What does a tutor actually do?

I'm thinking about becoming a tutor to earn some extra money while in school. What are the main responsibilities of a tutor, and what should I expect if I decide to start tutoring?

A tutor performs a variety of tasks as per the needs of the students they work with. The role can vary widely, depending on the subject, the student's age and ability level, and the goals of the tutoring sessions. Here are some key duties that are often associated with being a tutor:

1. Assessing Student Understanding: A tutor evaluates the student's comprehension of the subject matter. This assessment might be informal, based on conversation and observation, or it might include formal tests or assignments.

2. Identifying Areas for Improvement: After the initial assessment, a tutor would identify specific areas where the student needs improvement. These might range from conceptual gaps (where the student doesn't understand certain key principles or ideas) to skill-based challenges (where the student is struggling with a specific skill, like essay writing or problem solving).

3. Creating Customized Learning Strategies and Plans: Tutors create plans based on the needs of each individual student. These plans focus on addressing the areas of improvement and increasing the student's understanding of the subject. For instance, if a student is struggling with fractions, a math tutor might design activities specifically around this topic.

4. Explaining Concepts Clearly and Effectively: Tutors need to have a strong grasp on the subject material and be able to explain it in a way that is easy for the student to understand. This might require using visuals, real-world examples, or other teaching strategies.

5. Providing Additional Practice and Reinforcement: Tutors generally provide additional work for the student to practice the subject matter. This could include homework assignments, quizzes, or projects.

6. Regularly Reviewing Progress: Tutors typically assess the student's progress through their sessions, to see how well the student's understanding is improving. Through this, they can adjust their teaching strategies as needed.

7. Encouraging Motivation and Confidence: Part of a tutor's job is to boost the student's confidence in their abilities and motivate them to keep trying, even when they find the material challenging.

Becoming a tutor can be a rewarding experience. It gives you a chance to share your knowledge while helping others improve their understanding of a subject, and if you're still in school yourself, it can even help solidify your own knowledge. It's also a flexible job that can often be fit around your own class schedule. However, be prepared for challenges, as tutoring can require lots of patience and adaptability, as you will be dealing with diverse learners, each with their unique learning styles and needs.