What Happens in a Tutoring Session?

If you have never been tutored or have not found success with tutoring you may be wondering what goes on in a tutoring session-right?
First, let me start by telling you that a tutoring session can potentially be anything you would like it to be. The better a student is prepared with questions, topics they would like to discuss, etc. the more the session can be optimized to what a student would like to see happen.
Not every student is as self directed as above and some students are overwhelmed, lost, or at a loss as where to begin so I have a time tested approach that I generally follow and one which I find works for most students.
I start off by asking if there are any questions or concepts they don't understand. If so, we go over those items first. Then we spend some time going over current concepts followed by reviewing past topics and previewing upcoming sections. Lastly, we simulate the test taking experience to uncover hidden areas of difficulty and to iron out areas of confusion before exam day.
I've mentioned what can be covered in a tutoring session but I should also mention what should be avoided.
You don't want to turn your tutoring sessions into homework completion sessions. It's ok if you need some help with some problems on your homework but you don't want to spend your valuable time with a tutor just doing homework. Attempt to complete your homework before you meet so you can spend time on the few problems you might not understand.
Don't use your tutoring sessions as a replacement for classroom learning. Combine the two together so that they build on one another and you further refine and solidify your understanding.
Lastly don't be satisfied with 'good enough' and go into 'coasting' mode. Challenge yourself to go further and achieve higher than you even thought possible. Synergistically combine your effort, your classroom learning and your tutoring for optimum results!
Image courtesy of stockimages at www.freedigitalphotos.net
Mario DiBartolomeo shares his enthusiasm for learning through the math tutoring (PreAlgebra through PreCalculus) he offers and through his blog at www.mariosmathtutoring.com
Copyright 2015 Mario's Math Tutoring