Tutors Improve Organization

Tutors Can Improve Organization Skills

Students often come to us for tutoring help when their organization skills do not keep pace with the growing expectations teachers have as a child moves through school. For instance, we get a lot of requests for free tutoring consultations from students who are in 6th grade and 9th grade. These are critical years when there is a jump in expectations: from elementary school to middle school, and from middle school to high school. Organizational skills are critical at these transitions, and we have tutors who specialize in helping students develop strong organization skills so they can succeed.

Organization Helps at all Levels

We also help students who run into problems at other grade levels in elementary, middle and high school. At some point, all students realize that the organization system they have been using (if any) does not work any more. Many are able to adjust and figure out a system that works on their own, but many need assistance in doing that. We run into super busy students who are trying to maintain As in AP classes while playing a sport and participating in the school play, and students who are turned off by school and struggling to pass. Both types of students can benefit from organization tutoring help, but they will require different strategies to reach their goals.

Organization Makes a Big Difference

Organization can make a big difference in a student's performance. If a student in constantly missing homework assignments, forgetting to study for tests, and waiting until the last minute to complete projects, then there is a good chance that an organizational overhaul is needed. If you open up your child's backpack, and you are afraid to stick your hand inside, this is another good sign that your child has a weak organizational system.

Why Study Skills Classes Often Don't Work

Study skills classes often do not work. Why? Because most study skills courses treat organization, time management, and study skills as separate areas from the everyday academic life of a student. This is unrealistic, and it is why most students see study skills classes as "busy work" and a waste of time.

Practical Application and Follow Up

What students need is practical application of organizational and time management techniques, and regular follow ups to make sure the student is applying the techniques properly. Also, students will need to modify the plan as they realize what works and what doesn't work. What works for one student may or may not work for another--each solution needs to be customized. Students can get this support from parents, if they have the time and energy to stay on top of it, and if the parents can work with the student without putting strain on their relationship.

Organizational Skills Tutoring Can Work Wonders

This is why organizational help lends itself to one-on-one tutoring. The tutor can help a student apply sound organizational techniques while the student gets focused subject area support. The organizational skills are immediately applied to assignments that need to be done anyway, so the student does not feel like "busy work" is being applied. When students see that the organizational work they do makes assignments easier, they are more likely to buy in and make the support even more effective.