Challanges

I believe that there will be a lot of challenges when I begin tutoring in the next couple of weeks just because I have no prior experience with peer to peer tutoring. One of the biggest challenges I think, for me at least, will be getting over the whole awkwardness of the session. I think that people tend to open up to other people that they find relatable and easy to talk to and I’m neither of these things then the session may end up being counterproductive.

I think I can use a lot of what we learned in class to help combat this awkwardness by trying to directly relate to the student. Providing a comfortable environment where the student feels at ease is one of my top goals because only then will they be able to open up and discuss what they have written. Not only that, they will be able to talk to me about how they’re felling and what direction that want to take their writing in. I think that being able to direct a student’s writing in the direction that they want to go is going to be one of the most rewarding things about being a tutor. 

Another challenge I may come across is my lack of knowledge about particular types of writing. Screenplays, poetry, and artistic pieces are all extremely foreign to me. I would really have no idea what is considered a good piece of creative writing and what would need to be altered. That being said, I think that the peer tutoring relationship could be mutually beneficial in this way because not only would I get to learn about creative styles; they would get to learn more of the editorial newsy style that I’m accustomed to. I really can’t wait to begin peer tutoring and meeting my mentor. I think this is going to be a really positive experience despite my biggest challenge and I hope that I can work to overcome all the challenges that I face.