Tutors are an excellent way to help your child improve their grades, prepare for an exam, learn organizational skills, or hone study skills. They are also a great way to stem academic problems early on. One mistake many students make is waiting to seek help until late in the semester or year when there isn't enough time to make impactful changes.
The first step to finding a great tutor is choosing what kind to enlist. In addition to your child’s individual preferences, there is skill level, location, and price to consider:
Skill Level
The first factor to consider is whether you want a professional tutor, a college student, or a high school student to assist your child.
Professionals
These are individuals whose job it is to tutor students. They may have certifications, degrees in education, or other resume items that speak to their abilities. While they may not know your child’s curriculum, they’ll have tutored enough students to know every bump in the road.
College Students
College students are a good middlebrow option when it comes to tutors. They have been through the college process and have taken standardized tests fairly recently. They may also major in the subject that your child struggles in and can speak to it with a greater degree of authority.
High Schoolers
High schoolers tend to know the lay of the land better than outsiders and can help in areas specific to your school, like a notoriously harsh art history exam. In addition to passing on insider information, someone who has studied with the same teacher and taken the same class will have a better idea of what your child is going through.
After you decide on a skill level, you can use a specialized search engine, like UniversityTutor, find tutors to try. Be sure to interview or query candidates. Ask what their experience with your child’s issue is and how they would approach helping them.
Price
Another consideration is price. On average, expect to spend between $25-$80 a session. In researching different options, ask for estimates. The more expensive tutors are usually professionals. The less expensive options tend to be high school or college students.
Be sure to consider the additional costs of each service. Will a tutor require the purchase of additional study materials? Is there a missed lesson or cancellation fee? Are transit costs a consideration?
Remember, spending a certain amount does not guarantee results.
Location
A third factor to consider is how/where you child will meet their tutor. Tutors are now available both online or in-person.
Online
Several services provide 24/7 online support. This model is perfect for those who can’t travel or don’t want to waste time commuting to a study center. An online tutor can also tackle problems at any time and not just during a weekly meeting.
Some of the popular online tutor services, which hire both professional as well as student tutors, include:
A possible downside to an online tutor is without formal boundaries, your child may not take full advantage of their sessions or become dependent on outside help.
In-person
The more traditional route is having your child meet their tutor in person. This setting works best if your child already has a schedule that tutoring needs to seamlessly fit in. Your child may also benefit from having to self-identify problems and bring them to a tutor at a set time.
While most online tutorial services also provide in-person options, here are additional services that specialize in in-home tutoring:
Additionally, try contacting your local colleges and high schools to see if they have a directory of student tutors. Check message boards for notices or post your own detailing your child’s needs.
The downside to an in-person tutor is they’re less available. If your child has a question outside of session, they may have to wait to address it.
Remember, you can find just about any combination of skill level, location, and price-- there are expensive online high school tutors as well as inexpensive professionals willing to meet in person. The best way to know which of these types is right for your child is to simply try them out.
Tutoring only works if you’ve found the right individual. If the tutor you have chosen is a bad fit personally or fails to produce results, use another. Try different price points or skill levels until your child’s needs are met. Do not wait, hoping the situation will get better.
Meet with other options or sample multiple tutors at once. Read reviews or request references. Ask questions about how they would tackle your child’s particular situation or learning style. Most importantly, communicate with your child about their tutoring experience and be prepared to implement changes if necessary.
If you have additional questions about tutors, check out our blog:
Does My Child Need a Tutor? 6 Signs It May Be Time for Academic Help
How to Help Your Teens Manage Their Time
What Is the Best Time to Take the SAT/ACTs and What Is the Best Way to Prepare for Them?
Does My Child Need a Private College Advisor?
It may also be beneficial to talk to one of our Advisors about their experience with tutors. You can schedule a free consultation here.
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