Many students are looking for academic support as they make their way through school. Maybe there are a few things you are struggling with, or perhaps you need a lot of help. Maybe you’re looking to expand your selection of college choices or prepare for the academic workload you’ll encounter when starting college or university. Whatever the reason, many students turn to resources that offer online homework help and online tutoring. Students can get tutoring online or in person, but are these resources identical? Although it may seem so at first, actually, this is not the case.

What is Homework Help?

Homework help involves receiving help with a specific assignment or project – e.g. homework that is not a test, but rather a project or paper. It can be related to a simple overnight assignment, or these services can help the student complete a larger project that has been assigned weeks or months in advance. As long as the teacher has provided straightforward instructions, the only remaining focus is how an academic helper should direct the student to complete the project.

For example, let’s say that Lindsay has to write an essay about the Civil War for her history class. This type of project is something that homework help would generally be designed for. A deadline has been assigned, and, hopefully, the instructions have been made clear by the instructor. The tutor providing the help will do their best to coach Lindsay through the assignment while also ensuring that Lindsay better understands how to complete similar assignments in the future.

Note that this type of help is geared towards the completion of an assignment as opposed to studying for tests.

What is Tutoring?

Tutoring is more general and long-lasting in nature. Online tutoring does not focus on any specific assignments, but more so to gain an overall understanding of the subject matter. For example, a tutor may help a student learn a subject such as trigonometry or English, over an extended period of time. One of the most significant benefits of having a tutor is receiving improved knowledge in a general sense. This service should improve grades on a specific assignment and raise grades as far as the bigger is concerned.

Tutors generally help at regular intervals. Sessions can take place once a day, once a week, once every two weeks, once a month, or at different intervals, including irregular planned sessions. For some, tutoring sessions would be best grouped together around quieter times when you don’t have so much going on.

Perhaps Matt has his sights set on receiving at least one acceptance to an Ivy League school but is concerned that his math grades may not be high enough to get him into a top-notch school. A tutor providing regular sessions over a long time period will help Matt improve his overall math skills, translating to improved test and assignment results.

Online Versus In-Person Tutoring

Another significant difference between tutoring types is whether sessions are done in person or online. In-person tutoring is known to some as using the old-fashioned method and involves either the tutor coming to the student’s house or meeting at a different location, such as a library or coffee shop. Online tutoring consists of the tutor and student working from their location, which is very convenient and avoids the need to travel.

More and more people are turning to online tutoring as opposed to in-person tutoring. Benefits include avoiding the need to pay transportation costs. This can also bring together students and tutors from great distances, allowing greater access to the best tutors. Another benefit is that students can hire online tutors on short notice. An additional advantage that has become more important to many in recent times is the elimination of any risk of contracting illnesses such as  COVID-19 while engaging in sessions.

Which Option Is For You?

There are many factors to consider as you decide whether you would like an in-person or online tutor. Do you expect this to be a single occurrence connected with completing an assignment or two over a semester, or would you like to have a tutor for a longer-term? Simply put, are you looking for short-term academic support or a long-term plan for success in school? You will need to decide if online help or in-person assistance would best fit your learning style and other needs.

We feel that online tutoring is a great option that offers flexibility and affordability.

Our team of tutors are highly educated and prepared to help you accomplish all of your goals!

Train the Brain is dedicated to providing world-class service at a price anyone can afford. If you’re looking for online tutoring services or homework help, sign up for an account or call us at 888-299-3506 for more information.