First Education

Exam time for students can become incredibly stressful, and often this extra stress doesn’t help with the progression of their studying or mental well-being. This is especially true for year 12s and the high stakes associated with a lot of their exams. So I thought I’d share some things that I found helpful in high school to prepare for my exams, which could be helpful for tutoring students as well.

The first one was creating an exam timetable. This means using a calendar and not only adding in your exams, but also allocating time to study for certain subjects to ensure you cover everything. A really great online calendar I found was Notion because it sets out your weeks really clearly, and allows you to add to-do lists under each event. A calendar can help mental stress greatly as students can see when their exams are, as well as the steps and study sessions they should be taking in order to be prepared. This way no exams or assignments can be forgotten and will jump out the week before it’s due.

To-do lists are another great way of studying and reducing overwhelm. To-do lists, whether by subject or by topic can help break down the studying of large pieces of content and allow more effective progress. It is a lot easier to check off 15 minutes of practice questions over finishing an entire chapter. The feeling of checking off tasks is also incredibly satisfying and creates a motivation to complete tasks.

Another way to reduce stress around exams is finding effective ways to study. I found that active recall was a very effective study method across all my subjects. Further, I found that practice exams and exam-style questions were incredibly effective for maths and chemistry. Practice body paragraphs and 5 minute essay plans were also really helpful for English. It is important to find study techniques that work to help students reassure themselves they have prepared effectively. I hope this was helpful!

Isabella Mackay

In the fast paced world of tutoring, it’s easy to assume that the more a tutor speaks, the more effective the session will be. After all, the role of a tutor is to explain concepts, offer feedback and answer questions. However, there’s a surprisingly powerful strategy that’s often overlooked. Giving student’s the time and space to think and not filling every moment with words, can be one of the most impactful tools in a tutor’s toolkit.

In tutoring, we’re often focused on providing immediate solutions, particularly when a student struggles with a problem. Sometimes, the best way to help a student is not to give them the answer straight away. When we remain silent, we encourage students to process the information themselves, which leads to deeper learning. This pause gives them the opportunity to problem solve, make connections and internalise the concepts at their own pace.

There’s a key difference between helping and solving. Helping is about guiding the student towards the answer, while solving is about doing the work for them. If a tutor rushes to fill the silence with instructions, there’s a risk of robbing the student of the opportunity to develop independent critical thinking skills. When we allow silence, we’re teaching them to become more self reliant and to trust their own thought process.

Silence also creates a reflective space for students to express any confusion or thoughts they might be hesitant to voice. Sometimes, students don’t know how to ask the right questions and the quiet moment gives them the space to clarify their thoughts and find the words they need. This unspoken moment can lead to powerful breakthroughs where a student makes a realisation on their own.

Of course, silence doesn’t mean complete inaction. It’s about striking a balance between speaking and giving the student time to engage with the material. When used thoughtfully, silence can enhance a student’s confidence and self awareness, making the learning experience feel more empowering rather than dependent on the tutor’s input.

So next time you’re in a tutoring session, try embracing the silence. Give your student the space to think, reflect and explore the material at their own pace. You may be surprised by the results and it’s often in those quiet moments that true learning happens.

Isabella Naumovski

Today I had the amazing opportunity to observe Sienna! Sienna’s tutoring session with her junior high school student was structured yet engaging, striking a balance between academic rigour and interactive learning. She displayed a high level of patience and adaptability, ensuring that the student remained both focused and comfortable throughout the session.

At the start, Sienna asked the student to explain her current understanding of the topic, using open-ended questions to assess any gaps in knowledge. Today’s session focused on algebraic expressions, and rather than immediately providing solutions, Sienna encouraged the student to think critically. When the student hesitated on a problem involving simplifying expressions, Sienna guided her with step-by-step prompts, such as, “What happens when we combine like terms?” and “Can you see any patterns here?” This approach allowed the student to actively engage with the material rather than passively receiving answers.

Midway through the session, they played a game of Uno as a short break. Sienna used this time to build rapport, chatting casually while still maintaining a structured session. She seamlessly transitioned back into the lesson by integrating elements of problem-solving into their conversation. This helped reinforce mathematical thinking in a relaxed setting.

As the session progressed, Sienna continually checked for understanding, rephrasing explanations when needed and prompting the student to verbalize her reasoning. By the end, the student demonstrated improved confidence in approaching algebraic problems. Sienna concluded by summarising key takeaways and setting a small practice task for the next session. Her patient and inquiry-based teaching style fostered a supportive learning environment, ensuring that the student left feeling both challenged and encouraged.

Sophie McGrath

When we think about tutoring, the first thing that usually comes to mind is a structured, serious session focused on mastering content. While this approach is necessary for academic success, one often overlooked element that can make a huge difference is humour. It may sound unconventional, but humour in tutoring can be a powerful tool that enhances learning, eases anxiety and even fosters a deeper connection between tutor and student.

Humour has the ability to disarm. Student’s often come to tutoring feeling stressed or frustrated with the material they’re struggling to understand. The pressure to perform can create a barrier to effective learning. When a tutor incorporates humour, it breaks that tension and creates an environment where the student feels more relaxed and open to new ideas. A well time joke or light hearted comment can quickly change the tone of a session, transforming it from a chore to a more enjoyable experience.

Moreover, humour can make complex or boring topics more engaging. For example, when tutoring a student in mathematics, a tutor might use playful metaphors or create funny scenarios that tie into the concepts being taught. It could be something as simple as comparing the process of solving equations to “chasing down a runaway train”. These random comparisons make the material more relatable and memorable, which helps students retain the information longer.

Humour also fosters connection. In a one on one tutoring environment, the relationship between tutor and student is key. By sharing a laugh, the tutor shows a more personal side, which can help the student feel more comfortable and less intimidated. A strong rapport encourages students to open up, ask questions and make mistakes without fear of judgement, all of which are crucial for effective learning.

Ultimately, while humour shouldn’t overshadow the seriousness of the learning material being taught, but serve as a bridge between the student’s current state of stress and their potential for learning. By infusing tutoring sessions with a bit of fun, we remind our students that learning doesn’t have to be a daunting process, but it can be a journey full of curiosity, creativity and even laughter.

Isabella Naumovski

Today, I had the chance to observe one of my fellow tutors as she conducted a session on percentage increase and decrease with her student. It was incredibly impressive to see how she navigated the lesson with clarity and patience, creating an environment where the student felt confident and engaged.

Her teaching style was both methodical and supportive. She broke down the concept of percentage increase and decrease into simple, manageable steps, ensuring the student understood the logic behind each calculation. Rather than rushing through the material, she took the time to explain each part of the process thoroughly, helping the student build a strong understanding of the topic.

She also, used real-world examples, such as calculating discounts and price increases, to make the lesson relatable. This approach helped the student see how the concepts applied to everyday situations, making the math feel much more practical and relevant. Her ability to connect abstract concepts to real-life scenarios helped maintain the student’s focus and interest throughout the session.

She was also incredibly attentive to the student’s needs, adjusting her approach whenever the student seemed uncertain. Whenever the student struggled with a particular problem, she took the time to explain it from a different angle, reinforcing the concept until the student gained full confidence. Her positive reinforcement and encouragement kept the student motivated and engaged, making sure they never felt discouraged.

The session was a wonderful example of effective tutoring—patient, thorough, and encouraging. By the end, the student demonstrated a much deeper understanding of percentage increase and decrease, and the tutor’s approach was a true model of effective teaching.

Tira Rustom

This afternoon, I had the chance to sit in on Demetria’s session with Harper, a Year 10 student working on maths. They started by going over some tricky homework questions from last week, where Harper had to sketch linear expressions. Demetria got Harper to explain his thinking first, helping him spot where he went wrong on his own. This approach really seemed to help, as Harper was able to correct some of his errors without too much guidance.

After clearing up the homework, they moved on to revising gradients and the idea of rise over run. Demetria made sure Harper understood why the gradient formula works rather than just memorising it. They spent some times looking at negative vs positive gradients, and what that actually looks like on a graph. She used simple, clear examples and had Harper talk through how he would find the gradient of different lines. When he got stuck, she asked guiding questions to help him connect the numbers to what was happening on the graph. Once he had a better grasp of gradients, they moved on to graphing full linear equations. Demetria had Harper try a few on his own, reminding him to double-check key points before sketching the line. Instead of jumping in when he hesitated, she gave him time to think and only stepped in with hints when needed. As the session went on, Harper started working through problems more quickly and with greater confidence.

In the second half of the session, they shifted focus to rates and how to interpret them from graphs. Demetria explained how rates relate to gradient, helping Harper see the connection between the two topics. She used real-world examples, and worked through a few problems where Harper had to read and compare rates from different lines. By the end, Harper was much more comfortable identifying rates from graphs and understanding what they represented.

To wrap up, Demetria had Harper go back to one of the homework questions he had struggled with at the start of the session. This time, he was able to solve it correctly without help, which showed how much progress he had made. They also discussed a few strategies to help him stay organised and avoid small mistakes when working under time pressure.

Overall, it was a really productive session. I feel like Harper left with a much stronger understanding of gradients, graphing, and rates, and I picked up some great strategies from Demetria that I can use in my own sessions. Thanks

Eric Mihas

Sustainability is becoming an essential part of education, and tutoring presents a unique opportunity to instill these values in students. Whether teaching math, science or English, tutors can incorporate sustainability principles to help students understand real-world applications of their subjects. For example, math tutors can use environmental data to teach statistics, while science tutors can discuss renewable energy, climate change, and ecological conservation. Even English tutors can introduce sustainability-themed readings and discussions to raise awareness. By integrating these topics into lessons, tutors not only enhance academic learning but also foster critical thinking about global challenges.

Beyond subject matter, tutors can model sustainable practices by using digital resources instead of printed materials, encouraging energy-efficient study habits, and discussing the importance of responsible consumption. They can also guide students in sustainable research practices, such as evaluating credible environmental sources and considering ethical implications in their work. More than just teaching facts, sustainability in tutoring is about shaping responsible, informed individuals who can apply their knowledge to create positive change. By making sustainability a natural part of education, tutors help students see its relevance in their daily lives and future careers, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable world.

Emily Mackay

Moving up a school year can be tough. Whether it’s going from primary to high school, stepping into Year 11, or even getting ready for uni, each stage brings new challenges. The work gets harder, teachers expect more, and the way you need to study changes. A lot of students struggle with these shifts, which can lead to stress, falling behind, or feeling less confident. That’s where tutoring can make a real difference.

One of the hardest parts of moving up a year is dealing with the bigger workload and trickier subjects. What used to be simple now requires more detail, deeper thinking, and way more effort. Some students who did great in one year might suddenly find themselves lost when the expectations change. And let’s be real—no one wants to start the year already feeling like they’re behind.

Tutors help smooth out that transition by making sure students aren’t just thrown into the deep end. If there are gaps in what they learned before, a tutor can go over those areas so everything makes more sense moving forward. It’s a lot easier to feel confident when you actually understand what’s going on instead of constantly playing catch-up.

Another big thing tutors do is help students pick up the skills they’ll need for the next step. A Year 10 student, for example, might need to learn how to write essays that are structured properly for Year 11, while a Year 12 student might need to start managing their time better before university comes along. Having someone there to guide them through these changes makes a huge difference.

But it’s not just about the work itself. Tutoring also helps students become more independent learners. Instead of just memorising stuff, they start thinking critically, asking better questions, and figuring things out on their own. That kind of mindset helps not just in school, but way beyond it too.

With the right support, moving up a school year doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. A little extra help can make sure students go in prepared, stay confident, and actually enjoy the learning process instead of just trying to survive it.

Eireyna Papinyan

Today I observed Natalie’s session with a year 5 student, working on spelling, grammar and punctuation.
She began the session with a warm welcome and a check of the previous week’s homework, assessing any mistakes thoroughly and encouraging the student for their efforts and their correct answers.
She kept the student engaged throughout the session, actively calling upon him to utilise his own knowledge and ask questions. As they worked through a set of grammar problems during the first half of the session, I enjoyed watching the student become more engaged and enthusiastic as he began to improve his answers with each question after some encouraging feedback.
I appreciated how she catered so well to the student’s needs and abilities. She patiently gave him enough time to complete the questions on his own, while making him feel comfortable if he got stuck on a particular problem by suggesting ways of moving forward and rewarding his improvements with encouraging remarks. She provided him with material that was challenging for his level and yet allowed him to improve throughout the session. I would also highlight how she asked him questions about his own work and why he made particular decisions, so that he could begin to recognise his own mistakes and correct himself without her guidance.
At the halfway point, Natalie rewarded his focus with a break and a game of uno, which I particularly enjoyed watching, as it helped the student enjoy the session while keeping his attention and allowing him to focus during the second half of the hour. During this game, he became less shy and more sure of himself and his tutor, creating a rapport that is paramount for the student to make the most out of the session.
She ended the session by assigning him homework to complete over the next week and an amiable goodbye with a parting game of uno. Overall, the session was one to be learned from, with Natalie’s excellent approach to learning and engagement for primary aged students!

Tyler Klinger

Marina did a great job tutoring her Year 8 math student on rates and ratios. She was really thorough in her explanations, making sure the student fully understood each concept before moving on. This is super important in math since a strong foundation helps with more complex topics later on. By taking the time to break things down properly, she ensured the student wasn’t just memorising formulas but actually grasping the reasoning behind them.

One of the best things about Marina’s approach was how attentive she was to the student’s needs. She didn’t just go through the content—she checked in regularly to make sure they were comfortable and confident with the material. Instead of rushing through, she focused on the areas that needed more attention, which shows she’s adaptable and willing to personalise the lesson based on what the student actually needs. Today, Marina and her student focused specifically on percentages, rates, and ratios, ensuring they had a solid understanding of these key mathematical concepts.

Marina also made great use of the centre’s equipment, incorporating worked examples on the whiteboard to help explain tricky concepts. This hands-on approach made it easier for the student to visualise and apply what they were learning. Breaking problems down step by step on the board allowed for a deeper understanding and reinforced key ideas in a clear and structured way. She also encouraged the student to attempt problems on the board themselves, which helped build confidence and reinforce learning through practice.

It was also clear that Marina had a great rapport with her student. The student responded really well to her tutoring style, which made the session more engaging and productive. It was evident that the student felt comfortable with Marina, as they were actively engaged and asking great questions to clarify their understanding.

Overall, Marina’s tutoring was effective, supportive, and well structured. Her patience, clear explanations, and ability to build a positive connection with her student made for a great learning experience. Awesome work!

Demi Roussakis