Getting tutoring isn't just about showing up to a call and hoping things click. Done well, working one-on-one with a tutor can genuinely transform how you learn — deepening your understanding, building your confidence with the subject, and giving you skills you can apply independently long after the session ends.

But done half-heartedly? You'll leave the session no clearer than when you started. Here's how to make every session count.

1. Come to your session prepared

The quality of your session depends almost entirely on how prepared you are going in. A vague "I'm stuck on my essay" will result in a generic conversation. Specific preparation leads to a session that changes how you think about the topic.

Before your session, make sure you have:

  • The exact question or topic you're working on — have it open and ready to share
  • Your marking rubric or assessment criteria — this helps your tutor focus on what actually earns marks
  • Your draft or notes so far — even rough notes give your tutor something to work with and build on
  • Your lecture slides or module materials — so your tutor understands the framework your course uses
  • A list of 3–5 specific questions — the clearer your questions, the more focused the session

The more focused you are going in, the more you'll get out. Tutors are experts at explaining — but they need to know exactly what's confusing you before they can help.

2. Don't book at the last minute if you can help it

We know. Deadlines sneak up on everyone. But booking a session the night before something is due limits what you and your tutor can achieve together. There's no time to revisit things you didn't understand, and the session becomes reactive rather than genuinely educational.

The sweet spot is booking 2–3 days before your deadline. This gives you enough time to absorb the session, work on your own for a bit, and book a follow-up if needed. For dissertations or complex topics, weekly sessions over a longer period are far more effective than one long panic session.

3. Be an active participant — not a passive listener

The biggest mistake students make is sitting back and letting the tutor talk. Your job in a session is to ask questions, push back when you don't understand, and request different explanations if the first one didn't click.

The best tutoring sessions are conversations. When your tutor explains something, test your understanding by summarising it back to them. Ask "why" — not just "how". The more actively you engage, the more you retain.

4. Take notes during the session

This sounds obvious, but many students rely on remembering what was said — and forget most of it within a few hours. Keep a notepad open alongside your video call and jot down:

  • Key frameworks or models your tutor introduces
  • The way they structure explanations (this teaches you how to think about the topic)
  • Specific examples or analogies that made things click
  • Any recommended readings or resources
  • Follow-up questions to look into after the session

You can also use the session recording feature to revisit the explanation later — but notes taken in the moment are still invaluable for active processing.

5. Ask follow-up questions after the session

Most platforms allow you to message your tutor after the session for quick follow-up questions. Don't be shy about using this — it's included for a reason. If something that seemed clear during the call becomes confusing when you try it yourself, send a message. A short back-and-forth in chat can save you hours of confusion.

6. Apply what you learned immediately

The window after a tutoring session is the most valuable learning time. Don't close your laptop and come back to it days later. While the explanations are fresh, try to apply what you just learned — write a paragraph using the framework your tutor introduced, attempt the next problem set, or outline the section of your essay you discussed.

Students who act on session content immediately tend to retain dramatically more than those who plan to "come back to it later". Strike while the iron is hot.

7. Choose your tutor carefully

Not every tutor will be the right fit for every assignment. Before choosing, look for:

  • Subject expertise — do they have specific experience with your module or topic area?
  • Recent reviews — what are other students saying? Look at the text, not just the star rating
  • Their proposal — does it show they actually read your brief, or is it a copy-paste response?
  • Communication style — are they clear, professional, and responsive in their initial message?
  • Completion rate — tutors with high completion rates are reliable; low rates can be a red flag

The best tutors often aren't the cheapest — but they're also rarely the most expensive. Look for the best value for your specific assignment, not the lowest price or the flashiest profile.

8. Build a relationship with a tutor you trust

Once you've found a tutor who consistently runs great sessions and understands how you think, stick with them. Returning students get better results — the tutor already knows your academic level, your voice, and what kinds of feedback you give. Many tutors offer loyalty discounts to repeat students as well.

Think of it like having a personal academic advisor — one who happens to be an expert in exactly the subjects you're studying.

Final thoughts

A great tutoring session is a collaboration. Your tutor brings expertise — you bring context, questions, and engagement. The more you put into each session, the more you'll walk away with.

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