A vital part of the tutoring role is building a personal relationship with each tutee, to make tutees feel that they are valued and cared for, and that they belong to a community of learners. Findings from large scale projects such as the ‘What Works? Student Retention & Success programme’ show that a sense of belonging to an institution can greatly impact student engagement and success, but building these relationships isn’t always easy, depending upon the personality of both the student and tutor.
Students need to feel comfortable and at ease with their academic tutor so that they can discuss their problems or concern and share their success and achievements more willingly. Tutors need to be aware of their body language, and the verbal and non-verbal signals that they project to tutees. Tutors should also be aware of the physical environment in which they meet and should take steps to ensure that it does not make tutees feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
It is extremely important for students to have an approachable tutor who displays a genuine interest in their welfare and development. As tutors, we need to remember that what we say to tutees and how we say it will impact on how approachable they find us. In conversations with your tutees you should be respectful and non-judgemental of their circumstances, and you should show this through the language you use and the verbal and non-verbal signals you project. Even when they are extremely busy, a skilled tutor can make the student feel valued and supported and that they genuinely care.