Balancing Tutoring with Personal Life

Tutoring is one of the most rewarding professions, but let's be real, it can also be incredibly demanding, leaving little room for personal time. Finding a balance between administrative tasks, creating lesson plans, managing students, and maintaining a personal life requires effort and discipline.

Here's how I've managed to find this balance between my love for teaching and my need for a fulfilling personal life.

Setting Boundaries

Let's start with setting boundaries—it's the area where most new tutors struggle the most. And, when I talk about boundaries, I mean no exception for any case.

Here are the most popular boundaries to set. They will save you tons of time and effort and will even make your students more engaged.

Scheduling. I've learned to schedule tutoring sessions during specific times of the day or week, leaving ample room for personal activities. So, what do I do?

I try to avoid evening sessions unless it's necessary, ensuring I have time for myself and my family. I block out times in my calendar for personal commitments just as firmly as I do for tutoring sessions.

When it comes to my students, I leave them the option of rescheduling and cancellation. However, I never do it before the lesson.

What I did is to define an acceptable amount of hours before rescheduling or cancellation. If this time is neglected, I charge the session.

Session limits. I cap the number of students I tutor daily or weekly to prevent burnout. I try not to take more students than I can handle energetically. If I spend all my day teaching I won't have any wish to do my things or devote time for my family.

This control over my schedule helps me maintain my energy levels and focus. I've found that no more than four students a day, with breaks in between, works well for me.

Client communication. I set clear expectations with my students and their parents about availability. I communicate my non-working hours and days off, ensuring they understand this isn't flexibility on my part but a necessity for my well-being.

If a student sends a message during my off time, I simply do not answer, no matter how urgent the matter is. Otherwise, students tend to consider everything a priority and you will always be stressed about your deserved time off. Remember, the priority is you in your time, and the students during the time you allocate for them.

Prioritizing Tasks

Preparation. Tutoring requires preparation for each lesson and student. Having even four lessons a day requires a lot of effort.

I have found that it is too demanding to prepare every day for each lesson. Hence, I prepare lesson plans in batches rather than right before each session.

This batching reduces the daily workload and allows for more predictable personal time. I might spend one day a week or a couple of hours every other day planning for the week ahead.

Homework. I do not check homework outside of sessions. However, many students expect you to check their homework in your free time.

They will be sending you messages the whole day with their homework in batches and say that checking homework during class takes their precious time for learning. I have found three possible scenarios for this type of student: 

• First, they check their homework with AI at any convenient time for them. And they can always ask me clarifying questions during our lessons.
• Second, we check the homework during the session and mostly focus on their questions regarding it, rather than checking everything. 
• The third option is that they can send me all their homework at once, 24 hours before the tutoring session and it is additionally paid.

Efficiency in Tutoring

Use of technology. I employ digital tools for scheduling, communication, and even teaching aids like educational apps, which enhance lesson delivery without requiring extra prep time. Tools like Google Docs or Notion for shared notes or online whiteboards for interactive lessons have been game-changers.

Resource sharing. I create or find resources that can be reused across different students, saving time on material preparation. This includes worksheets, quizzes, or even video explanations that I can assign for homework. I have also found my favorite and effective student books that I advise to buy and we work on them if the student agrees.

Time management. I've learned to time my sessions precisely, ensuring I don't go over the allotted time, which helps in maintaining a schedule that respects both my time and my students'.

If you have several minutes left and you have gone through all the tasks, do not start a new one. Better ask a student a question to summarize what they have learned this time. 

Self-Care and Personal Time

Downtime. I ensure there's downtime between sessions or after my last session of the day. This could be for relaxation, exercise, or pursuing personal interests. I've found that even a 15-minute break to walk or meditate can rejuvenate me.

Hobbies. Keeping up with hobbies or interests outside of tutoring is crucial. It's not just about rest but about engaging in activities that enrich my life, like painting, reading, or learning a new skill.

Physical Health. I prioritize regular exercise, not just for health but also because it clears my mind, making me more alert and patient during tutoring sessions. Most of the time, I like to exercise after the lessons, which can count for a down time and greatly frees my mind. 

Social Connections

Quality time. I schedule regular time with friends and family, treating these appointments with the same importance as tutoring sessions. Whether it's a dinner out or a movie night, these moments are non-negotiable in my calendar.

Social balance. I'm mindful not to let social events fill in tutoring discussions. Since I teach languages, I can make it a good speaking exercise, but I don't talk about private things. Otherwise, it can make me feel guilty and extend the session, which will reduce my break time in between. 

Flexibility and Adaptability

Adjustable plans. If life throws surprises, I adjust my tutoring schedule. This might mean rescheduling sessions or taking a day off for personal needs. I've learned that flexibility is a two-way street; sometimes, I offer extra sessions when a student needs it, but I also take time off when I need it.

Continuous evaluation. I regularly assess if my current balance is working or if I need to shift things around. This keeps my life flexible and responsive to changes. I might survey my students or reflect on my own satisfaction with my schedule setup.

Also, I mind when the student reschedules the most. And since I care about their progress and engagement, I offer another day for their lessons.

Building a Support Network

Peer support. I've connected with other tutors or teachers for mutual support. We share resources, discuss challenges, and sometimes even refer students to each other when our schedules are full. I have also started this blog to create a tutor community for the future and help new tutors become their best in the shortest time possible.

Professional development. I allocate time for my own learning, attending workshops or webinars. This not only enhances my skills but also ensures I'm not just teaching but also growing personally and professionally.

Maintaining Passion and Purpose

Why I tutor. I love teaching and sharing knowledge. Those challenges to find ways to explain something most easily and create learning architecture bring me real pleasure.

However, I also regularly revisit why I started tutoring. This reflection keeps me motivated and ensures I'm not just going through the motions but am truly invested in my students' success.

Innovative teaching. Of course, teaching over a decade made me choose the most effective methods and techniques in teaching. And so it goes I have my favorites.

But, I also keep my sessions fresh by trying new teaching methods or incorporating student feedback into my lessons, which prevents monotony and keeps my passion for teaching alive.

Embracing Technology for Balance

Automation. I use automated tools for reminders, payment processing, and even some aspects of lesson planning. This automation reduces the administrative load, freeing up more time for personal pursuits.

Online resources. I make use of online platforms where students can engage with material outside our session time. This not only reinforces learning but also means I don't have to spend as much time on repetitive explanations.

Digital organization. Keeping all my teaching materials organized digitally means I can access and update them from anywhere, reducing the need to carry physical resources or spend time looking for misplaced documents.

Mental Health and Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices. Don't get me wrong, teaching is as pleasing as it is demanding. Sometimes I am fully drained, and sometimes I finish my teaching day very fulfilled.

That is why, I've incorporated mindfulness into my daily routine, whether it's through meditation, mindful breathing, or simply being present in the moment. This practice helps manage stress and maintain mental clarity.

A Supportive Teaching Environment

Student engagement. By promoting an environment where students are encouraged to take an active role in their learning, I reduce the workload on myself. Interactive learning techniques mean students learn more by doing, which in turn reduces my preparation time for repetitive lessons.

Feedback loops. I've established a system where students and parents give feedback on the tutoring sessions. This not only helps in improving my teaching methods but also in understanding where I might be overcommitting in terms of time or energy.

Planning for the Future

Long-term goals. I keep an eye on my long-term goals, both in tutoring and in life. This includes planning for further education, professional development, or even transitioning to different roles within education that might offer better work-life balance.

Career breaks. I've learned the importance of taking breaks, whether it's a week off during the school holidays or a longer sabbatical to travel or explore new interests. These breaks refresh my perspective and passion for teaching.

The Art of Saying No

Selective commitment. I've become more selective about the tutoring opportunities I take. Not every student aligns with my strengths or my schedule's flexibility. Saying no to some requests has allowed me to say yes to a richer personal life.

I can also say no to some students. It can be when feel that the requests are impossible to fulfill like, for instance, reaching an intermediate level in a language from the very beginner in two months. Hence, if after I explain the student keeps insisting, I advise them to search for another tutor.

Or if, for example, a student doesn't adhere to the rules he agreed to, it is a definite goodbye.

Understanding limits. I've come to understand my limits better. If I'm feeling overwhelmed or if adding another student would tip the balance, I know it's time to reassess or politely decline.

Personal Growth and Development

Continuous learning. Beyond teaching others, I commit to my own growth, whether that's through reading, taking online courses, or attending workshops. This not only keeps my teaching methods current but also fulfills me on a personal level.

Many years of tutoring had been my secondary activity. Hence, I could combine my diverse background to facilitate teaching. Nowadays, I still develop in different areas, which I later on apply in tutoring.

For instance, my students who work as developers enjoy it when I explain to them grammar in code. In both cases, we have fun, even me creating such explanations and explaining them.

Hobbies as learning. I treat my hobbies as opportunities for learning and growth. Whether it's learning a new language or cooking techniques, these activities provide a break from teaching while still feeding my love for learning.

Celebrate milestones. I take time to celebrate both my students' achievements and my own milestones in balancing life and work. This could be as simple as treating myself to a favorite meal or sharing success stories with loved ones.

Journaling. Keeping a journal where I reflect on both my professional and personal life has been enlightening. It helps me see patterns, understand what truly brings joy, and identify areas where adjustments are needed.

To sum up, finding balance as a tutor is an ongoing journey, not a destination. With each passing day, I learn more about what works for me, adjusting my sails to catch the winds of both professional fulfillment and personal happiness.

Setting boundaries, embracing technology, and prioritizing self-care make my tutoring life a beautiful journey rather than a stressful adventure.