The availability of highly qualified, expert tutors and the flexibility and convenience of sessions has made online tutoring grow in popularity. It makes sense! If you can avoid driving to a tutoring session and take care of your learning wherever you have an internet connection, it’s hard to think of a reason to do anything else.

One-on-one online tutoring or homework help from Train The Brain is a great way to catch up with or get ahead in your classes. But how can you be sure to get the most out of your tutoring sessions? Here are some easy tips to do just that.

Come Prepared

You plan your session ahead of time, so there are a few things you can do to be sure you’re prepared to meet with your personal tutor. Be sure to put your appointment in your calendar and set some notifications so that you log in on time for your scheduled session. You want to get all the time you can out of your time with your tutor, so being on time will make sure you have time to cover everything you need.

Be sure to come with questions ready. Rather than having an idea that “I don’t understand Algebra,” it’s a good idea to have an idea of what specific skills you’re struggling with. If you need help understanding dependent and independent clauses in English class, then you’ll want to express that to your tutor as well. Having a specific focus for each session will help you zero in on the skills you want to improve on.

Have a way to take notes ready as well. You can review your session again afterwards, but being prepared to jot down key ideas or work out problems will save you some time during your session as well. Instead of having to walk away to go search for a paper and pencil, you’ll be able to use the one-on-one time with your tutor to get the help you need.

Take Notes

Speaking of notes, take them! Writing down processes, concepts, or steps helps your brain connect with the subject. Drawing a diagram or labeling the parts of a flow chart will make additional, important connections between what you hear, what you see, and what you are doing. Involving different parts of yourself and being active while in the session will help everything come together for you. 

Being active during the session means that you’re not just listening to your tutor talk. By taking notes, you will be forced to think about what they are saying to make sure it’s clear to you or if you need them to explain something a little bit (or a lot!) more.

Ask Questions

While you’re interacting with what your tutor is explaining, this should lead you to asking questions. Because you’re in an individual session with your tutor, you don’t have to worry about what anyone thinks of you like you might during class. Your tutor knows you’re there to get some help, and they have chosen to work with you because they understand the subject area and want to help you understand it, too. So don’t hesitate to express when something they say is unclear or if you need them to explain it in a different way. They are happy to break down the content in as small of chunks as you need! 

Every small explanation and breakthrough adds up the big “AHA!” moment when the thing you were struggling with finally clicks. That’s what you’re working toward, so ask questions to help your tutor get you there.

Review the Session

When you leave your session and sit down to work on your own, take advantage of your chance to review the recorded session. You might find steps you missed in your notes or hear a tip that you missed during your session. The more you review, the clearer concepts will become for you. 

Another benefit of reviewing your tutoring session is the chance to write down additional questions that pop up. You know how it works: you are working with the tutor and everything seems clear; then you start to work on your own and everything is a jumble! We’ve all experienced that moment. Instead of allowing yourself to be defeated, that’s when it’s time to rewatch your session and write down any questions you have for the next time you meet with your tutor.

Online tutoring is a wonderful advantage to have. With experienced tutors from all around the country available to you, you can get the best help available just by logging in. Taking full advantage of every one of your sessions will help you make the progress you need to build your confidence and experience the success you’re looking for.

Train the Brain

With online tutoring and homework help from TTB, you not only get the training and confidence boost your need, but you also avoid the added stressors to your schedule. You can access your sessions anywhere you have internet. Still have questions? Feel free to reach out! Our support team will be happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect solution to your academic needs.