Why Being a Volunteer Tutor Is Important

Are you considering becoming a volunteer tutor? Perhaps you want to increase your volunteer hours. Or maybe, you want to utilize your experience as an older sibling to mentor other kids. Whatever your reasons may be, tutoring is more impactful than many people realize.

Not only is it a way to help students in school, but volunteer tutoring gives you important skills that are useful in both your career and personal life. In this blog, we’ll go over the various benefits both tutors and their students get from tutoring.

How Does Tutoring Help Students

In a school setting, teachers have to juggle teaching 20 to even 40 kids in a classroom. So, students don’t always get a chance to ask all the questions they have. Some might not feel comfortable asking questions in front of their classmates. This leaves them confused and frustrated when they work on their homework.

However, as a tutor, you can clarify the material they learned in class and help them avoid getting behind.

In addition, students get one-on-one attention through tutoring. Because every student is unique, this gives them the individualized support they need to thrive. Some students work slower, others faster, and you can accommodate your teaching style to suit their needs.

Taking the time to work through each step of a particularly challenging word problem with your student will reduce some of their stress. Thanks to your guidance, they’re going to come out feeling more competent and willing to learn.

On that note, the most valuable thing you can give students is a boost of self-confidence. Often, students have the misconception that they’re not “smart enough” because they don’t understand something the first time they learn it.

However, this is simply untrue! In reality, they just need a little extra support. Your in-depth example problems are exactly what they need to grasp a new concept.

Being a Volunteer Tutor Is Rewarding

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Giving is receiving?” Well, I’m glad to tell you that this statement is proven by evidence. Tutoring, for example, increases your brain’s release of dopamine and serotonin (the happy hormones)! 

With an improved mood and the knowledge that you’re helping students reach their highest potential, you’ll be ready to take on the world. You’ll be encouraged to engage in more acts of kindness.

I mean, if helping a student with their English homework can make such a great impact, who knows what else you can do?

Long-term Benefits of Being a Tutor

Tutoring teaches you to be patient and understanding. When a student has a tough day, it’s harder for them to focus on their schoolwork or comprehend what you’re teaching them. By being kind and taking things slow, you can cross this barrier with them and have a successful tutoring session.

The value of patience goes beyond tutoring. Patience lets you be a better friend and family member. For instance, it makes you a better listener. You’ll know to be understanding of their problems and concerns because empathy is so important as a tutor. 

Being a compassionate tutor translates to being an effective professional. Just like you thoughtfully answer your student’s questions, a doctor gives their patients guidance to improve their health. Just like you explain the steps of the quadratic equation, a doctor explains why a medication is beneficial.

Tutoring can even prepare you to be a CEO. CEOs, like tutors, have to lead people through difficult times. CEOs also have to make critical business decisions to maximize profits. This will become second nature to you. After all, choosing which teaching method will help your student the most is an important decision too.

Final Thoughts on Volunteer Tutoring

Feeling excited about becoming a tutor? I hope so! The role that tutors play to fill the gap in education is inspiring. You have what it takes to contribute to this positive impact volunteer tutors make! 

Are you wondering how to become a tutor? You can sign up to be a volunteer academic coach on UPchieve’s online tutoring platform. This means that you can make a difference in a student’s life from the comforts of your home.

You’re going to be an awesome tutor!