How to Make the MOST Use of Consulting Teachers
Yep consulting teachers. A daunting task as a previously INFP (currently ENFP) person. A rite of passage for any student. A step out of your comfort zone to seek help. This does not matter whether you are not passing the subject or acing the subject, there is no definitive criteria for seeking a consult. Teachers are paid to do it so just try. Consulting teachers does not only benefit you with immediate aid but also for future referee help in applications and scholarships.
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Initiation.
Usually with a plan in mind to go through a past paper to better understand misconceptions or recapping a topic. If not, ask them beforehand which topics are of higher weightage / you usually get fumble with.
NON NEGOTIABLES 1️⃣ When: Date, Time and Duration. 1 hour would be sufficient 2️⃣ Where: Please Please Please state earlier where the meeting point is. In class? Outside the staffroom? At certain benches? 3️⃣ What: The Plan. 4️⃣ Who: Solo or with friends?
→ Utilise whatever scheduling format they have, eg google sheets or forms. Best is to acquire their whatsapp number for easier scheduling.
→ Personally I would recommend solo as everyone studies differently. If you are scared to do so then I suggest bringing 1 friend along.
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Preparation.
How I schedule my consultation is minimum 1 week later (ideally consult every 2 weeks). This gives me ample time to prepare. Such as dogearing(folding) the pages with a big fat❓️near the specific areas for easier reference when going through with them.
→ Most of the time I eyeball the amount, legit the more the merrier.
→ 1 day prior, message them or meet them in person to remind both them and yourself of the upcoming consultation. Teachers are people too so they may forget. (even worse that you forget omg)
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Culmination.
Prepare 2-3 pages fullscap and a different colour pen, green / warm coloured. Write down the main idea and structure of the answer. I recommend you to write it down instead of the teacher as you would understand your chicken scratches better than anyone else.
→ If you are not 100% sure, do not be afraid to ask again. Teachers are professionals at repeating.
→ Go through what happened in the consultation by yourself at most 5 days later. So that the knowledge will stay longer in your heads. (Memory retention hack)
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Not every teacher has a teaching style that suits your learning needs. If you go for 2-3 sessions and you feel that you are not improving much. Find the missing part of the puzzle. Wrong content? Not focusing on the main questions? Answers do not resonate with you? If really cmi, find friends (they would also be overwhelmed during exam season) or seniors who are performing well in that subject.
Me attempting to do a 30 day challenge…
One of the key steps to making the most of consulting teachers is consistent scheduling. From personal experience, setting consultations every two weeks keeps you engaged and allows steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. Also, using clear markers like dog-eared pages with question marks helps direct the discussion to where you need the most clarity. Don’t hesitate to clarify points during the session. I found that preparing notes with different colored pens makes the material easier to digest later. Writing your own summaries instead of relying solely on the teacher’s notes reinforces understanding. Remember that not all teachers’ teaching styles will suit your learning preferences. After a few sessions, evaluate if the meetings are beneficial. If not, consider exploring alternative resources like peers or seniors who excel in the subject. They can provide different perspectives and helpful advice especially during busy exam seasons. Lastly, keeping open communication with your teacher regarding schedules and location (whether in class, in the staffroom, or elsewhere) makes coordination smoother. Using communication tools like WhatsApp can simplify reminders and reschedules, ensuring both you and your teacher are aligned. By applying these approaches, consulting teachers becomes less daunting and more productive, turning it into a valuable academic tool and potentially paving the way for future opportunities.
