“It’s your class so you are responsible for happens.”

Have you ever started a conversation with someone and ended up talking about something and you had no idea how you got there?  It can easily happen during your tutoring session.  Especially in a session where you allow the student to give their opinion or just openly discuss any topic.  So how do you control the pace or better yet, how do you control what happens during your sessions?  

• SUGGESTION ONE

  Make sure you have a plan or structure for your session or class.  Yet, be ready to be flexible.

• SUGGESTION TWO

  Keep the plan or structure in writing/typing in front of you somewhere in sight so you can be reminded as you’re talking to the student.

• SUGGESTION THREE

  If or when things go off track, pause and make a statement or ask a question that puts you back on track.

If the student continues to go off track and discusses something else, that’s okay.  If it doesn’t violate your expectations or the platform that you are using, just go with it.  It may show what they are truly interested in.  Listen and see how you can assist them with their topic yet reach the intended goal.

Note: If their topic is inappropriate or worse, you have ever right to stop the session immediately and report what happened and request that the person be blocked.

Remember, this is your space, and you decide what happens in it.  You want it to be a safe and comfortable environment for both you and your student.

Photo by Jonathan Chng on Unsplash