Ways a Tutor Can Help a Student De-Stress about Calculus

By Huntington Learning Center

Ways a Tutor Can Help a Student De-Stress about Calculus

 Just mention the word calculus and you might notice that your high school student will quickly want to change the subject. The truth is that pre-calculus and calculus can be quite intimidating for students. Some might find it too difficult, and as the concepts become more complicated, they'll begin to retreat before they even try to understand them. Others might just find math of any kind boring and prefer other subjects. If pre-calculus and calculus are overwhelming for your child, he or she might be a good candidate for calculus help from a tutor. Here are some ways a tutor can help your student see calculus in a new light:

Adapt to a Particular Learning Style: Conceptualizing complex subjects can be difficult when they are being taught to a large group of students. Some students are auditory learners and can learn just by listening to a lecture; others are technical learners and need to practice in order to make sense of a concept. A teacher might not be able to reach each and every single student, and will only know if someone is having trouble after a couple of less-than-stellar quizzes or tests. Using one-on-one communication and lessons tailored to a student’s learning style, a tutor might be able to reach a student in a way that's just not possible in the classroom.

Show Where Calculus Is Used in Everyday Life and Careers: If algebra deals with how numbers relate to each other, it could be said that calculus is defined by the relationships of equations. With that in mind, concepts of pre-calculus and calculus can be used in a variety of careers and everyday life, especially if a student aspires to an engineering or science career. When a tutor points out ways calculus concepts can be used outside of the classroom, it can help to improve a student’s motivation and understanding.

Organization: One-on-one tutoring sessions help create regularity in a student's schedule, enabling them to devote more time to their calculus studies. Pre-calculus and calculus build on concepts and require a strong foundation. A student that falls behind early in their studies will not be able to move on to new concepts. With regular sessions, students can focus on their homework and prepare for tests, so they can stay on top of what is going on in the classroom.

For more information about how a tutor can help your child fret less about calculus, please contact a Huntington representative today!