In tutoring sessions, one of the most valuable learning tools is a student’s past mistakes. Instead of brushing over them quickly, I make it a point to go back and review where the error happened and why.

Many students see mistakes as something negative, but I try to show them that mistakes are actually opportunities. If we only focus on the questions they got right, we miss the chance to fix the misunderstandings that could come up again in exams.

When a student makes an error, I guide them through the problem step by step and ask questions like, “Where do you think it went wrong?” or “What could we try differently?” This way, they learn how to spot and correct their own mistakes instead of waiting for someone else to tell them.

I also keep a record of common errors. Over time, students start to notice patterns in their mistakes, whether it is misreading the question, forgetting units, or skipping a step in working out. Recognising these patterns helps them avoid repeating them.

Reviewing mistakes takes a little extra time, but it leads to long-term improvement. By turning errors into lessons, students become more resilient and confident in their maths skills.

James Valiozis