I was more relaxed entering the Writing Collab to observe another tutoring session than I had been the first time. This time, I had a better idea of what to expect. I was familiar with the physical area of the Writing Collab, with its comfy couches and brewing coffee pot. However, I had also grown more comfortable with the tutoring process itself, being that it was no longer my first rodeo.
This time I observed Princess, a wonderful tutor in the Writing Collab who took a quiet but meaningful approach to tutoring. While Marissa’s session had lasted the entirety of the time, this session couldn’t have lasted much more than ten minutes. Princess, as well as some of the other tutors in the Collab this day, explained to me afterward that this was very common. This was interesting to learn, as it gave me a better idea of what working with tutees in the Collab will actually be like next semester, if I get the job.
Although Princess definitely seems to be a more reserved tutor, she was quite friendly with the tutee and seemed to make her feel instantly comfortable. She asked the question that most tutors here ask: “Would you like to read it aloud or should I?”
It’s great to see this method in practice, as I will definitely be using it myself when I tutor students. However, I also think back to the mock tutoring sessions we did in class, where I realized taking the time to read the entirety of a 6-page paper may not be the most effective way of using my time with the tutee. I’m glad that I can take what I have seen while observing tutors and use it make the session the best it can possibly be, but I’m also glad that I’m flexible enough to find a different approach when the situation at hand calls for it.
Though Princess’ tutoring session did not last long, she addressed all of the tutee’s concerns and pointed out to her the higher order concerns that needed addressing. I was glad to see this, as I also plan to make content of the paper a priority, while still addressing lower order concerns that the tutee may want to discuss.
After having observed two sessions, it is easy to see how the tutors’ approaches fall in line with the readings we have done as a class. I feel that my biggest takeaway is that there is no real rulebook when it comes to tutoring. Sure, there are certainly approaches one can rely on as a tutor and methods that are important to keep in mind, but a good tutor is flexible and willing to adjust to the needs of each individual student without spoon-feeding them the answers.
