Let’s face it, signing up for maths tutors, science tutors, chemistry tutors, biology tutors, physics tutors or any subject specific A Level Tutors and GCSE tutors isn’t exactly a thrilling Friday night activity. But you’re not here just for fun. You have goals and aspirations, and that’s why you’ve chosen to work with online tutors to achieve them. To ensure your private lessons are making a difference, it’s essential to have effective methods of tracking your progress. Here at Tutorspot, our experienced tutors have worked with numerous students, and they understand the importance of accountability in planning and delivering lessons. Here are our top tips for tracking your A Level and GCSE studies through online tutoring.
Set Clear Goals
When you start working with a personal tutor, there is a specific reason behind it. Identify your goals and what you hope to achieve through tutoring. Do you want to improve your overall knowledge in a subject? If so, determine your aim and how you will measure your progress. Are you aiming to raise your grade? Assessing your proximity to that goal is relatively straightforward since it involves a tangible mark. If you are studying A level Biology, for instance, speak with your A level biology tutor to agree your starting grade, and then reassess your grade with your biology tutor a few weeks later. Maybe you want to feel more confident in answering specific types of questions within a subject. In this case, periodically gauge your improvement by practicing those question types and monitoring your answers and confidence over time. For maths, you may want to improve areas such as Statistics, Mechanics or Algebra. Ask your online maths tutor to help you with this by setting you questions for each topic every few weeks. Regardless of your goal, ensure everyone involved is aware of it and knows how to consistently work towards it.
Assess Your Feelings
While assessing your feelings about a subject may not be as concrete as improvements in grades, it’s still a valuable indicator of progress. As you engage in sessions with your tutor, reflect on how you now feel about the subject. Do you have more confidence? Are you finding that you can answer more questions than before? Are you actively participating in class discussions? Do you approach homework assignments in the subject with less apprehension? Changes in how you answer these questions compared to your initial responses demonstrate that progress is being made.
Communicate with Your Tutor
Every tutor is unique, and they may have different ways of tracking your progress based on the subject and their teaching style. However, all tutors will recognise when your confidence is increasing and you are making strides in your learning. Tutors live for those “light bulb” moments when you grasp a concept or theory that previously eluded you. They will remember those breakthroughs and know that you are progressing when you consistently experience them and move on to the next level of understanding. For GCSE Biology, for example, you may be struggling with topics such as homeostasis or bioenergetics. Your GCSE biology tutor or GCSE science tutor could help you to increase your confidence to learn and remember these topics. Additionally, many tutors will also utilise past papers and assessments to track progress. They may provide an initial baseline assessment to gauge your understanding and then ask you to retake the same paper after a few weeks to compare your progress.
Keep Track of Your Assignments and Progress
To effectively track your A Level and GCSE studies with the help of tutoring online, it’s crucial to stay organised and maintain a record of your assignments, lessons, and progress. Create a study plan or schedule that outlines your tutoring sessions, independent study time, and deadlines for assignments or exams. Use a planner or digital tools to keep track of upcoming tasks and mark them as completed once finished. This way, you can visually see your progress and ensure that you’re staying on top of your studies.
Moreover, consider maintaining a study journal or notebook. Use it to jot down key concepts, formulas, or strategies discussed during your tutoring sessions. This will serve as a valuable reference tool when you need to review or revise specific topics. Additionally, make notes on your personal observations and reflections. Document your areas of improvement, challenges you’ve overcome, and any new insights gained through tutoring. By documenting your journey, you’ll have tangible evidence of your progress and the growth you’ve achieved.
Seek Regular Feedback
Feedback plays a vital role in tracking your progress. Regularly seek feedback from your tutor online, as they can provide valuable insights into your strengths, areas for improvement, and overall progress. Actively engage in discussions with your tutor and ask for feedback on your performance in various areas of the subject. This feedback can help you identify specific areas where you need to focus more attention and guide your study efforts. It also allows you to adjust your learning strategies and adapt to new challenges.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from your teachers at school or college. They can provide a different perspective and offer guidance on how to integrate your tutoring progress with your classroom learning. By involving your teachers in the process, you create a cohesive approach to your studies and ensure that all aspects of your education align towards your goals.
Take Advantage of Online Resources
In addition to your online tutoring sessions, take advantage of the vast array of online resources available to track your progress. Many websites and platforms offer practice tests, quizzes, and interactive exercises specifically designed for A Level and GCSE subjects. These resources allow you to assess your knowledge and understanding of different topics, providing immediate feedback and highlighting areas that need improvement. By regularly engaging with such resources, you can monitor your progress and identify any gaps in your understanding.
Furthermore, online educational platforms often provide progress tracking features. These features allow you to see your performance over time, track completion of assignments or modules, and provide insights into your strengths and weaknesses. Make use of these tools to gain a comprehensive overview of your progress and make informed decisions on areas that require additional attention.
By implementing these strategies and utilising the benefits of online tutoring, you can effectively track your A Level and GCSE studies. Remember to set clear goals, assess your feelings and confidence, communicate with your tutor and teachers, stay organised, seek feedback, and leverage online resources. With consistent effort and monitoring, you’ll be able to measure your progress and work towards achieving your desired academic outcomes.
At Tutorspot, we are dedicated to supporting your educational journey. Connect with our online tutors today and embark on a path of continuous improvement and success in your A Level and GCSE studies.
Whether you want to look for online maths tutors, online chemistry tutors, online biology tutors, physics and maths tutors, online science tutors or English tutors, an online tutor can help you to track your studies and to achieve your goals.
To find out more send a text to 07480637128 or send an email to info@tutorspot.co.uk and a member of our team will be on hand to help.
