How can I become a private tutor while at university?

Being at university is synonymous with needing some extra income. Whether it's for our whims or to earn our own money, looking for student jobs is always a good idea.  

One of the most frequently asked questions in the world of private classes is whether you can be a private tutor while you are still a student. The answer is clearly yes, in fact it is one of the most common. 

A student may be able to answer more specific questions as they may be more familiar with the subject, as they've studied it more recently. 

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Subject matter experts can be of great long-term value to us, broaden our horizons and train us for much more than a simple exam. However, if we want to pass an exam, another student may be the solution to help us.

If you are going to start tutoring as a student, the first thing you need to be clear about is that you need to be organised and manage your time well. So get ready because we will tell you how to do it.

Requirements to become a tutor

As the name suggests, being a private tutor is limited to the private and individual sphere, therefore a tutor will have to meet the requirements that the student, or the person who hires them, considers necessary.

One of the biggest doubts is whether a degree is needed to become a tutor. The truth is that you don't, but most tutors who register on online tutoring platforms have some common characteristics.

They don't all have specific qualifications, but they do have a number of attributes that if you want to teach, it's a good idea to work on them:

• They are experts in something: Even if they don't have specific studies, such as a degree, they have a perfect command of a subject. For example, there are Spanish tutors who have lived in Spain for a long time, or music tutors who are self-taught.
• Motivated to teach: Many people see private tuition as easy money or something temporary and unimportant, but you really need to be highly motivated. A good tutor gets is committed to the progress of their students even if they only see them for a couple of hours a week.

• Resources to transmit: What is really important to be a tutor is not what you know, but how you explain it. In most cases you won't decide the content of the classes, as you are there to reinforce, so work on your communication skills, explain things in a different way.
• Empathy and understanding: There are two types of tutors, those who are hired to solve a possible school failure and those who teach leisure subjects in their free time (music, drawing, dance, language teaching...). The former deal with young people who need help and the latter give lessons to people after a long working day. If in both cases we do not work to connect with and understand the student, we are lost and we will not teach anything at all.

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Is education important when it comes to tutoring?

As we have already said, it is not essential to have a degree when it comes to being a tutor. If you take a closer look, tutor by tutor, you will find people with very different backgrounds: students, experts in the subject, experts in other subjects who have mastered the subject...

And the truth is that they are all equally valid. What many students really take into account is the experience of the tutors. Sometimes, a tutor with a lot of experience in teaching or in his or her field counts more than one with a lot of studies.

But the only thing you have to have is attitude. If you register on a web platform, try to fill in a profile that reflects your enthusiasm and attitude towards teaching. And if you really want to, as soon as you have your first students, everything will go smoothly.

However, one of the aspects that can be influenced by education is the price of private tuition. It is common that those tutors who have more studies charge more per hour and their students are willing to pay it.

Remember that the price of the classes is set by each tutor and it is the student who decides whether they are willing to pay it or not. However, it often happens that if a tutor with a high level of training sets a high price, the students value it highly.

It is not a fixed rule, the price of classes is not an exact mathematical rule. In fact, some tutors who do not have a degree but who have experience or who offer something special, set high prices and have many students.

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Where should I start teaching?

If you are afraid to start teaching and don't know how to start, there are a few things you can do beforehand:

• Take classes to teach: There are many courses for trainers that introduce you to the world of teaching at a basic level. But if you can't find them, you can always hire a tutor to give private tuition. On platforms such as Classgap you will find people willing to give you online tuition for a small fee.

• Give lessons to people you trust: you can start by giving lessons to people in your family or acquaintances for a reduced price and test yourself. Even try it with classmates who have to pass something you passed.
• Become a volunteer tutor: you can become a tutor to help young people with financial problems. You will gain experience while doing a good deed. Get in touch with an NGO or join Tus Clases Solidarias, a platform specialised in volunteering for tutors.

How to advertise as a tutor

It is without a doubt the key to getting students and starting private tuition. How you sell yourself is what will differentiate you from the rest. It is the advantage you have over the rest of the tutors, that your advert is creative and eye-catching.

• Be clear: Don't overextend yourself, the student has to understand what you offer, beyond your studies and experience you have to reflect your attitude and if you do it in a complicated way they won't be able to understand you.
• Your credentials: It is important to say what you have done, but more importantly what it means. For example, if you have lived in Spain or two years, don't just say that, say that this has given you fluency in spoken Spanish and a wide range of everyday vocabulary.

• Complete profile and photograph: If you are going to advertise on any platform, fill out your profile completely, this will improve your positioning and include a photograph. Many students find it difficult to trust their tutors if they don't see their faces.
• Spread the word: Use your social networks to spread your profile or to advertise yourself. The power of social media is incredible and you don't know who might see you and hire you.

Become a private tutor today

Once you've made up your mind that being a private tutor is a good option for you, you can start creating your advert on FindTutors. Once you've created a profile and advert, you can start getting students straight away. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now and start earning extra cash while you study!