First Education

When people think of tutoring, they tend to focus on the grades. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel the same way when I first started. However, I have come to realise that one of the unspoken benefits of tutoring is in the subtle ways students learn resilience.

The other day, one of my students came to a problem in her maths worksheet that she couldn’t solve. She was at the verge of giving up and moving on. I told her to come up with another way to approach the problem. She did so, but made the same mistake over and over. Finally, after about the fifth attempt, she had the answer. Her face when she looked up at me said it all: She solved the problem and proved to herself that she had the capacity to persevere.

In a way, that was what resilience is: the ability to deal with setbacks and continue to move forward. The great thing about tutoring is that we have an opportunity to normalise mistakes and even use them as a tool. When students start to see making mistakes as not the end of the world, their anxiety diminishes and they are more inclined to challenge themselves.

The other key difference between tutoring and school is the time we take to pause. Students can ask more questions, more slowly process a new idea, and even fail without having to feel self-conscious around their peers. This creates an environment in which students can build confidence and, in turn, resilience.

Of course, tutoring is about preparing for exams, but it is also so much more than that. In tutoring, students learn the tools they need to become resilient in the face of setbacks.

Daniella Siljeg

Today, I had the great pleasure of observing Jordan Udler’s Year 12 maths tutoring session, and it was nothing short of inspiring. From the beginning, Jordan’s infectious enthusiasm set a lively tone that captivated me and the student in the room. His energy was palpable, transforming what can sometimes be an intimidating subject into an engaging and dynamic experience.
What stood out immediately was Jordan’s ability to connect with his students on a personal level. He has clearly built a strong rapport, creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere where students felt comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts. This bond was crucial in fostering a positive learning environment, helping his student overcome her anxieties about complex topics.
Jordan’s teaching style was clear. He used a created real-life examples and interactive problem-solving exercises that made abstract mathematical concepts understandable. By breaking down difficult topics into manageable chunks, he ensured no misunderstanding was left behind. He didn’t just lecture; he facilitated discussions, encouraged peer collaboration, and continuously checked for understanding, adapting his approach based on student feedback.
Another highlight was Jordan’s use of whiteboards to enhance learning. Making the lesson visually stimulating and easy to follow.
In summary, Jordan Udler exemplifies what great tutoring is all about — passion, connection, and clarity. His vibrant Year 12 maths session was a testament to how effective teaching can ignite curiosity and build confidence in students, setting them up for success beyond the classroom.

Lewin Fairbairn

Hey everyone,  I watched Daisy’s legal studies session.

She did a great job helping her student prepare for the HSC. They went through different legal key cases study facts and how she can apply the case study to different types of HSC extended response questions. They then went through the different NESA key terms of the questions to help her student understand what the question was asking.

They then went through different hypothetical short answer questions. They then looked at the students ability to interpret and solve each question. This helped to work out how the student interacts with the question.

Daisy also a great job allowing her student to work through each question independently. When her student got stuck she would then help her. Daisy encouraged her student to detail each part of her working out.

They then started looking at the multiple choice questions. They went through each question then the content of each question. Then they started to eliminate wrong answers.

When Daisy’s student got stuck on a question, Daisy did a great job explaining the content of the question so her student could understand. If her student was still stuck, she would break down the question even further and explain it in even simpler terms.

They then discussed her students tutoring homework, which was to do some HSC multiple choice questions. This will help to make her student feel more comfortable and confident approaching and answering different types of questions.

It was great to see how friendly they were and how comfortable her student was with her. They had a great relationship and they got along really well.

Overall, Daisy did a great job helping her student. It was a great session and such a pleasure to observe. Keep it up!

Ashley Cohen

Homework is often met with groans from students, but it plays an essential role in the learning process. Far from being just extra work, homework extends the classroom experience into the home, reinforcing key ideas and skills while cultivating habits that last well beyond school.

First, homework strengthens understanding. Lessons covered in class can feel clear in the moment, but without practice, knowledge can fade quickly. Homework offers the chance to revisit concepts, apply them independently, and identify where gaps still exist. This repetition solidifies memory and ensures students build confidence in their abilities.

Second, homework teaches responsibility and self-discipline. Setting aside time to complete assignments fosters time management, organization, and persistence—skills vital not only for academic success but also for life beyond school. When students take ownership of their work, they develop independence and accountability, preparing them for the demands of university, careers, and personal projects.

Third, homework provides a link between school and home. It allows families to see what their children are learning and opens opportunities for support and encouragement. This connection helps create a more collaborative approach to education, where teachers, students, and families all work together to foster growth.

Finally, homework encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. Many assignments are designed to go beyond rote memorization, asking students to apply concepts in new contexts. This pushes learners to think creatively and develop a deeper understanding of their subjects.

In short, homework is more than a task—it’s a tool. By reinforcing knowledge, teaching valuable skills, building connections, and encouraging deeper thought, homework plays a vital role in shaping students into capable, independent learners ready to face future challenges.

Allegra

This evening, I observed Toby’s session with his Year 10 student. The two clearly had been working together for a while, as they had great rapport and talked casually with each other, which meant that when the student made mistakes or needed help with a specific question, they felt really comfortable asking Toby for assistance. They worked on some maths questions that the student had sent Toby beforehand through email, and Toby explained each of the topics to her, checking in with her along the way to make sure she was understanding. He then went through some additional examples he found online and asked her to do some on her own, providing constant encouragement and breaking up periods of intense focus with general conversation so she had a bit of a brain break. Furthermore, it meant that when the student got distracted or carried away with the conversation, Toby was able to seamlessly bring her focus back to the maths work, without her feeling like she was being told off in any way.
It was really great to see how well Toby knew the student, especially when it came to knowing which content areas she had already learnt and which ones her class hadn’t covered yet. This clearly made the session more productive, as he could skip over areas that she hadn’t learnt yet and also focus on the areas he knew that she often struggled with. As someone who is relatively new to tutoring at First, I think this style of tutor – student connection is something I really hope to develop with my students, especially those in senior high school years. One thing I noticed that built their comfortable rapport was Toby’s open body language, as the student reciprocated it and instinctively felt more at ease in what could have been a formal and awkward environment.
Great job Toby!!

Gemma Vinciguerra

Studying for long hours without rest can seem like a productive strategy, especially during exam season or when deadlines are tight. However, research consistently shows that taking regular “brain breaks” is essential for maintaining focus, improving memory retention, and boosting overall productivity.
Brain breaks are short, intentional pauses taken during periods of mental work. They help to reduce cognitive fatigue, allowing the brain to recharge and refocus. Without breaks, the brain becomes overwhelmed, leading to decreased attention, slower processing, and reduced ability to retain information. This is particularly important for students who often juggle multiple subjects and tasks in a single study session.
One key benefit of brain breaks is improved concentration. After about 25–50 minutes of focused work, the brain’s ability to absorb new information starts to decline. A short break—anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes—can reset attention and increase efficiency when returning to the task. Simple activities like stretching, walking, deep breathing, or even listening to music can be enough to give the brain a needed reset.
In addition to enhancing focus, breaks support better memory consolidation. The brain processes and stores information more effectively when it has time to rest. This is why many memory-enhancing techniques, like the Pomodoro Technique, incorporate regular breaks into study routines.
Furthermore, taking breaks can reduce stress and prevent burnout. Studying nonstop often leads to mental exhaustion, which can diminish motivation and negatively impact mental health. Short, enjoyable pauses throughout study time help keep learning sustainable and more enjoyable.
In conclusion, brain breaks are not a waste of time—they are a smart and necessary part of effective studying. By incorporating regular breaks into your study schedule, you can work smarter, not harder, and ultimately achieve better academic outcomes with less stress.

Angelique Lambrinos

As a tutor, I’ve come to realise that one of the most powerful tools in learning isn’t a textbook, worksheet, or app – it’s words. The way we speak to children, the language we choose, and the tone we set can shape their confidence and willingness to learn. That’s why I make it a priority to celebrate even the smallest achievements my students make, because those “small wins” often create the biggest changes.

Children thrive on encouragement. When I vocalise their progress – whether it’s finally mastering a tricky times table, using the correct punctuation, or simply giving their best effort – it reminds them that learning is a journey worth recognising. A simple “I noticed you tried a new strategy today, well done” can mean more than any sticker or grade. It tells a child that their effort matters, and that growth, not perfection, is what we are aiming for together.

Acknowledging these steps out loud also builds resilience. Students begin to see mistakes not as failures, but as part of progress. When I point out their determination – “You didn’t give up, and look how far that got you” – I’m teaching them that persistence is valuable. These words become part of their inner dialogue, shaping how they speak to themselves when challenges arise.

What’s truly special is watching a child light up when they realise they’re being recognised. It might be for something they considered small, like neatly setting out their work or remembering to check an answer. Yet those affirmations build layers of self-belief, which in turn encourages them to take on bigger challenges with confidence.

Words work because they nurture. They create a safe space where children feel seen, heard, and motivated. As tutors, we don’t just guide students through academics – we guide them in seeing their own potential. And sometimes, all it takes is the right words spoken at the right time.

Carmen Yuen

Today, I had the opportunity to think about the habits I’ve been developing through tutoring.

One thing I had time to reflect on was how it is valuable to build a routine with each student that is followed each session. Having a clear structure, for example starting with a quick recap, then moving into new material, and ending with content review questions, gives students a sense of direction. It also helps them see their progress more clearly, which can be motivating. I have also found that it is a good idea to get to know the student before developing a set routine, as each student is different and thrives with a different way of learning. Overall, I’ve found that when students know what to expect from the lessons, they settle into learning more easily and come to the sessions more prepared.

Another important aspect I’ve been learning is how powerful it can be to encourage students to ask their own questions. A lot of the students are hesitant at first because they don’t want to seem like they don’t understand, or they can be scared to voice their worries about a certain topic. However, encouragement to ask their questions goes a long way as their questions can guide the session and allow them to understand the topic a lot better. Often, the best learning moments happen when a student asks something unexpected, because it shows they are thinking critically about the topic rather than just following along.

Altogether, these experiences have shown me that tutoring is not only about teaching content. It’s about creating structure, and making space for questions. These strategies make sessions more meaningful, effective, and enjoyable for the students, and makes it easier for me to help them with what they need.

Katreen Diab

In our achievement-obsessed culture, we’ve developed an unhealthy fear of being wrong. Students often freeze when they’re unsure, choosing silence over the risk of an incorrect answer. But it is in fact that ‘wrong’ answers are actually a tool that drives improvement and thus confidence. one of the most powerful moments in a child’s education come from the wrong answers. For primary school students especially, mistakes are not failures—they’re opportunities to think, reflect, and grow. For this, as tutors our challenge isn’t to eliminate mistakes, but to embrace them. Because in every wrong answer, there’s a right opportunity to learn.

There are multiple reasons why these ‘wrong answers’ matter”:
– A wrong answer shows how a student is processing information. For example, with my year 5 student who is currently focusing on multiplication, if a child answers 16 to 3X5, it can hint to us as tutors that they are close to the answer, and that they are simply missing an extra step. It tells us that they have the right understanding, just need a little more clarification on it. Without that “mistake,” we’d never see where the misunderstanding lies.

– It encourages confidence in the way that we make our tutoring space a safe one, where mistakes are okay, and even encouraged to be made because that is how we all learn. Learning is about progress and not perfection.

– it builds upon problem-Solving Skills: Wrong answers spark discussion. “Why might someone think this?” or “What else could we try?” These questions help children develop resilience and creative thinking—skills they’ll use far beyond the classroom.

Airi Yamanaka

In a tutoring setting, consistency is key to making real progress. When students attend sessions regularly, it allows us to build on each lesson, reinforce important concepts, and address any challenges before they become ongoing issues.
On the other hand, when sessions are missed or attended irregularly, it becomes much harder to maintain momentum. I often find that students who come inconsistently are more likely to forget material we’ve covered—even if they understood it at the time—because they haven’t had the opportunity to review and apply it. Especially when school moves on to new content, there’s rarely a chance to go back and revisit topics without dedicated time in tutoring.
Keeping a consistent weekly schedule helps students:
• Build strong study habits
• Retain and apply what they’ve learned
• Stay motivated through a sense of progress
• Gain confidence by seeing regular improvement
It also sets a valuable precedent for the future—in high school, university, and even the workplace, showing up consistently and following through is one of the most important habits a person can develop.
Regular tutoring creates a steady rhythm of learning, which not only supports academic success but also makes the process more enjoyable and fulfilling. I strongly encourage students to commit to weekly sessions wherever possible so we can make the most of our time together and achieve the best results.

Riva Burkett