Is being a tutor worth it? Six advantages of tutoring
Tutoring while you’re at university is rewarding but it’s also a big time commitment. So is it worth becoming a tutor? CTI tutor Ruksana explains the key advantages of tutoring, and why she’s loved doing it.
Being a tutor comes with many benefits, both for your and the students you’re working with. When I started tutoring recently, I was apprehensive becauseI hadn’t tutored in quite a long time. However, it’s now one of the highlights of my week!
“Knowing that you are making a difference to someone else’s life, however big or small, is such a rewarding feeling”
If you’re looking for real-world experience where you can also make a big difference to young people’s lives, tutoring might be the best way to spend your spare time!
Here are the key reasons you should get into tutoring:
Flexibility
One of the great things about tutoring is that it is really flexible, so you can organise sessions that fit your timetable. You get to be your own boss, and there are no five hour shifts to get in the way of studying or relaxing.I work alongside my studies, so it is really important to me to have the flexibility to tutor so that I can still fulfil my tutoring role whilst also making all of my other commitments.
Gain new skills
Tutoring enables you to gain many skills which will be desirable for future employers. These include empathy, communication, organisation, efficiency and time management. And of course you can put this down on your CV - after all, tutoring is great work experience!
Make a difference
But of course, it’s not all about your CV! I feel like a proud mum when I talk about how much progress my students have made - but it’s true!
Watching my students improve and grow week by week by taking on the feedback I’ve given them is satisfying and fulfilling. Knowing that you are making a difference to someone else’s life, however big or small, is such a rewarding feeling.
Communication
As a tutor you need an excellent level of communication so you can clearly convey your expectations and address any issues.
You also need to think about the words you use. Your language should be simple enough that they can understand the content, and also inclusive to ensure they feel valued.
Tutoring has allowed me to develop my communication skills and articulate my points clearly so that my students understand me, allowing both of us to reap the maximum benefit from lessons. This can help you grow as a person and improve your confidence.
Improve your organisation
It is essential for tutors to be well-organised, given the need to balance tutoring alongside your other commitments.Since starting tutoring, I have honed my organisational skills to make sure that my schedule doesn’t clash and that I still have enough time for myself, whilst also planning the best possible sessions for my students.
You learn from them too!
Tutoring is not a one-way street - it’s about dialogue and mutual exchange of thoughts, ideas, and questions. My students ask me questions as well, which I sometimes don’t know the answers to - and that’s okay!
I’m proud to say that I’ve learnt from them too, and they ask questions that make me think and reflect. Whether they are concerned with the events of the Russian Revolution or the impact of psychological research on contemporary society, the discussions from our sessions are fascinating.
Are you interested in becoming a tutor? With CTI, you can set aside just one hour a week to help a disadvantaged student reach their potential.