In the past, people may have viewed tutoring as a practice catered toward struggling and failing students. Nowadays, the ample benefits of tutoring are becoming more and more apparent.
Tutoring allows students to discuss class material and talk through their understanding of that content with another person. Not only does that help a student improve their grades, but it also helps with assignment comprehension and knowledge retention. These benefits then carry over to when a student is studying independently. When a student is studying on their own, it’s easier for them to focus and stay organized because they know they have someone holding them accountable for their academic goals.
Tutoring also helps a student learn more about their academic strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. When sitting down with a tutor, a student will be prompted to consider what they want to review and what they need help with. This type of thinking encourages intentional studying and time well spent.
What Are the Benefits of College Tutoring?
Aside from helping your child boost their grade point average, there are many other benefits of college tutoring. Below we will explore some of the many benefits of opting for an online tutor.
Vetted Professionals
Before exploring the general benefits of college tutoring, we are going to take a look at some of the benefits of online tutoring services, like Learner. The most challenging part about getting started with college tutoring is finding a qualified tutor with the appropriate credentials and experience. By opting for an online service, you never have to worry about whether you are working with a reliable tutor who is worth your time and money.
Learner rigorously vets all of its applicants, so much so that only 5% of candidates are accepted into Learner’s network. When you begin working with Learner, you can rest assured that you are only working with the best of the best.
Matching System
When conducting your search for a tutor, tutor and student compatibility is almost as important as a tutor’s credentials and experience. For a student to benefit from their tutoring experience, a tutor needs to be able to cater each lesson to a student’s preferred learning style and personality.
It can be very difficult to gauge tutor and student compatibility on paper. This is where online tutoring services like Learner prove beneficial. When a student signs up for Learner, the first thing they have to do is fill out a short questionnaire. This survey will ask a student basic questions about themselves and their learning style. Learner will use this information to match the student with the most compatible tutor in its network.
This matching system also helps Learner match each student with a tutor who specializes in a student’s desired subject matter. For instance, if your child needs help with Calculus II, Learner will match your child with one of its online math tutors.
Not Limited by Location
If your university student lives in a small college town, it can be hard to find an expert in the area who specializes in your desired subject matter. If you are looking for a college math tutor, you shouldn’t have to settle for a tutor who specializes in organic chemistry. With online tutoring, you are never limited by your geographical location. Rather, you have a global pool of experts to choose from, which allows you to select a tutor based on specific requirements. This leads to a truly personalized education experience.
You Decide When and Where
With classes, studying, social events, and extracurriculars, college students are balancing a busy schedule. While elementary school and middle school students may have benefitted from a standing Tuesday tutoring session, the same can not always be said of college students. Unless a college student is building upon core study and learning skills in tutoring sessions, then they most likely do not need a tutoring session every week.
With online tutoring, students can sign up for tutoring sessions when they need one, whether it’s before a big test or when they need help with a difficult homework assignment. The ability to choose when and where you want a tutoring session saves a student both time and money.
One-on-One Attention
One of the biggest benefits of academic performance tutoring is the one-on-one attention that a student receives. A tutor can cater each session to the student’s strengths and weaknesses and explain complex concepts and processes at the student’s level. A student can also feel comfortable working at their own pace without the pressure of teacher expectations and classroom competition.
Enhanced Organization
Students do not always receive poor grades because they don’t understand the material. Sometimes, poor grades are the result of poor study habits. A college tutor can help a student stay on track with scheduling and completing assignments. A college tutor can also teach a student how to prioritize their time and develop advanced study skills and superior time management skills.
Every student will have their preferred method of staying organized, whether that’s keeping a study calendar or jotting things down in a notebook. Regardless of how a student wants to keep track of their assignments, having a daily regimen to follow and be accountable for is key to keeping up with school learning and achieving academic success.
Safe Learning Environment
A classroom setting can be an intimidating and anxiety-inducing environment for students. Many students have a deep-rooted fear of being called on in a classroom and not knowing the answer.
Constantly feeling on edge and anxious in the classroom is not conducive to productive learning. For many students, tutoring feels like a safe learning environment for learning. A student will be relaxed enough to work at their own pace and not feel worried or embarrassed about making mistakes. Plus, students often feel more comfortable asking questions in front of one person than they would in a classroom full of peers. Asking questions about concepts or classroom material that you don’t understand is key to achieving academic progress.
Increased Confidence
One of the most underrated benefits of tutoring is increased confidence in the classroom. Many students believe that they need to possess a “natural ability” in certain subjects to get good grades. While there are certainly a few academic geniuses here and there, the real issue is a lack of self-confidence. A tutor can help a student lower their walls, which allows them to absorb knowledge efficiently.
Tutors can help students gain confidence in their abilities through a series of steps. First, a tutor cultivates a safe learning environment for their student. Then, a tutor allows a student to approach an assignment through their preferred methodology. Finally, a tutor will help a student achieve a lightbulb “ah-ha” moment on their own. Before long, a student will be able to achieve the same results independently, which will continue to increase their confidence.
Time Well Spent
One of the biggest myths about tutoring is that it is a waste of time. With so much going on in a college student’s schedule, the last thing they need is another commitment, right? Wrong.
Tutoring is quite the opposite of a time suck. Tutoring can be a student’s biggest timesaver and asset. Setting aside time in your schedule helps ensure that you are making time to do your homework as well as study and understand the material for your course.
Helps Students Become Independent
For many students, tutoring is not a long-term commitment. Rather, professional tutors will teach student’s the skills they need to become independent learners.
It is possible for students to rely unhealthily on their tutors to answer all of their questions and spoon-feed them the answers. However, the best tutors will be selective about which questions they answer. A professional tutor will also know when not to shell out answers so the student can solve their own problems.
Changes in Attitude Towards Learning
When a student doesn’t like a subject, it usually means they don’t understand a subject. For instance, many students have a negative relationship with math because they don’t understand the complex concepts and rules associated with the subject. A tutor can help change a student’s relationship with learning by helping them achieve light bulb moments. Once a student begins understanding a subject, they transition from disliking to liking a subject very quickly.
Affordable Help
One of the biggest myths about tutoring is that it is extremely expensive. While some tutoring services and private tutors may charge costly hourly rates, this is not the case for every tutor.
Students can work with student tutors or teaching assistants at their college or university for free. Online tutoring also provides families with a budget-friendly alternative to in-person tutoring.
Lifelong Skills Start with The Right Tutor
Why Go with Learner’s One-on-One Online Tutoring? Hear from Students and Parents
If you are looking to work with an online tutoring service, Learner is a great go-to option. Here is what some of our students and parents have had to say about Learner’s top-rated services.
- So professional and result oriented. I highly recommend Learner. My son has soared to great heights with the help of his tutor at Learner.
- Our tutor has been wonderful, and Learner customer service has been very positive and flexible to work with. Thank you!
- It has been super helpful to get a deeper dive into math and gain confidence as well as my understanding! I think that through Learner, I have been able to learn past the foundations and dive into my understanding on a higher level.
- Chris has been a phenomenal tutor for my daughter, who is a junior in high school and has been struggling with calculus. We tried three other tutoring services before coming across Learner. The people at Learner asked multiple questions about my daughter's learning style, personality, and outside interests before pairing her with a tutor. They clicked immediately, and he proved to be life-changing for her with her class. She has had a full grade and a half improvement in just one month of tutoring. I can't thank Chris and Learner enough!
- Learner is a great service. It helps to give your child an edge. My son enjoys the fact that he can log in from home and easily speak to Dylan, his tutor. He is learning many difficult math problems.
- Learner hires professional tutors who have deep knowledge of their disciplines and have made a noticeable impact on the confidence and grades—both of teenage boys. During the pandemic, when online learning was necessary, and many teachers were not ready for it, Learner already had it down to a science. They use a platform that provides learning history, a whiteboard for live problem-solving help, notes from the tutor after each session, video recordings of sessions so students and parents can review what was covered, and easy scheduling tools. Tutoring sessions were a fabulous supplement to boost engagement and understanding exactly when my boys needed it most.
- Learner provided a dedicated, warm, but rigorous math tutor for my son. My son and the tutor developed trust, and with the tutor, my son did much better at school. Their video session allows me (the parent) to see the session and provides an option for my son to see the lesson later. Mike, the founder of the company, is accessible for me to express any concerns or questions I have had.
- Learner excels in customer service and professionalism. My son found it easy to communicate with his tutor. He also found it easy to understand his tutor’s teaching methods. I believe that Learner has been a great investment in my son’s education, and I have already recommended them to my friends.
Does My Child Need a College Tutor?
Several signs indicate that your child may need a college tutor. While the most obvious sign a child requires tutoring is poor grades and test scores, you also want to pay attention to slipping grades and test scores. Most of the time, changes in academic performance happen gradually over time. If your child is struggling with motivation, turning in poorly executed or incomplete assignments, or displaying a lack of motivation or interest in school, tutoring would be a good next course of action. Changes in personality and lack of self-esteem are also warning signs that your child might be due for academic assistance.
If your child is working hard but not excelling academically, this is another sign that they might need an extra helping hand. If possible, sit down and have an honest conversation with your child. Your child will have the best idea about where their academic issues stem from.
Again, it’s important to note that tutoring is not just for students who are struggling with school. Tutoring helps encourage higher-level thinking and improves self-esteem. It also helps students develop essential learning skills and critical thinking skills. Students who participate in tutoring services are also 86% more likely to graduate from college.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a college tutor do?
A college tutor provides academic support to students on a one-on-one or small-group basis. College tutors help students with time management, study skills, test-taking, and other academic skills.
What are college tutors called?
Aside from the title “college tutor,” tutors can also be referred to as student teachers or tutors, teacher assistants, or private instructors. A tutor is an instructor who provides individualized attention and instruction to a student or small group of students.
Is being a tutor good for college?
Generally speaking, tutoring in high school looks good on a college transcript, as it indicates a commitment to academic excellence. It is also a way to diversify your transcript by highlighting a passion or personal interest aside from academics.
How much is a university tutor?
The cost of working with a college tutor can vary depending on several factors, including the tutor's experience, location, and the specific subject or course you need help with. However, as a general guide, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $250 per hour for college tutoring services.
What makes a good college tutor?
Some qualities that might make a good college tutor include being patient, articulate, and knowledgeable. Additionally, it can be helpful if the tutor can break down information in a way that is easy for students to understand.
