Is tutoring worth it? (1 Viewer)

[The Savior]

Hi everyone, a friend of mine who is currently doing the HSC is looking for people's opinions on the importance of tutoring. I have never had tutoring personally so I told him I will ask around. What does everybody think? Does it help to a sufficient degree? I mean let's face it, HSC students generally don't have any form of income so it's pretty much parents who have to pay for it. Is it fair to ask them to pay $50 for an hour of tutoring, which can really add up if you are receiving tutoring for several subjects a week. He also wants to know if it's better to go with a tutoring company or ex- HSC students. He seems to have his doubts over students who are fresh out of high school charging $40-$50 an hour for tutoring since his parents don't even earn those rates. Some honest opinions from people who have had tutoring would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Drongoski]

Different people have tuition for different reasons.

If you are capable of self-study and can achieve your full potential performance, then tutoring is not necessary. Some students, on their own, are already capable of doing very well, like getting 92 or so, but still want tutoring to get the extra edge, especially if they are vying for a place in a highly competitive course like Medicine. Of course there are many who are doing just so so or are struggling, for a variety of reasons. If they are not doing too well because they don't have good teachers, then getting alternative help is understandable. Often the teachers are ok, but, for whatever reasons, the students are not doing ok - in which case tutoring may help.

Some students want to go to top tutoring centres since such centres appear to be able to deliver great results. But I think one has to be careful; if one is already good, going to such centres can boost one's performance even further. On the other hand, if you are just so so or are struggling, going to such centres isn't going to help. Such students need more personalised 1-on-1 help.

Tutoring is not cheap; some are cheaper than others, obviously. If one's family finances isn't that great, then having a tutor is a great financial burden - students in such cases should be mindful of the financial burden they are placing on their parents; if they can self-study, all the better.

I sometimes joke that I can't afford my own rates.

 

[turntaker]

no

 

[RenegadeMx]

yes

 

[BLIT2014]

Depends.

 

[BandSixFix]

I'm personally anti-tutoring. Waste of money and time.

 

[The Savior]

Ok judging by everyone's reactions, tutoring is not absolutely essential and is most beneficial for students who are struggling. However, it is quite alarming how many of the top performing kids actually attend tutoring. For instance, I spoke to a former james ruse student who admitted that he attended tutoring for several subjects during year 12 and that roughly 90% of his year were involved in some kind of extra tuition. I think that it's fair to say james ruse students are some of the most capable in the state so one could question whether tutoring actually provides them with an extra edge on top of their innate abilities. I suppose it's what happens when a large proportion of selective school students originate from a high socioeconomic background and have parents who aim to continue such tradition no matter the cost. Not attacking anyone here but I think these tiger parents should really cut their kids some slack and introduce them to life beyond education.

 

[Drongoski]

Ok judging by everyone's reactions, tutoring is not absolutely essential and is most beneficial for students who are struggling. However, it is quite alarming how many of the top performing kids actually attend tutoring. For instance, I spoke to a former james ruse student who admitted that he attended tutoring for several subjects during year 12 and that roughly 90% of his year were involved in some kind of extra tuition. I think that it's fair to say james ruse students are some of the most capable in the state so one could question whether tutoring actually provides them with an extra edge on top of their innate abilities. I suppose it's what happens when a large proportion of selective school students originate from a high socioeconomic background and have parents who aim to continue such tradition no matter the cost. Not attacking anyone here but I think these tiger parents should really cut their kids some slack and introduce them to life beyond education.

In a super-competitive school like Ruse, students are scared of falling behind their peers who receive tutoring. So it becomes a self-perpetuating thing. They go to XYZ coaching centre. If I don't go to XYZ or an even better centre, I may be disadvantaged. So many bright students, fully capable of E4 without tutoring are pressured into tutoring.

 

[girlyoudontknow]

No, it depends on the person. In my opinion I think its not worth it
Go by tutoring centre if he chooses to go tutoring

 

[HeroicPandas]

No, it depends on the person. In my opinion I think its not worth it
Go by tutoring centre if he chooses to go tutoring

Please do share your opinion on why you think tutoring is not worth it. I am very interested.

 

[Bredley5]

I think tutoring is the good option for those who wants to improve their skills.They can get some advice from specialists and in case they do some mistakes, tutors are able to fix it.

 

[Fizzy_Cyst]

Yes,

Personally, I believe it does help, especially if the student is willing to work hard.

It's like having a textbook for mathematics. No textbook does each and every single topic in a manner which you understand, different textbooks do different things well (unless it's MiF), it's always good to get another perspective or another way of explaining things.

Good tutors do just that, they break things down in a way which may be easier to understand for students. The tutor may explain something in a manner which explains it better than the teacher. Then likewise, a teacher will explain something better than the tutor.

What I'm staying is, if you have multiple, qualified educational experts giving you different perspectives and problem solving skills etc.. Then it is more likely that one of them will work for you.