About Tutoring
When to seek a tutor
- When you need to learn time management and study skills at the beginning of the term
- When you need help understanding the homework
- When you need help understanding concepts and ideas
- When you need help to prepare for a test
- When you are falling behind
What to bring to a tutoring session
- The textbook
- Notes, syllabus, past tests and quizzes
- Homework or difficult problems
What NOT to ask a tutor
- Don't ask a tutor to do the work for you. Learning is a process and working is an integral part of it. If you don't work you won't learn.
- Don't procrastinate. A tutor will not cram with you. A tutor's help isn't enough to learn in one evening what should have taken a month of methodic work. Tutors will complement your work, provide you hints, suggestions etc. but will not replace good, honest, hard work.
Good attitudes towards tutoring
- Try your best to understand the material before coming to tutoring.
- Be an active student in class. Ask questions; participate in class, etc. Many questions can be asked right there and then to the instructor.
- Read your syllabus. Understand what's expected of you in each class, make sure you write down and remember deadlines and other special dates. Get help from a tutor before you run into difficulties.
- Your instructor is your best resource. Try asking your instructor first, as soon as a question occurs to you. Bring those responses to the tutor in case you didn't quite understand them.
- Form and maintain a study group.
Tutee Expectations
- Come prepared to the session.
- Be punctual.
- Be active and engaged throughout the session.
- Be patient with the process.
- Be willing to ask questions.
- Provide constructive, honest feedback.
- Respect others.
Tutor Expectations
- Excellent interpersonal skills: interactive, communicative, supportive, positive, responsive, respectful of others.
- Good know how of the subject matter.
- Understanding of diverse student learning styles.
- Time for reflection.
- Time with students, for meetings, prep time.
- Honest feedback of sessions.
- Know the boundaries of working with students.
- Knowledgeable of campus resources and refer students accordingly.
- Serve as a liaison for class members who have questions that they are not comfortable asking a faculty member.
- Aid in understanding of Lucas College and Graduate School of Business programs and place value on developing academic skills.
- Follow the policies and regulations regarding student behaviors as stated in the SJSU Student Handbook.
