Frequently Asked Questions - Looking for a Tutor
We receive desperate e-mails at findAtutor.ca with pleas to help them find a tutor. That's part of the reason findAtutor.ca was created! We do not actively search for tutors on your behalf, but here are a few suggestions to help in your search.
Since you're here, findAtutor.ca is a good place to start. Find instructions on how to efficiently search the listings on our "How to..." page. If your area isn't listed, try searching an area near yours, for all areas in your province, or see if there is an on-line tutor.
Check with other sources of listings and advertising, councelling offices and teachers maintain lists of tutors, or have bulletin boards where tutors post ads. Find out through your teacher if there is a peer tutoring or drop in help centre at your school. Ask friends/parents for the number of the tutor they are using.
Once you've found your tutor, suggest they list on findAtutor.ca so finding a tutor will be easier for others in the future!
Response: How much can you afford?
There are no rules or guidelines on what a tutor should, or can, charge. Each individual tutor has taken into account their expenses, actual time devoted to tutoring, and personal worth to determine an appropriate rate for their services.
Generally the more education and experience a tutor has, the more they will charge. That doesn't mean you have to pay top dollar to get a good tutor, but a good tutor may cost more than the "average."
Many post secondary students offer very reasonable rates for tutoring, however their school year is significantly different from a high school student's. They may want to focus more on their own studies during exam time. You should make sure they will be around when you need them, and available the next year if you want to continue with tutoring in following grades.
"Professional" tutors tend to charge more, and many offer excellent service. They will apply extra care and attention to your specific tutoring needs. An expensive tutor doesn't always mean you'll get the best tutor for you. Personality match and willingness on the part of the student are as important as any skill and experience the tutor has.
Looking at a list of tutors on findAtutor.ca can give you a feel for a "going rate," but remember that this is only a small sample of tutoring and private learning options available.
You will have to assess for yourself what your tutoring and financial requirements are and determine what you can afford.
You may be in a unique course, remote location, or, as many post secondary students are, flat broke. Now what? Here are some suggests, most are geared to college/university or upper level high school students, but may be helpful for others as well.
Ask the teacher for help, many will see you outside of class room time to help out. If you find your teacher unapproachable, try asking another teacher you had that you liked.
Form or join a study group. Try asking your lab partner, or just be brave and ask the person sitting next to you if they want to get together to study later, or announce to the class you want to form a study group. Be prepared to organize a time and location for meeting.
Search for help online. There are many resources and self directed tutorials online for specific subjects.
Get the solutions manual for your text book. They often include complete solutions with added explanations. If you can't afford yet another text book, check for it at the library, try the school library first, and then the public library. There may be other books that explain things differently so you can understand the concepts better. Check used book stores, previous editions of text books with solutions manuals can often be found at rock bottom prices.
Finally, ask a tutor on findAtutor.ca if they might help in a subject outside their expertise, or for a reduced rate. You'll have more luck if you don't leave it until the last minute, and be flexible to meet on their schedule. Tutors may be more willing to give you a break during school holidays than exam time.