JJ 4

"The Writers You Tutor" reading came at an appropriate time for me. As I am getting to know my two students and learning about their strengths and weaknesses I have already noticed that I am approaching each meeting differently depending on which student I am meeting. I realized that there isn't (and shouldn't be) a standard script to stick to that fits all sizes and a good tutor is one that has flexibility to pinpoint specific and non-overlapping student issues. I found the observation in the text that some students are more comfortable with a bit of pre-tutoring chit-chat while others want to get down to business and not waste any time to mirror the wide spectrum my two students exist in writing wise. I am going to start thinking of the first couple of sessions with a student as a time where I think carefully about the particular needs of this student and generate some ideas that for helping in a particular way. I think giving myself some time to orientate myself to my student in the beginning will pay off better than getting into the drafts, outlines, etc. immediately. I would be curious to hear how the seasoned tutors have learned to adapt to the needs of their students.

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