How Parents and Tutors Can Team Up for Academic Success!
Teens need more than study aids and textbooks to succeed in challenging courses like chemistry. When parents, students, and tutors work together as a team, it creates an environment where growth, confidence, and achievement thrive.
I’d love to share Asta’s story here to make my point.
A Parent’s Determination in a Tough Time
I met Alpa, a mother on a mission, in the summer of 2021. Astha, her daughter, was in the middle of the last year of the IB program, Higher Level Chemistry. Astha’s scores were so low that her school warned she might be moved down to Standard Level Chemistry. That single move would’ve shattered her dream of studying MPharm.
Until then, Astha had only studied with her dad’s help—no professional tutoring. During our consultation, Alpa asked a straightforward but weighty question: “Can Astha improve her scores to stay at the Higher Level?”
My answer? Yes. Absolutely yes. But I made one thing clear: this would take a plan, commitment, and effort from everyone involved.
Despite the financial struggles of losing her job during the pandemic, Alpa didn’t hesitate. She invested in her daughter’s tutoring, believing in her potential even when the odds felt stacked against her.
The Chemistry Comeback
From the get-go, we dove in. For two hours every day—yes, even on Sundays—Astha and I worked together. But the structure was everything. I created detailed lesson notes before each session, which her parents printed out so she could review them beforehand.
Here is the approach we used to help Astha improve her scores and stay in HL Chemistry: We focused on past exam questions and practised them religiously to understand the marking scheme. Astha worked through topical homework problems, which I graded and provided detailed feedback. I informed Alpa and her husband with frequent updates to ensure everyone stayed aligned and motivated.
In just three weeks, Astha transformed her understanding of the material. She went from a Level 2 to a Level 5 in her retake exam—more than enough to stay in HL Chemistry. Her success is a testament to her hard work, her parent’s unwavering support, and a personalized, consistent tutoring plan.
From Struggle to Success
Astha’s success is a testament to her hard work, her parent’s unwavering support, and a personalized, consistent tutoring plan. That victory in her retake exam wasn’t the finish line—it was just the start. Astha continued weekly tutoring sessions with me through her final exams. She earned an impressive 6 out of 7 in HL Chemistry by graduating.
Today, she’s thriving in her second year of MPharm, living the dream that once felt so far away.
Astha’s success didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of her hard work, her parents’ unwavering support, and a personalized, consistent tutoring plan- It was teamwork.
How Parents and Tutors Can Collaborate for Maximum Impact
Astha’s story shows that big things happen when parents and tutors join forces. Here are some ways parents can make the most of tutoring: Stay involved by checking in regularly with the tutor. Please share what you know about your teen, including their learning style, interests, and challenges. Parents can help reinforce lessons at home by asking the tutor for simple ways to keep learning outside sessions. Celebrating progress by acknowledging your teen’s effort and dedication is essential, no matter how small the win. Finally, be open to change by staying flexible and willing to tweak routines or strategies based on your teen’s evolving needs.
Final Thoughts
Astha’s story is a reminder that shortcuts and quick fixes don’t lead to success. Success comes from hard work, showing up, and having a support system that believes in you. Any teen can overcome the most challenging academic hurdles with commitment, collaboration, and care. If you’re a parent looking for ways to help your teen thrive, let’s talk. Together, we can create a roadmap for your teen’s success story, one step at a time.
