Maturity

One thing that I have noticed about many of the students I work with is how they go through stages.  

At first, students can often be very tentative, shy, and unsure of themselves.  They don't know what to work on, what questions they have, or why they are even getting tutored.  I'll ask them something like, "Do you have any questions?" and they'll say "no, I pretty much get it"...which doesn't match up with the "C" they just got on their last test.

After students work with me for a few sessions they start to get more comfortable and start asking questions.  

As more time passes they start taking more and more responsibility for their math success and have an idea for what they would like to work on in a given session.

Eventually, many students take complete ownership of their tutoring and they want to get the most out of their sessions as possible.  When I arrive they have their book and materials out, a list of questions and topics they want to work on and in what order, and are ready to dive in and get to work.  They actively take charge of their learning:  making notes to themselves, tackling difficult problems, skipping parts they already understand and they have a laser like focus.

Students are getting something even more important than just a better grade or math knowledge out of the sessions.  They are learning to be mature self-directed adults.  It's great to witness their increased confidence and the skills they are learning will serve them well in college and beyond.  
​
Image courtesy of Sujin Jetkasettakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net