What to do if you encounter these typical tutoring problems:
A student that is not prepared or is showing little effort
Students may be unprepared at first because they don’t understand what tutoring is all about. If a student appears unprepared or shows little effort, explain the responsibilities and role of a tutor. The student needs to make a commitment to show some real effort. Try not to give too much information before a student has attempted the problem in question. It is OK to ask a student to leave and come back when they are more prepared.
An angry student or one who is overly demanding
Some students might get very frustrated and even angry if they don’t understand your explanations or can’t apply your suggestions. Be patient. Try analyzing the concept or task in more detail to see where the problem really occurs. Go back to basics. Try another method. Share your responsibilities and general goals as a peer tutor and just how far you can go in helping.
A student whose academic difficulties appear to be more extensive than just that one course or than you can cope with
Please refer them to Mrs. Schuessler, Lisa, or Bryan. They may need some additional tutoring in other areas, or may need to be tested for learning disabilities.
A student that is becoming too dependent
If you feel your student is becoming over-dependent on you or you are too involved with their needs, begin by reviewing your responsibilities and goals with them. This explanation might help him/her to see the limits of your job as a peer tutor. Remember that as a tutor you must learn how to maintain professional objectivity.
A student that complains about the professor
Don’t allow a session to become a complaint fest. You may need to take some time to calm down a student or discuss their options, but quickly refocus on the tutoring tasks. Don’t share your personal feelings about faculty members.
A student asks a content question that you are not certain how to answer.
Ask for help from Lisa or Bryan. It is understandable that there will be material that you are unfamiliar with or not completely sure of. It happens to the best of us and sometimes it helps students to see that the answers aren’t always automatic.