When it comes to tutoring, I’ve realised there’s no one “perfect” way to help someone learn. Every student is different, so I’ve ended up building a little toolbox of simple strategies that make sessions smoother, less stressful, and more fun.
The first thing I always try to do is keep the session feeling relaxed. If a student walks in feeling overwhelmed, nothing is going to stick. When the atmosphere is calm and casual, they’re way more open to asking questions or admitting when they’re confused.
Another strategy I use is focusing on small wins. Instead of trying to conquer a whole topic in one go, I break things down into tiny steps. When students start ticking off those little successes, their confidence shoots up. And once they feel confident, they learn faster without even realising it.
I also like to mix things up. Sometimes we talk through a problem, sometimes we draw it out, and sometimes we go through examples together. Switching up the approach keeps their brain awake and stops the session from feeling like a chore. Plus, it helps them figure out what kind of learner they actually are.
One of my favourite tricks is letting students explain things to me or tell me how to do a question. It doesn’t have to be perfect — the point is that teaching something helps them process – and it gives me a good idea of what they actually understand versus what they just take my word on.
But honestly, the biggest strategy is patience. Learning takes time, and everyone moves at their own pace. When students know they’re not being rushed or judged, they’re so much more willing to try. And when they finally get it, that little spark of “ohhhhhh” makes everything worth it.

Ellie Tsoukalas