Be clear with your goals. What do you want to achieve? Explain to the tutor why you are seeking help. There are many ways of delivering content. Do you need help to fill in knowledge gaps, are you preparing for exams, or do you want to bump your grade? What is your current grade? What do you want to achieve?

Come prepared. It is impossible for the tutor to know what you need help with as each school has its own curricula plan. Tell your tutor what you need help with at least 24 hours in advance so the tutor can plan in advance. However, most students know what they want to focus on a week in advance. It can be sometimes helpful to send the tutor the school's curricula plan. This is particularly helpful if you want help with a specific topic that you are struggling to remember or understand. Long advanced information can be useful and often tutors can design a plan in order for you to achieve your goals. It is important that you communicate with your tutor what you did not understand in school. You may find it helpful to make notes in school on what you do not understand and send a text to your tutor later.

Be organised: Have a dedicated notebook for each subject and tutor (Trust me you will thank me later). I have seen students writing notes on pieces of paper that they ripped off never to be found again. Science often builds on prior knowledge so it’s really important you keep all notes together so you can easily flick through your notes throughout the sessions. Always write a date and title. It might seem petty but when it comes to the revision you will really appreciate those little notes so they are easy to find. Always complete the tasks you have been asked to do. This is important. We, tutors, have planned a lesson to ensure you not only learn the curricula, but you will have a notebook that you can go back to and use as a revision tool.

If you are seeing a tutor in person: It is even more important to be organized. Tutors often have one student after another so if you are spending time looking for your notebook then that is time lost for you as the tutor can’t be late for the next appointment. Be ready before the tutor arrives (have your notebook, pencil case, glue, and your revision guide ready for the session to start. You will be given worksheets. It is important you glue in all work straight away. This will ensure all work is in order and will complete your notebook.  

Attitude: Have the right attitude for the session. Tutors are there to help and guide you. All tutors and teachers want you to do well. The only thing we ask of you is for you to try your very best. Put away your phone for an hour, forget about the drama of the day and invest some time into yourself. This is the reason you came to us in the first place. We can teach but we cannot do the learning for you. The engagement must come from you.

Communicate: Changes in plans happen all the time. If you need to cancel, let us know as soon as possible. If you cancel in less than 24 hours, you will still have to pay the full charge for the missed lesson. Please communicate the topics you need help with at least 24 hours in advance via what’s app or email. It might not always be possible to have a phone call as tutors are often also teachers during the day. It is best to text via WhatsApp or send an email. If you need to speak to any of our tutors, please arrange a time for a call.

Do's

• Be prepared to learn. Teaching is our responsibility, but the learning is your responsibility
• Come prepared with equipment (notebook, pens calculator periodic table) and remind yourself why you are here
• Let tutors know in advance what you need help with (minimum 24 hours)
• Before each session makes sure you revised the key knowledge from the previous lesson, and that your notebook is in order.

Don’ts

• Be distracted or have a poor attitude. It won’t help you.
• Have loose sheets of paper – you will lose them and never recover them.
• Look for equipment and notebook after the tutors arrived.
• Tell tutors – “let’s do whatever you think is best”. Have a plan. If you are struggling with a plan, ask for help via email or what’s app. Tutors can help to guide you.
• Keep calling on the phone over and over. The tutor is probably teaching. Put your thoughts into an email or what app or schedule a meeting.

If you are currently working your way through the KS3 or KS4 GCSE curriculum and are looking for a tutor to help you get ahead, get in contact with Bump Your Grade