First Education

Today I had the rare opportunity to slow down and reflect on what tutoring has taught me so far, especially during the midst of the busy HSC period. This time of year always brings a mix of pressure, motivation, and lots of emotions for the students; there’s so much at stake, and the stress of the exams can easily overshadow all the effort they’ve already put in. As a tutor, I’ve learned that my role isn’t just to help the students revise content or drill past papers, it’s also to help students stay calm, confident, and focused when it matters most.
During such a period, I’ve noticed that many students are already quite comfortable with material, what they really need is reassurance. When nerves set in, even the most capable students begin to doubt themselves. Even a small reminder like “you’ve prepared for this” can help to boost their confidence; a few encouraging words can shift a student’s mindset from panic to determination. This mindset carries over into their study behaviors: if they are confident, then they spend less time stressing and more time studying.
Another thing I’ve found helpful is creating space for reflection rather than constant correction. Instead of jumping in with the right answer, it’s important to push the students to find it themselves. This is achieved by prompting them with further questions, such as “Does that sound logical?” or “What do you think the marker is looking for here?”. Guiding students to spot and fix their own mistakes helps them develop independence, which is especially valuable in exam settings where they need to rely on themselves.
The HSC period can be overwhelming, but the best progress happens when students feel supported, yet capable on their own. Tutoring during this time isn’t just about improving marks, but about helping the students trust their preparation, so that they can approach each challenge with confidence.

Katreen Diab

Comparison in learning is often a tough battle many students face, specifically in senior years when rankings come into play but it’s how we perceive and behave when dealing with comparison that can truly impact our learning.

Comparison can be both a motivator and a destroyer. On one hand, seeing a peer excel can inspire us to study harder or set new goals. On the other hand, it can quickly spiral into self-doubt, anxiety, and burnout. What often gets lost in the process is that every student’s journey is different, shaped by their strengths, circumstances, and ways of learning.

Every student is different and on their own individual path, and that’s what is key to remember. The chances are, the person next to you probably doesn’t have the same goals or long-term aspirations as you, so it would be silly to compare!

In tutoring, a student might walk in feeling “behind” simply because someone else achieved a higher mark. Yet, when they start focusing on their own growth instead of someone else’s progress, their confidence and performance improve dramatically. Progress isn’t always linear; sometimes it’s slow, steady, and deeply personal. Academic success isn’t about outshining others; it’s about understanding yourself. It’s learning how YOU learn best, setting achievable goals, and celebrating small victories along the way (and with your tutor!!!)

So, next time you feel caught in the battle of comparison, take a step back. Instead of asking, “Why am I not where they are?” ask, “What’s one thing I can do to be better than I was yesterday?” That’s the only competition that truly matters.

At the end of the day, education isn’t a race, it’s a journey. And the best students aren’t the ones who compare; they’re the ones who grow individually.

Jessica Ciappara

During the session, the tutor provided a clear and structured lesson by setting out key mathematical concepts and ideas within the topic. A notable strength demonstrated by the tutor was her use of explicit and precise instruction when guiding the student through equations. She modelled the process step-by-step, showing exactly how to approach and solve each question. This clear demonstration not only clarified the method but also enabled the student to apply the same strategies independently in subsequent problems. The tutor ensured that sufficient time was allocated for the student to complete each task, allowing space for reflection and consolidation of understanding. Her approach encouraged deep thinking and supported the student in developing confidence when engaging with complex problem-solving tasks. Furthermore, the tutor effectively incorporated scaffolding techniques and purposeful questioning to extend the student’s reasoning, prompting him to explain his thought processes and justify his answers. This approach deepened the student’s conceptual understanding while fostering independence and resilience in mathematical thinking.

Emilia Labos

First off, education gives kids the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. It’s not just about memorizing facts; it’s about learning how to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions. These skills are crucial for navigating life and pursuing future opportunities. Education helps kids understand the world around them, from science and history to culture and society.

Next, education boosts confidence and opens doors. When kids learn and achieve, they feel good about themselves. This confidence encourages them to try new things and take on challenges. Plus, a good education leads to better job prospects and higher earning potential. It gives kids more choices and control over their future.

Lastly, education builds a better society. Educated kids grow into informed and engaged citizens who can contribute positively to their communities. They are more likely to participate in civic life, understand different perspectives, and work towards solving social issues. Education fosters innovation, creativity, and progress, making the world a better place for everyone.

Saoirse early

Many students struggle with writing under exam pressure. Faced with a blank page, they freeze, unsure how to start or what to say. This combination of writer’s block and exam anxiety is common, but with the right support, students can learn to manage it and write with confidence.

Preparation is Key
The best way to overcome writing anxiety starts before the exam. Students should feel comfortable with the content and know how to approach each section. Study, timed tasks and practice papers help build confidence, familiarity, and a sense of control, making the real exam feel less intimidating.

Break the Pressure
If students feel stuck, starting with the easiest question can help. Putting something, anything, on the page breaks the mental barrier and creates momentum for the rest of the paper. Neuroscientists at Yale University have shown that when people take small actions, like writing even one sentence, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that boosts motivation and focus. This means starting with an easy question literally jump-starts your brain into problem-solving mode.

Focus on Process, Not Perfection
Students often worry about producing the “perfect” answer, but that mindset increases stress. Tutors should remind them that it’s better to get ideas down and refine later. Progress matters more than perfection; remember, teachers can mark something, not nothing.

Creating a Supportive Environment
Tutors play a key role in building confidence. Encouraging a calm, non-judgmental space allows students to experiment and make mistakes without fear.

Teach Planning Techniques
Simple strategies like mind mapping or quick outlines can help students organise their thoughts before writing. With practice, these skills become second nature and improve clarity under pressure.

Simulate Exam Conditions
Finally, short, timed writing exercises during tutoring sessions help students practice thinking clearly and managing nerves in real exam scenarios. Research from the University of Chicago found that students who practiced under simulated test conditions performed significantly better because familiarity reduced stress responses in the brain.

By combining preparation, structure, and emotional support, tutors can help students overcome writer’s block, reduce anxiety, and perform at their best when it matters most.

Vicki

Studying Sports and Exercise Science is essential because it provides the evidence-based knowledge to understand and enhance human physical function across all levels, from elite performance to public health. This interdisciplinary field integrates physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and nutrition to optimize athletic training and competition, ensuring peak performance while critically focusing on injury prevention and rehabilitation. Furthermore, SES is vital for tackling major public health challenges, as specialists develop effective exercise interventions to prevent and manage chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, ultimately improving the quality of life and well-being for the general population by promoting lifelong physical activity and health.

Nabil Harrar

Last week during my tutoring session, I was helping one of my students with the maths topic area. At first, she was completely stuck — what you needed to multiply, and all the different shapes were really confusing her. Every time she tried a question, something just didn’t add up. I could tell she was getting frustrated, so I broke things down and tried explaining it in a different way.
Instead of focusing on memorising formulas, we looked at why they work. We used visuals — drawing shapes, breaking them into smaller parts, and showing how area represents the space inside shapes. Bit by bit, she started to see the logic behind it. Suddenly, during one question, she looked up and said, “Ohhh, I get it now!” That moment made the whole session worthwhile.
There’s something very rewarding about watching a student move from confusion to understanding. It’s not just about solving a maths problem — it’s about seeing their confidence grow, when she finally said to me “I’m ready to do one on my own”.
Tutoring moments like that remind me why I love doing this. It’s not always easy — sometimes it takes patience and creativity to find the right way to explain something — but when it finally clicks, it’s the best feeling. It’s proof that persistence pays off, and that every student can learn with the right support.
That one smile, that one “I get it now!” — it’s the reason I keep tutoring.

Ellie Tsoukalas

Often we view making mistakes as a setback or as a reflection of our lack of knowledge, but really, it is the first step in learning and making true progress. One of the most common phrases students will say is “I’m so bad at this”, “I can’t do it”. What they often don’t realise is that making mistakes isn’t a setback, it’s an integral part of learning. Sometimes students will become frustrated if they aren’t amazing at a topic at first try, but it’s the trial and error that will truly make them great.

It is often helpful to conceptualise learning like building muscle. Each time you struggle with a problem, your brain is lifting a “mental weight.” The initial confusion triggers curiosity, your mind wants to know why it was wrong and that curiosity fuels deeper understanding. It’s the difference between memorising an answer and actually learning a concept. As a tutor when mistakes are made, we unpack them together. This process not only fixes the mistake but also reveals valuable insights into how that specific student thinks, which is so crucial to know as a tutor.

The most confident learners aren’t the ones who never make mistakes, they’re the ones who keep asking questions, testing ideas, and learning from every misstep. So next time you get something wrong, don’t be discouraged. You’re not moving backwards, you’re rewiring your brain for progress and success.

Jessica Ciappara

Today, I had the opportunity to observe Pamela tutoring Isaac, a year 9 student preparing for his upcoming yearly maths exam. Isaacs current topics for this exam include probability, money and algebra, topics which were taught in class last term.

I observed Pams, tutoring approach which was calm and patient as she revised all the key concepts for each topic making sure Issacs fully understood both the ‘how’ to complete the question and ‘why’ to approach in that way. Ensuring he understood the concepts rather than just the formulas. Pamela also incorporated real life concepts to making the task easier to understand and more enjoyable. For example, using uno cards to showcase the sample space, and likelihoods.

Issacs struggled to understand the higher order algebraic fraction questions, therefore Pamela really emphasised and focused on the steps of answering this, breaking it down into simpler concepts, she used the board to show how to work it out and used different colours to showcase each step of the equation, ensuring Isaac understood every step as they go and it’s not confusing. Pam also got Isaac to answer these questions on the board explaining why he choose to use that formula.
Pam also utilised the in-centre resources using textbooks and FEC worksheets to get questions from and further used these resources to give Isaac his homework, helping him solidify the knowledge learnt in class, preparing him for his future exam!

At the end of the session, Pam played a game of spot it, as a fun way to end the session and as a reward for doing amazing work! It was really helpful and interesting watching Pams tutoring style, hopefully I get the chance to observe her again.

Daniella

I was able to reflect on what study techniques work best, how to be efficient when working and how to choose an environment where you’ll be most productive.

It’s important to understand what kind of student you are, and use this to build study routines and strategies that best work for you. This can be achieved through using organisational tools such as planners and checklists to keep track of upcoming tasks and deadlines, and prevent forgetting important work or feeling overwhelmed. It’s also important to remember that different study methods might work for different subjects. For example, practising questions may be great for maths but not so good when memorising an essay. Additionally, using active learning strategies such as summarising, teaching others and self-testing can be super effective for strengthening understanding and improving recall.

Another important aspect of studying to reach maximum potential is efficiency: using your time wisely and making every study session purposeful. This can be achieved through setting clear goals for each session, and planning these ahead of time to ensure everything is completed when needed. This leads to using time-management strategies. You should also minimise distractions during productive periods, which can include putting your phone on do not disturb and moving to a quiet environment. Choosing the right study environment has a huge impact on the quality of your study. You should feel comfortable, have resources easily accessible and be able to concentrate in a quiet space. Using the same study space consistently can increase motivation and reduce stress.

Overall, understanding how you learn best and creating the right study habits can make a huge difference in both productivity and confidence. Reflecting on these skills has reminded me of their importance when achieving high marks and developing long-term academic independence.

Annabelle Molloy