3rd December 2009 9:00
By Blue Tutors
There are many reasons that affect someone’s decision to begin tutoring, but it’s become clear that there are certain situations that lend themselves to the role of being a tutor.
There are many current undergraduates who see tutoring as the perfect job to do alongside their studies. It can work very well because undergraduates are still very much involved in academia, and have recently studied the qualifications that they are tutoring. Also, some students are more comfortable with a tutor who is closer to their own age; they sometimes find it easier to communicate and get on generally with a younger tutor. However, there is a major drawback for undergraduates, and that is the difficulty in committing to a student. Most undergrads travel between university and their family home during the academic year, and if these two places are far apart then it makes it difficult to regularly meet with a student. It can also work well though, because some students only want lessons during their own school holidays, and then an undergraduate can usually see them as much as is needed.
The majority of tutors have already graduated when they begin tutoring. The reasons for wanting to tutor are then very varied. Some tutors may be studying further degrees or qualifications (such as the GDL or LPC), and need a source of income whilst completing their students. Other tutors may be starting a career where they need extra work at the start e.g. actors or entrepreneurs. On the other hand, for many tutors it is simply something to do while they decide what to do with their lives. It’s enjoyable, pays well, and offers the flexibility to do spend time researching the next stage of a tutor’s life.
The best reason for becoming a tutor is because it’s something which you really want to do, and thankfully this is the case for a great number of tutors. So many people begin their job and miss the challenge and satisfaction they received while studying, and tuition gives these people a link to something which otherwise wouldn’t be in their lives. It’s very common for a tutor to teach one student once a week from September until the student’s exams in June, and it’s this type relationship that generally offers the best reward for both tutor and student.