Tutoring can make the difference of academic success for many students.  Having a tutor can mean that a student has a stronger grasp of the course material and may receive a better grade.  Most of us understand why a student may want to get a tutor.

However, we may wonder why a student might want to become a tutor.  Of course, some students may become a tutor for some extra income, but tutoring is time-consuming and requires hard work, preparation, and effort.  Why would your student want to become a peer tutor to help other students with their coursework?

There are actually many benefits of tutoring — for the tutor as well as for the tutee.  You may want to help your student consider why they might want to become a peer tutor at their college or university.

• Peer tutors are usually paid.  The wage may be minimum, but tutoring is one good way for a student to earn some extra spending money.
• Tutors often have flexible hours and can set convenient appointment times with students.  Tutoring times can be worked around your student’s schedule.
• Tutors often make a difference in the lives of the students that they tutor.  For a student who wants to contribute to their community and have meaningful interactions with others and make a difference, tutoring is a great avenue.
• Teaching someone else material is the best way to solidify the material and learn it better.  Although your student may feel that they understand course content, they will look at it and learn it in a completely new way when they try to help someone else understand it.
• Tutors often make important gains in their problem-solving abilities.  In order to help others learn material, they need to understand students and learning styles, resolve complex issues and break things down into separate parts.
• Your student may gain a greater sense of empathy as a tutor.
• Your student may gain important self-esteem and confidence as a tutor.
• Your student may gain important interpersonal skills by working on listening, communicating clearly and accurately, dealing with possible intercultural issues and creating a positive communication climate.
• Your student may gain greater self-awareness as they discover their own strengths and weaknesses and helps tutees consider theirs.
• Your student will work at goal setting skills as they help the tutee plan a course of action.
• Your student will gain understanding of the balance between support and challenge as they create a plan to help the tutee achieve their goals.
• Your student will have an important experience to add to their resume.  The academic experience, responsibility, and individual skills will be important qualities of interest to employers.
• Your student may make new friends.

Becoming a peer tutor is a position of prestige on many college campuses.  Your student will have an opportunity to gain important skills at the same time that they are helping others.  They will be able to learn material better than they would in any other way and to grow personally. Encourage your college student to explore this possible way to add to their college experiences.

Related Posts:

Why Peer Tutoring May Be Helpful for Your College Student

Tutoring Can Help Your College Student Succeed: Twelve Reasons to Start Early

What Kinds of On-Campus Jobs Are Available for My College Student?