For scientifically-minded students interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields, high school is an absolutely critical period for learning.
Not only are the secondary years the time when students learn the basic concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, and math that they will prepare them for higher level study at university or college, it is also when they learn the study habits and test taking skills that are so important for thriving in the competitive STEM environment.
These skills are just as important if not more so than the actual information imparted in class, and the most successful students are not so much the brightest ones, as those most able to develop the cluster of habits that empower learning.
If you have a child interested in going into STEM but who has been struggling to master the independent study habits necessary to enter this field, here are three ways a tutor can help them improve outcomes in the coming year.
1. Students Get One-on-One Help
Learning is a collaborative activity, and it is often most effective when students have a chance to engage in a back-and-forth dialogue with their teachers. Unfortunately, even before many schools opted to go online in response to the coronavirus pandemic, large class sizes have often meant students who require more personalized help to master complex ideas get left behind.
Tutoring provides that essential one-on-one support that allows children to learn at their own pace and spend extra time talking through difficult course material.
2. Tutors Help Students Develop Good Learning Habits
Tutoring isn't just about spending a little more time on the lessons of the week, though - when you hire tutoring services they should also focus on developing the learning strategies and habits that will help students become more self-sufficient.
For example, a tutor should help your child create plans for things like:
Test and exam prep
Note taking
Time management
Goal-setting
Organization
By mastering these soft skills, students also develop the confidence that is essential to learning, and will be better prepared for learning challenges down the road.
3. Tutoring Services Offer a Range of Learning Options
Every student learns differently, and while some students have struggled with the switch to online schooling, others have thrived. In both cases, tutoring can help, either by giving students who are falling behind added support or by providing an opportunity to set more aggressive learning goals for those who are no longer being challenged.
Whether students need help overcoming math anxiety or want to make sure they get top marks in the STEM components of the SAT, services like Prep Academy Tutors can connect students with the tutor and format that works best.
For young people who want a rewarding career at the cutting edge of technological and scientific advancement, STEM is an essential foundation. But a thorough STEM education is demanding even under the best circumstances, and it's normal for students who want to go down this path to require focused help.
Hiring a tutor who specializes in STEM is a great way to ensure that your child has the resources, support, and skills they need to flourish in this field, and to lay a solid learning foundation that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their life.
