I offer two approaches depending on the type of tutoring the student needs: one for general improvement in the subject, and one for the specific material the student will encounter or is encountering in their academic journey.

For general improvement, I always start with a screening session. This involves giving the student an old exam sheet (or something comparable) to test their overall proficiency in the subject, while observing their approaches and tactics. If I notice any bad habits or tactics, I will demonstrate better strategies after the screening to improve their problem-solving practices.

I then grade the sheet to identify specific areas that need focus and build a study plan with the student to address these weaker areas. Once the study plan has been completed, I conduct a quick test on the covered material, followed by another screening session. This cycle repeats to ensure continuous improvement.

For specific improvements, I review the material covered in their courses, noting the important concepts. I then hold one-on-one lectures with the student, helping them conceptualise the core ideas and encouraging frequent repetition of the material. The student will then present the material back to me, and, if applicable, we will engage in problem-solving based on the specific material covered.

Once all the material has been reviewed, I will test them in an exam-like situation to identify any gaps in their knowledge or retention. If any gaps are found, we will focus on those areas and retest to ensure complete understanding.

In this way, I always meet the students at their level, and work on tangible and tailored improvements from their position.