Misha, the tutor, and Ingrid, the student, are working through advanced mathematics. They are tacklinging complex, multifaceted, and multi-marked questions, investigating the properties of maths. Specifically, they are exploring the properties of functions as they approach a point, or infinity, the domains and codomains of functions, and also exploring trigonometric functions.

Misha is highly confident, helping Ingrid understand the solutions required when solving problems, breaking complex, and initially daunting questions into understandable, comprehensive steps. He is clearly a passionate tutor, genuinely invested in Ingrid’s learning and helping her do her utmost best. Misha is patient, teaching thoroughly and carefully, whilst still maintaining an appropriate pace.

Ingrid is a highly inquisitive student, not afraid to ask questions about her issues. Their session is dynamic, working back and forwards as the tutor provides solutions to the plethora of Ingrid’s questions. She’s a quick learner – able to pick up the content quickly and apply it into new areas, overall, it is a highly productive session.

As I observe the session I’m reminded of the foundations of mathematics, and its integrity to the progression of more difficult maths. If not for the core principles of maths you learn in primary and secondary school, as well as HSC, one is unable to develop their understanding further. This is what makes tutoring so beneficial. It is quite common in a classroom for a topic to be rushed over, skimmed over amidst the rampant need to finish a quota amount of content, which often causes students to be left confused. Then, once further topics are reached in the classroom, the student is in a perpetual state of misunderstanding as the core principles were not properly explained. Tutoring fixes this issue – allowing the student to ask the essential questions about the core principles, aiding their understanding in the entire subject.

Oliver Fletcher