The Impact of Tutoring & Mentoring on Learning

According to the Cambridge dictionary, a tutor is “a teacher who teaches a child outside of school, especially in order to give the child extra help with a subject he or she finds difficult” and a mentor is “a person who gives a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time”. As we can see, this opens up the possibility for good tutors to mirror as effective mentors. And subsequently, can help the student grow not only on their specific academic struggles but as a whole. 

Mentoring gives people a positive relationship and someone to look up to and learn from.

Mentor-Mentee relationships can come in many different forms, whether it be a Teacher and Student, Veteran and ’Newbie’ or even a more casual relationship with someone you can learn from and then grow together. 

These relationships work by both parties having shared goals and priorities, where one will share their wisdom with the other. 

How a good Tutor-Student relationship can impact your learning:

When it comes to tutoring, the student feels like they are no longer alone through their struggle, as their tutor is genuinely there to help them through. 

A tutor can bring a new perspective to the subject you are struggling with. From the one-on-one or small group attention that the student receives, the tutor is able to really understand where the help is needed. Whether it be specifically the content the student is struggling with or understanding other issues holding the student back. 

Personally, when I was in Year 12, my English tutor taught me how to be accountable for my work and encouraged me to put the effort into English that I required. My main struggle with VCE English was the time management and motivation to actually sit down and write the essays. Having my English tutor there who had expectations of me was a major motivator. Whenever I had an off week and didn’t feel like studying, having my scheduled tutoring session forced me to designate an hour of my time to that subject. Therefore, not only was my tutor teaching me the specific English skills I needed, but promoted good study habits that I still use today. 

Having a tutor who doubles as a mentor makes learning enjoyable and inspiring. 

“Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.” — Denzel Washington

- Kat