If you need a tutor, here are some things to consider...
#1 Learning Is Primarily the Responsibility of the Student!
A tutor (or a teacher!) is only a tool. True understanding will only come through work which takes time. This is up to the student. For a tutor to explain everything you need to know would be prohibitively expensive! The best way for you to use a tutor is to try to do as much of the work yourself as possible, then bring questions to the tutor so that he/she can smooth over the rough areas for you.
If you rely on the tutor to explain everything and if you do most of your studying only when the tutor is present, then your grades will probably not be very good. This is especially true with difficult subjects such as math, chemistry, & phsyics.
#2 Problem Solving Is THE BEST Method of Studying.
Studying... The best way to study for math, and sciences that require math is this:
Read the chapter, but don't expect full understanding while you are reading; that will come later. Don't dwell too much on a topic if you are not understanding it completely as you're reading. THEN... at the end of the chapter there will be problems for you to solve. THIS is where the true understanding/studying should come into view for the student. Most often there are odd problems answered in the back of the book. DO THOSE PROBLEMS!!! It is VERY important that the students get feedback so that they can know if they are solving the problems correctly. That feedback comes from trying to solve the problem and seeing if you get the correct answer (shown in the back of the book). Getting the right answer isn't the important part... the PROCESS or following the right steps to get the right answer is what's important.
If you come to a problem that you are having great difficulty with, save that problem to ask your teacher or tutor about. Do NOT forget that problem or ignore it because it is important that you understand it before moving too much farther in the book.
By solving as many problems as you can, you will be very prepared for the exams and quizzes that the teacher will give you in class.
Yes, this takes a lot of time. Often this can take an hour or two per day (more difficult topics/levels might require more time) for each subject... At least 5 days of the week.
#3 Do NOT Use a Tutor For Cheating!
If you rely on a tutor to give you answers, you will not do very good on the exams and quizzes. Your homework grades may improve quite a bit if you do this, but your exam scores will suffer and your grade will not improve. Using a tutor for cheating is a bad idea.
#4 Is Your Tutor Experienced?
The experience of the tutor is important. Credentials are also important, but not as much. If the tutor does not seem to be helping you, then you should either get another tutor or try something different in your study habbits.
Often for the more basic levels, a tutor with a degree is not necessary. For example if a student is studying basic math or introductory algebra, you might consider hiring a high school or college student with no degree, as long as they can explain the material and communicate well. This will save you a great deal of money!
#5 $hop Around!
Tutors cost money, and sometimes they charge up to $50 per hour! (I only charge $15 to $20). You should expect a higher cost if the material is difficult or requires a degree. A professional with a degree typically earns $30 to $50 per hour working in industry. Tutoring is also an "industry" and the tutor has to earn a living. More metropolitan areas typically have higher rates also. But SHOP AROUND for someone to give you a good price!
Tutoring companies often will hire tutors who do not have degrees and they pay their tutors very little. As a result tutoring companies do not always provide good tutors (if the tutor was good, they would strike out on their own!). With a private tutor, you run a slight risk of the tutor not having a background check, etc. But as long as you and the tutor understand that you are to ALWAYS MEET IN A PUBLIC PLACE, you should be quite safe. ASK FOR REFERENCES!
#6
I'll repeat this, b/c it's important: ALWAYS MEET IN A PUBLIC PLACE! That's for the protection of the student AND the tutor.
I can't think of much else to say. If you have any questions you can email me at "mdavidroth AT yahoo.com" (I leave out the @ because I don't want a live link on my email address -- to avoid spam).
--David Roth
http://www.tutor-homework.com
(Lots of FREE math and science tools on the website.)
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