Knowing When to Let Go of a Student

In the journey of private tutoring, we often encounter various challenges, not just in teaching but also in managing our relationships with students and their families.

Trakist
3 min readDec 28, 2023

It’s a path filled with rewarding milestones and sometimes, tough decisions. One such decision is knowing when it’s time today goodbye to a student or client. Yes, it can be like closing a book you’ve been reading, realizing it no longer resonates with you — a tough choice, but necessary to make room for stories that align more with your journey.

A man leaving rolling a suitcase
Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

The Telltale Signs

  1. The Homework Hurdle: Picture this: you’ve spent hours explaining concepts, and you assign homework to reinforce these lessons. But then, your student consistently shows up without having done their part. It’s like setting the stage for a play, and the lead actor keeps missing their cue. Or they don’t even do their homework that was assigned by their school.
  2. Extra Effort? What’s That?: Some students seem to think that learning stops the moment the tutoring session ends. They don’t put in any extra effort, and it becomes a cycle of unproductive sessions, as if they’re trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it.
  3. Distraction Dilemmas: Ever felt like a tutoring session is more about discussing the latest video game or what happened at school rather than the subject at hand? While it’s essential to build a rapport with students, constant distractions can derail the entire learning process.
  4. Uncooperative Parents: Sometimes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. If parents are uncooperative or unsupportive, it can add an extra layer of challenge. It’s like trying to navigate a ship without a compass.
This is the sign you have been looking for
Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash

Why Letting Go Matters

While it might seem counterintuitive to let go of a paying client, it’s about more than just income. It’s about your energy, your passion for teaching, and the overall effectiveness of your tutoring. Continuously working with a student who shows little to no progress can be draining, both emotionally and professionally. It’s essential to remember that your time and skills are valuable, and they should be used where they can have the most impact.

Two choices, Yes and No are written on separate papers on a wall
Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash

Making the Decision

So, when should you consider letting go? If you’ve tried different teaching methods, communicated your concerns with the student and their parents, and still see no improvement or effort, it might be time to have that tough conversation. Remember, it’s not about giving up on a student; it’s about recognizing when your teaching is no longer beneficial to their learning journey.

Letting go of a student or client is never easy, but sometimes it’s necessary for both your growth and theirs. It opens up space for new students who are ready and willing to learn, and it allows you to focus your energy where it’s most effective. So, take a deep breath, and remember, every tutor goes through this. It’s all part of the unique and rewarding journey of private tutoring.

How Trakist Can Help

In these situations, having a tool like Trakist can be incredibly helpful. Trakist not only helps you manage your sessions and track progress but also allows you to reflect on the effectiveness of your tutoring. You can easily review each student’s journey, helping you make informed decisions about continuing or ending a tutoring relationship.

Until next time, keep inspiring and educating, and don’t forget to give Trakist a try for a smoother tutoring management experience!

Originally published at https://www.trakist.com on December 28, 2023.

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Trakist

Trakist is a mobile app for tutoring business management.