28th August 2015 10:00
By Blue Tutors
For tutors who teach A level, this time of year can be both busy and stressful. It’s easy to assume that after the hectic rush to prepare students in time for exams, helping with revision and setting practice papers, tutors can now relax as their job is done. Whilst tutors are no longer working long hours helping their students prepare for these important exams, their concerns are not over, and neither is their work. Having spent months or in some cases a year or more working with their students, tutors are understandably invested in their students’ results, and will also be eagerly anticipating the news. Further, when that news does come, tutors often still have a part to play.
If students have got the results they wanted and have secured a university place, then usually all that remains is for tutors to wish them well and perhaps offer a few tips on beginning university. However, if students have not secured the results they wanted, or are still in the process of securing university places, there is much for tutors to do. Firstly, if the results for the tutor’s subject were not as expected it can be difficult to offer advice. However, if the student contacts the tutor for advice it is important that the tutor makes themselves available; the let-down will be all the greater if tutors are suddenly nowhere to be seen when things don’t go to plan.
It is particularly important to remain friendly and professional under these circumstances. Much as tutors might want to commiserate with their students, it won’t help them to join in cries about how unfair everything is, or to stoke panic. Tutors should work practically in situations such as this, ensuring that students are aware of their options for contacting universities, resits and, if necessary, clearing. Schools are extremely busy at this time of year, and parents may not have the necessary knowledge to help students act quickly when things don’t go according to plan. Whether the results are as hoped or not, tutors should be making themselves available for advice over the coming weeks.