The aim of Academic Tuition is to provide, through a strong and meaningful tutor/tutee relationship, a stable and consistent point of contact and academic support for every undergraduate and taught postgraduate student at York St John University. An Academic Tutor is a member of academic staff who is responsible for providing a link between the student and the university, for monitoring academic progress, and for facilitating personal development.
Academic Tuition should not be viewed as a mechanism only for supporting students who are finding it difficult to cope with the academic demands of their course and are ‘at risk’ of withdrawing from University. Learning how to learn is a complex and unfolding process and any student may need some academic support at some point. This could result from their course of study requiring them to think and work in different ways, from unfamiliar challenges within the degree subject or from personal issues such as health problems, family bereavement or financial worries impacting on their ability to cope with their studies.
For many Academic Tutors, helping and supporting tutees is enjoyable and satisfying, but the role can also be challenging. The challenge comes through the difficulties of managing the role, gaining the confidence and experience to address students’ development, and knowing how to handle the problems presented by tutees.
This handbook will help you
- understand the role of an Academic Tutor and what is expected of you
- appreciate and employ effective tutoring skills
- manage the role effectively