The Benefits of High School Tutoring

Sometimes, no matter how good the education system is, classroom learning just doesn’t go far enough.

From subjects increasing in their complexity and a more demanding workload, to limited one–on–one time and distracting or disruptive peers, there are many reasons why a student might struggle in high school in a way they didn’t in primary school.

This is why high school tutoring can be so beneficial.

Whether it’s to show them how to streamline their study habits and better prepare for exams, or even just to assist them with de–stressing and prioritising taking breaks, a high school tutor is a great support at a time where students are nearing the pointy end of their school life and the start of the rest of their life.

Keep reading for our top 4 reasons why high school tutoring could be a helpful tool for your teenager…

1. Study Skills

Once a student enters the high school system, homework becomes a much more prevalent part of their routine. Although it’s often approached begrudgingly, it’s an important study tool that will set them up for the next 6 years and be invaluable in the lead up to assignments and tests.

Homework means students are self–learning and taking responsibility for their own education. They can review the set coursework and put their memory and knowledge retention to the test to see if they have been paying close enough attention in the classroom.

It’s also a great opportunity to practice good time management, which is a useful habit to establish and take all the way through school and into tertiary study or the workforce.

For both teachers and parents, homework is a good indicator of how a student is tracking and to see where they might be falling behind (as well as where they are doing well, of course, and congratulating them on that).

High school tutoring gives students the chance to prioritise, pace and structure their at–home learning. Their tutor will help them stay engaged and encouraged, guide them through difficult tasks and suggest more efficient ways of studying.

2. Exam Preparation

Taking tests is another big component of high school life. Be it a SAC score or an ATAR, fractions and percentage results will soon become the only way of assessing a student’s progress and comparing them to their peers.

The final two years of school – years 11 and 12 – are the most challenging and demanding, as students gear up to undertake their end of year exams (VCE or VCAL in Victoria, HSC in New South Wales, QCE or QCIA in Queensland, SACE in South Australia, WACE in Western Australia, NTCE in the Northern Territory, TCE in Tasmania and SSC in the ACT.

So this is often when engaging a passionate and supportive tutor makes the most sense.

Proper preparation in the lead up to anything from a graded oral presentation to a 2 hour exam will help a student focus the mind and draw on everything they’ve learnt. From English, Maths, Science and Humanities, to Health, Languages, Technologies and the Arts – high school tutors will help teenage students of all abilities reach their full potential.

Exam tutoring is all about developing good levels of concentration and confidence at a time where feelings of anxiety and overwhelment can threaten to derail the day.

3. Breaks and Balance

Speaking of anxiety, it’s important to note that tutors aren’t only there to reinforce classroom learning and hammer home good homework habits. They’re not just highly qualified, but also highly perceptive, and can sense “burnout” from a mile away.

Burnout (a term used to describe physical, mental and emotional exhaustion) happens when students begin to feel stress and frustration over school work, and it can often manifest as disinterest, disengagement and in extreme cases, depression.

This is why blocking out time to relax and recharge should be a crucial part of a teenager’s routine, and although high school tutoring sounds counterproductive to this, it can actually be the opposite.

Planning availabilities and expectations with a tutor is a great way for a student to take control of their emotions, and they can make time to talk about things other than school, such as their extracurricular activities, part–time jobs, hobbies and friends.

Online lessons can be broken down into easy to digest segments to reduce feelings of intensity or pressure, and student’s are encouraged to say no to taking on new tasks or to say when they have reached capacity. Tutors will also remind them to always take frequent breaks and reach out for support when needed.

4. Career Counselling

Another benefit of high school tutoring is being able to talk about life after school.

Some students want to enter the workforce or take a breather and go on a gap year, but there are others who prefer to stay in the education system and continue their studies.

If they’re keen to go on to University or TAFE – and especially if they have a specific course in mind – they should start a conversation with their tutor about what subjects they need to be focusing on the most to get them to where they want to go. 

All tutors are practicing teachers, so they too have gone through the same academic journey and will have good guidance, experience and feedback to share. A tutor can easily double as a career counsellor / coach and help their student choose career paths and options based on their skill sets, as well as recommend tools and resources for development and growth post graduation.

ThriveTutors is an Australian online tutoring platform created to suit students from Prep to Year 12. Contact us today for more information about our services!