The Five Most Common Academic Students
Which kind of kid do you have...?
We all know that every kid has individual needs and has their own unique way that they like to learn. We also know that kids tend to fall into certain categories when it comes to their relationship to school and school work, and each type requires its own tutoring approach.
THE OVERBOOKED KID
Always: Running from model UN to piano and staying up way too late…
Never: Sleeping enough…
We Admire: How passionate these students are about everything they do.
Pro-Tutor tip: Make their assignments mobile so they can go with them wherever they go. Schools help by centralizing homework in Learning Management Systems, but a tutor can help by making any notes, flashcards, etc. electronic as well.
THE TOO-SHY-TO-SPEAK-UP KID
Always: Nailing written assignments…
Never: Speaking up in class or seeking out the teacher for extra help…
We Admire: How few words they need to say so much.
Pro-Tutor tip: Since our shy kids struggle to spontaneously speak up, we encourage them to plan their participation out ahead of time and to seek teachers outside of the classroom to build rapport and get extra support. The goal is for teachers to understand how engaged these students are, even if they show that engagement quietly.
THE MESSY BACKPACK KID
Always: Relaxed and rushing between classes…
Never: Knowing where that assignment is...
We Admire: How creative these kids are.
Pro-Tutor tip: Schedule a reminder for the end of the school day that pops up and give them a check-list of things to bring home. Purchase an accordion folder and have a daily or weekly clean-out of folders and backpack so that handouts stay organized.
THE OBSESSIVE PENCIL CASE KID
Always: Striving for perfection…
Never: Prioritizing efficiency (or sleep)…
We Admire: The attention they pay to the details.
Pro-Tutor tip: These students search for the “perfect” word, only to stare at a blank word document for 45 minutes or reread the entire textbook before a test. Our tutors teach them how to write and study efficiently through free-writing and editing, anticipation of key themes, tailored study guides and targeted practice problems.
THE SCHOOL ISN’T MY THING KID
Always: Identifying strongly with something outside of school (sports! music! art!)
Never: Understanding how intellectually capable they are.
We Admire: Their creativity/athleticism/passion for things outside of academia.
Pro-Tutor tip: We try to meet all of our students where they are. We may love calculus, but we don’t expect our students to, especially the ones who are struggling, and we use what a student really does want (more autonomy, a good grade, more time for music) to get results. In the long term, our tutors also model intellectual engagement and find moments to connect school work to the real world.
