Should your child bring homework? Come with questions? Sit and listen?
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What students do in a session depends entirely on what they need that day, and that can change week to week. Sometimes they’re doing the class homework. Other times we’re filling in foundational gaps, working ahead, or exploring certain topics more deeply.
In this post, I’ll provide a student guide of what to do in a tutoring session, how we decide what to focus on, and what effective progress can look like.
General Advice: How Students Can Make the Most of Tutoring Sessions
Every student is different, and what we do in each session depends on what they need that day. But no matter the topic, these habits help students get the most out of their time:
Be honest about what’s confusing
Try the problems yourself
Ask questions, even small ones
Speak up if something doesn’t make sense
Bring class materials if you can
It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Of course, not every student needs the same kind of help. Some are missing foundational skills, while others understand the material but struggle with applying it. Some need support staying organized, while others just need a quiet, focused space to think things through.
Each tutoring session is shaped by the student in front of me. What we focus on, how I explain things, and even how much we cover in one session can look completely different depending on where that student is starting from and what they need that day.
What Tutoring Can Look Like: Real Examples of Student Progress
To show how tutoring sessions can vary, here are a few real examples of how different students progressed over time. Each of them came in with different needs, different attitudes toward math, and different levels of readiness — and that shaped what we focused on, how we worked together, and how they eventually grew.
Sasha: The Self-Driven Future Doctor
Who She Is: Sasha was a motivated high school student with her sights set on becoming a doctor. She didn’t need weekly tutoring but reached out whenever she hit a roadblock.
Her Challenge: Sasha’s focus was laser-sharp, but there were times when tricky questions needed an expert’s input.
What We Did: Before our sessions, Sasha sent over specific questions she couldn’t solve on her own. During the session, we reviewed her approach, fixed mistakes, and talked through the concepts until everything clicked.
How It Helped: This targeted approach gave Sasha exactly what she needed in less time. She stayed confident and on track with her studies and is now pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor at UBC.
Travis: The STEM Enthusiast
Who He Is: Travis started tutoring in Grade 7 with a passion for STEM. Now in Grade 10, he’s excelling in Pre-Calculus 11 and thinking about a future in science or engineering.
His Challenge: Travis wanted to stay ahead of the class in earlier years. These days, he focuses on perfecting his problem-solving skills and maintaining top grades.
What We Did: Early on, we worked on material before it was taught in school. Now, we review classwork, identify errors, and explore faster, more effective ways to solve problems.
How It Helped: By building his confidence early and refining his skills later, Travis now holds a 94% in Pre-Calculus 11 and feels ready for whatever comes next.
Ena: The Math Enthusiast in Training
Who She Is: Ena started tutoring in Grade 5 when math felt frustrating and confidence was low. Her mom’s goal was simple: help Ena understand math and enjoy it.
Her Challenge: Ena struggled with foundational concepts, like understanding how subtraction reverses addition.
What We Did: We started by reviewing her homework to see where she needed help. If a concept wasn’t sticking, we revisited it. If she wasn’t ready for her current material, we focused on building up her foundation. I also incorporated puzzles and logic games to keep things fun since she loves those.
How It Helped: By working at her pace and focusing on the basics, Ena started enjoying math. Now, she’s learning beyond her grade level, and her mom is thrilled with her progress.
Blake: The Perfectionist
Who He Is: Blake started tutoring in Grade 9 as a high-achiever already a year ahead in math. Over the years, we tackled Math 10 through Calculus 12, as well as chemistry and physics.
His Challenge: Blake’s goal was simple: get the highest grades possible. He wanted to perfect even the hardest test problems.
What We Did: If Blake was already ahead on schoolwork, we focused on word problems or higher-level test scenarios. I introduced advanced questions to challenge him and refine his problem-solving methods.
How It Helped: Blake thrived with this approach. He appreciated being pushed and loved learning new, efficient methods. This consistency helped him achieve the top grades he worked so hard for.
Mason: The Business-Minded Hard Worker
Who He Is: Mason’s goal was to master university-level calculus in preparation for a business degree. We worked together from Pre-Calculus 10 through first-year calculus.
His Challenge: Mason needed more time to fully grasp concepts, but his determination and work ethic never wavered.
What We Did: In the summers, we got ahead by learning upcoming material. During the school year, we met twice a week to review homework, prepare for tests, and reinforce any areas that needed extra practice.
How It Helped: This steady, consistent approach gave Mason the confidence and skills he needed to succeed. He mastered calculus and feels ready to take on his business studies.
Luke: The Trust-Building Learner
Who He Is: Luke started with occasional tutoring sessions in Grade 9 when his mom booked help for specific topics. It soon became clear that he needed a stronger math foundation, so we moved to weekly sessions in Grade 10.
His Challenge: Luke wasn’t ready for a structured tutoring schedule at first, and his foundational math skills needed work.
What We Did: During sessions, Luke would come with specific questions. I balanced answering those with gently introducing new study strategies and concepts I knew would help him long-term.
How It Helped: While Luke is still early in his journey, I’ve seen real progress already. Moments of relief when he finally grasps a concept show we’re on the right track, and we’re continuing to build trust and a solid foundation for success.
Lila: The Persistent Learner
Who She Is: Lila started tutoring in Grade 8 when pandemic learning threw her off course. Now in Grade 12, she’s juggling pre-calculus and chemistry with a much heavier workload.
Her Challenge: Early on, Lila struggled to keep up in the pandemic learning environment. This year, she’s had to improve her study skills to stay on top of Grade 12 demands.
What We Did: In earlier years, we worked through homework together. Now, Lila completes the problems ahead of time and comes with questions about what she didn’t understand. This shift has helped her build independence and focus on tougher material.
How It Helped: With regular sessions throughout the school year and summers, Lila has become more confident in her ability to ask for help and trust the process. Her improved study habits are making a real difference as she tackles Grade 12.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, what to do in a tutoring session depends on the student and their needs at the time.
Whether a student needs to strengthen their foundation, work ahead, or perfect test strategies, every session is tailored to help them in the way that works best for them.
If you’re curious about what tutoring could look like for you or your child, feel free to reach out. We can create a plan that fits your goals, learning style, and schedule. Contact me today!
