Parent’s Guide to Tutoring: Recent Episodes
StudySquare Ltd
Parent’s Guide to Tutoring provides families with ideas and insights about how tutoring can help students with their preparation for GCSE, A-level, Nat5 and Higher exams.
A parent recently asked me why their child's revision percentiles were going down, and I realised that this is a common concern among parents of students preparing for GCSE, A-level and Nat5 exams. At StudySquare, we understand how important it is to monitor a student's progress, so in this episode, I'll explain what decreasing scores could mean and how to address them.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
As someone who had to balance my studies with various extracurricular activities, such as dance and swimming, I know what it's like to have gaps in learning. I was often absent from school for weeks for science schools and olympiads, and I had to find ways to ensure I was still on track with my studies. In this episode, we will cover several key topics, including dealing with absences due to illness or extracurricular activities and maximising the benefits of tutoring.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
In this episode, we discuss three ways to collect more marks in your GCSE, A-level or Nat5 exams. As someone who has earned the highest scores possible in 4 of my 6 final secondary exams, I have some valuable insights. So let's see how you can get more marks on exam day!
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Exam season can be stressful for students and parents, but supporting your child as they prepare for their GCSE or A-level exams is essential. Providing support and encouragement can help your child feel confident and motivated during this crucial period and ultimately lead to better results. In this episode, we will outline some effective ways you can support your child in their exam revision and help them get the best possible results.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
As a tutor at StudySquare, I often see families come to us for help after receiving their mock exam results. These exams are typically marked at the end of January. They can be a wake-up call for many students and their families, who may have up to 5 months to improve their performance before the actual GCSE, A-level or Nat5 exams.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Preparation for exams can be challenging, but the value of scientific knowledge goes beyond assessments. It can help you do well on your exams and give you a better understanding of how the world works. This episode will explore three main subjects you can use to understand better and improve our everyday lives.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Families commonly consider hiring a tutor to help with exam preparation. However, I'm here to tell you that you might not need one! Don't get me wrong, tutors can be an excellent resource for some students, but they're not always necessary. Keep reading this episode to find out why.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
It can be stressful and overwhelming to juggle classes, extracurricular activities, and exam preparation. Therefore, I want to share how our resources and tutoring can make exam preparation easier. This episode will cover free and paid tools you can use heading towards exams.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
The competition among UCAS applications can be fierce. With so many qualified applicants, making sure your UCAS application stands out from the crowd is essential. Following this episode's tips, you can craft a robust, compelling UCAS application that showcases your unique talents and interests. So, what are the three steps to creating a great UCAS application?
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Failing exams can have serious consequences, including financial and emotional costs that can last for years. This episode will look at the potential costs of failing exams and provide tips on how to succeed.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Mock exams can be a crucial stepping stone to exam success, providing a valuable opportunity to practice and prepare. But you must follow the proper steps to prepare for your mock exams to avoid being in for a rude awakening when you see your results. Thankfully, unpleasant scenarios can be avoided by following these three steps to prepare for mock exams.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Exam failure can have consequences that last for years, but the good news is that it's often preventable. In this episode, we'll look at seven common mistakes that can cause exam failure and how to avoid them.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Many students start tutoring without much prior preparation. This might work well before the first few lessons. But they can lose a lot of value without using available tools to prepare for tutoring sessions. In this episode we will consider how to setup student’s workspace before a lesson with a tutor. We will then discuss the importance of homework. Also, we will explain how parents can track the performance of their child.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Prelims are mock exams taken by students in Scotland. They are usually used when preparing for National 5 and Higher qualifications. The preparation for subjects at both of these levels usually takes a year. Thus, prelims are quite early in the academic year. These mock exams are great opportunity to get more information about a student. It can also provide motivation for students to revise already covered topics. In this episode we will go through the ways to prepare for upcoming prelims. We will then mention how to use information from prelims to improve your child's studies.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
From time to time you may need to reschedule your lessons with a tutor. Parents are not always sure about how to approach changes in tutoring sessions. After requesting a change in lessons some parents find themselves having long conversations. Messaging backwards and forwards can then help finding a new time slot. Knowing standard practices within the tutoring industry can save time in such situations. In this episode we will cover the ways to reschedule tutoring sessions depending on a notice. We will also suggest how to to communicate your request and availability to your tutor.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Exams consist of many different topics. Trying to learn or revise them all at the same time can be challenging. Thus, teachers and tutors, introduce concepts in smaller batches. This reduces the amount of material students need to learn at a time. Yet, during exam preparation solving questions from various topics is important too. In this episode, we will discuss when to do so, and why initial separation of topics is important. We will then suggest ways to practice different exam topics.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Some parents book lessons and expect a tutor to prepare their child for upcoming exams. And it is fare ask. Expert tutors use systems to achieve tutoring objectives by communicating with their students. But there is more value that parents can add to tutoring if they communicate well with a tutor. In this episode we will consider why it is important for a parent to converse with a tutor. We will also mention ways to make the communication efficient and consistent.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
There are many tools that allow us to compare the performance of our children to others. They help us make decisions on career choices, motivate students, reward high achievers. Yet, it is not always easy to find this information up until the exams. This makes it difficult to decide on exam choices a few years in advance. In this episode we will explain why does comparing matter and where to get this information from. We will then suggest ways to make decisions after comparing your child's performance.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Soon after the academic year starts we have an autumn break. It is common to go on a holiday during this time since children do not have to be at school. Thus, during an autumn break students can relax and reset before further learning. They can also use this holiday time to catch up with topics that they have been struggling with. In this episode we will discuss how students can use autumn break to improve their learning. We will then mention ways to use existing information to request extra support.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
It is quite common for students to ask their tutors for help with homework. Thus, some tutors solve homework questions with their students. Many reputable tutoring providers are against this type of support. They argue that students should do homework by themselves. If students want to succeed in homework, they can feel conflicted. Tutors could help them with homework, but is this ok? In this episode we will consider possible ways to approach this dilemma. We will suggest how students can succeed in homework with the help of a tutor in an ethical way.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
When parents start thinking about booking tutoring sessions, one of the major decisions they have to make is the frequency of lessons. This can make a huge impact on the student and their preparation for exams. Booking too few sessions can result in your child not getting enough support. Booking too many sessions can dilute lessons and make learning process less interesting. In this episode we will go through the factors that you can consider while making the decision about the frequency of tutoring sessions and why some of them could be more levant in your case.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Some parents think that the information provided at school and during tutoring sessions is not enough and they look for additional resources to improve the learning process. Nowadays you find them in so many places: at book shops, libraries, online websites, which makes it even more difficult to make a decision on the most suitable option. Each of them have some benefits to offer and can suit a particular group of students better than others. In this episode we will go through the differences between the resources that students could use to enhance their preparation for exams.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
I feel that it is such a common practice not to have an exam revision strategy that apparently, to be organised is becoming exceptional. You will occasionally hear about families trying to do their best to fill in the gaps in their child’s knowledge just a few weeks or months before the exams; teachers organising last-minute revision sessions and students becoming increasingly stressed about the amount of material that needs to be covered. I believe that quite a few stressors arriving from the exams can be avoided by having a rigid plan. In this episode we will go through the possible components of an exam revision strategy so that you would be able to quickly pick the ones that work for you.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
You may think that when you hire a tutor, they just deliver the lessons and that’s the most value you can get out of the service. However, I would argue that there is so much more that your child might find useful while preparing for their exams. These techniques might not be relevant to all subjects but from my experience they are commonly applicable for Maths and Science tutoring. In this episode we will explore the ways you can prepare for a lesson, use homework, lessons reports and additional resources to improve the learning experience of your child.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Let’s be honest, many students start exam revision a few months or just a few weeks before the exams. And to some extent they are encouraged to do so by their peers and the way the learning process is set up. Now if there was an option for your child to start revision early, would it even be worth? It might feel counterintuitive to go against the norm and start exam revision a year or two in advance. I don’t think so. I have seen way too many times families desperately trying to fill in the gaps in a child’s knowledge just weeks before exams, which is why I am a huge advocate of starting exam revision early. In this episode we will go through the advantages of a long term revision and we will also mention examples of when it might be unnecessary.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
Some think that it is good enough to have several sessions here and there in a few weeks leading up to the exams. Others consider starting tutoring early to be of a high importance. How do we know what’s the best approach in your case? What are the factors that determine the start time? What are common practices between parents? These are the questions that we answer in this episode.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
There’s a plethora of options available to supplement your child’s learning. Two of them are one-to-one tutoring and group lessons. Although both might be providing quite similar content, they couldn’t be more different when you look deeper into the details. In this episode we will go through the advantages that both of these learning methods have to offer and will help you pick an option the most suitable to your needs.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy
When you decide to proceed with tutoring, where do you actually find a tutor? Some families are lucky to know a relevant tutor already as they might have hired them before for a different child. However, this is not the case in many situations when we have to go through a few steps to find a great tutor. In this episode we will consider several ways you could find a private tutor and explore the reasons why one of them could be the best match for you personally.
Resources:
• Online tutoring: https://www.studysquare.co.uk
• Exam Revision Guide: https://www.studysquare.co.uk/pdf
• Podcast Privacy policy: https://www.spreaker.com/privacy