Sarah Honeychurch

Sarah Honeychurch - On Track Tutor, October 2002 - Present

I began tutoring for On Track in October 2002 because I needed some extra cash and the rate of pay looked good. To be honest, I was initially dubious about the possibility of teaching anybody how to be a better student – I'd never had any help myself and assumed that everybody had to muddle through as I'd done and learn for themselves. However, the support materials were comprehensive, to say the least, and I spent my time during training and before my first group reading the tutors' materials and realising just how much there was to say to potential university students.

My first time in a classroom was scary. I'd never taught before and I was terrified that I'd dry up, stutter, that the students would be bored ... needless to say I didn't sleep well the night before. Well, of course, I needn't have worried – my fellow mentor (who was as new and as nervous as I was) was great fun to work with, the lesson plans worked, and the time with the class passed all too quickly. As the weeks progressed I could see the benefit of the course we were delivering – and it changed my mind about what could be taught.

The most important thing, I think, is to inspire students with confidence in their own abilities – and I think the course On Track offers does that particularly well. The slightly informal style of delivery allows plenty of time for college students to ask questions and voice their worries, while at the same time passing on techniques that work. And – from a tutor's point of view – it is so satisfying to teach a short course and watch just how quickly students can develop and come out of themselves by the end.

It's also helped me. I began tutoring in my University department soon after beginning with On Track and I work mainly with first year students. I soon realised that most of them had never had the formal teaching that On Track provides and that I could incorporate some of the techniques we teach into tutorials. I think I'm a better tutor now – and I also enjoy tutoring more as my confidence has grown.

< BACK toTutor Profiles