How to make the most of tutorials

Tutorials are perhaps the most valuable part of university contact time. Smaller group sizes facilitate more personalised and interactive learning and give tutors the opportunity to offer individuals more tailored support. ‘The idea is to put into practice what you’re learning in lectures,’ explains Kate Harris, a drug discovery lecturer at Newcastle University, UK. ‘There’s a big difference between understanding a new concept and being able to apply that knowledge to solve a problem! Tutorial sessions are all about bridging that gap.’

Below, the experts share their advice on how to make the most of these small sessions.

Try every question

A difficult problem sheet is a big undertaking, but Harris strongly encourages her students to attempt every question, even if they can’t make it all the way to the answer. ‘It’s really important for learners to try hands-on problems in order to process the information,’ she explains. Problem solving is a specific skill, distinct from theoretical understanding, and students need to take the time to practise applying knowledge in unfamiliar contexts. Working through a problem can help you identify which parts you’ve understood clearly and where you’re still struggling, enabling you to target your revision.

However, Harris cautions, there also comes a point when it’s time to draw the line. ‘Don’t bang your head against a brick wall to the point of feeling rubbish about yourself. If you’ve given the work a good go, but you’ve reached a point where you’re really stuck, the most helpful thing to do is write that on your answer sheet,’ she says.

Don’t be afraid to be wrong

Any clues as to what you’re finding difficult are always welcome, says Matt Rattley, a lecturer and tutor in biochemistry at the University of Oxford, UK. Wrong answers, workings out, and even questions scribbled in the margins all provide crucial information that helps your tutor to identify how to best help you. ‘A student doesn’t have to work out where they got stuck or why they don’t know something – that’s for the tutor to do,’ they say. ‘Getting things wrong is part of the process and, if I can see where and why they’ve gone wrong in their answer, we can fix it.’ 

Respect the deadlines

Learning to meet deadlines is a life skill and most tutors are quite intentional about the time they allow for different pieces of work. Many academic staff have responsibilities outside of teaching – be it research, course administration or pastoral care – and submission deadlines enable them to set aside time for marking and planning. ‘If you’re going to miss deadlines, you cannot assume that the tutor is then going to have time to mark your work,’ warns Harris.

At the same time, tutors are aware that circumstances are sometimes outside of a student’s control. ‘If you can’t meet the deadline, inform someone down the proper channels and give a reason,’ she says. ‘It’s not to penalise you, but to make sure that you learn that life skill and that everybody can be supported fairly.’

Ask questions

The session itself is the moment to address any lingering uncertainties highlighted by the problem sheet and all questions are welcome, says Rattley. ‘Your tutors are there to tie up any loose ends, shore up the foundations, and help you stretch your understanding further,’ they explain. ‘If a student doesn’t ask questions, then they’re not going to get the most out of me as a resource for learning.’

For timid students, speaking up in front of a group can be an intimidating prospect. ‘Shyness itself is not something that needs to be fixed but it can become a problem if it’s impacting your learning,’ says Rattley. Writing questions at the bottom of your answer sheet or approaching your tutor for five minutes at the end of the session is an indirect way to clarify misunderstandings, but it’s also worth considering why tutorials make you so anxious and discussing those concerns with your tutor separately, they advise.

Communicate with your tutor

If you’re still struggling after the tutorial, don’t be afraid to reach out to your tutor for more help. ‘I would be more than happy to be told that there was still an issue,’ says Harris. Most tutors are deeply invested in their students’ success and will take steps to ensure that their tutees get the right support, even if that means referring them to someone else.

This particularly goes for pastoral issues. ‘If you’re struggling academically, it could be life getting in the way and getting help with that is not a sign of weakness,’ says Rattley. Most universities have welfare services in place to aid students with housing issues, money problems or personal difficulties and your tutor is a good first point of contact to help you access the correct support.