How to Get Students to Use Your Tutoring Services

By Kailey Walters on October 30, 2017

For many college students, tutoring is a valuable service that can provide academic assistance in a wide range of subjects. However, it’s often the case that tutoring services are underutilized, perhaps because students are unaware of the opportunities available to them or they are unconvinced that they’ll actually benefit from the tutoring.

For those of you who are student tutors, this scene might be familiar: sitting at the desk in your office, twirling a pencil between your fingers as you wait for students who may or may not show up to an appointment. Clearly, getting other students to take advantage of your tutoring sessions can be frustrating at times, and may leave you wondering what you can do to attract more clients.

pixabay.com

To get the word out about the tutoring services you’re offering, take advantage of your connections. That involves telling as many people as you can within your social circles so that the people you know can then spread the news to people they know, and so on.

However, that doesn’t mean indiscriminately telling people left and right about the fact that you’re a bored tutor and want someone to sign up for your appointments. Instead, spreading the word means being smart and effective with whom you tell so that you know you’re extending your services to the right people.

For example, if you know a certain group of students who need help with chemistry but you tutor physics, they most likely won’t be needing your assistance. However, there is a good chance they know someone else who might need help with physics — it’s just a matter of making the right connections, asking necessary questions, and probing deeper for the appropriate information.

Spreading the word on social media is also a useful way to advertise your tutoring services. Again, you want to make sure you’re reaching the appropriate audiences so spamming friends on Facebook or followers on Twitter won’t work. Strategize when and on what platforms you’ll make your tutoring services known. Perhaps you’ll want to post about the sessions you’re offering when midterms or finals are looming when many students are most likely scrambling for extra help with studying and coursework.

It’s also important to inform students of why tutoring, in general, is helpful. Let students know that, as a tutor, you will be able to help keep them accountable. According to this article on the effectiveness of having a student tutor, not only will students be spending more time familiarizing themselves with and reviewing the material, but they’ll also be able to hone their time management skills.

As a tutor, you will also be able to pass on certain responsible habits and tactics to other students — such as completing assignments early or on time and adopting effective study techniques. This is an important point to emphasize, as many students are certainly intent on finding the most efficient ways to tackle their studies.

Also, let potential tutoring clients know that, unlike a professor, you will be able to provide feedback on a pretty regular basis. For instance, if students need help with a final paper but are unable to receive feedback from the professor before the due date, you can step in and offer as much assistance as they desire. As you continually review their papers, providing feedback on things they can improve upon, they can produce multiple drafts until they’re satisfied with the result.

pexels.com

So, for those of you out there struggling with your studies, make it a priority to seek help to tackle your schoolwork. Even if you are stuck on a minor problem or question, seeking tutoring help early on is a step in the right direction, to prevent potential future problems from arising.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format