The Problem with Tutoring Today - And How We’re Fixing It

Traditional tutoring has a lot to offer, whether it’s online or in-person. But it can also be slow, expensive, and unavailable, especially when you really need it most - like the night before an exam.

Tutor Spaces aims to change that.

We’re building a new model: one where students can learn directly from people who’ve already passed the same class, or from tutors who specialize in that class. We’re opening up tutoring to anyone who knows the material and wants to help, with no red tape or gatekeeping.

Here’s why the old model doesn’t work, and how we’re fixing it.

The Problem with Traditional Tutoring

1.    It’s Expensive

Tutors can easily charge over $100 an hour, and that’s just to start. Some tutors will try to sign you up for long-term packages, and may even stretch out the material to bill as many hours as they can. You just can’t be sure that they’re getting to the point as quickly as possible, because they have no incentive to.

2.    It’s Gatekept

Want to tutor? Get ready to apply, submit transcripts, go through a screening process, and still get rejected, even if your GPA meets the minimum. The result is plenty of smart students who just passed a tough course can’t help others, even when they’re the best people for the job. After all, it’s often those who had trouble with a course that make the best tutors.

3.    It’s Generic

Most tutors don’t know your course, especially online. They may understand the subject, but they haven’t sat in the lectures, taken the same midterm, or dealt with your professor’s tricky questions. The tutoring ends up being too general and not tailored to the real exam.

What Tutor Spaces Does Differently

Fix #1: We Let You Become the Tutor

Whether you’re a current or former student or a professional, Tutor Spaces lets anyone who knows the material post their content. We monitor for fraud, but we don’t gatekeep. As long as you have the insight other students need, you’re welcome to post.

Fix #2: We Let You Share Your Own Way  

You can post recorded sessions, write quick study notes, host live crash courses, or answer DMs from students who are stuck. You’re in control of your format, your time, and your price.

Fix #3: We Make It About the Course

We don’t host general tutors. All the material you find on Tutor Spaces is class-specific. That means students are learning from people who know the format of the test, the material that will come up, how the professor wants questions answered, and the kinds of mistakes students make. That’s what allows students to study faster and smarter.

Fix #4: We Keep it Affordable (And Fair)

Students don’t need to commit to weekly sessions here. They pay per crash course, or just download the material they need. Tutors have an incentive to get straight to the point so that students share their profiles. And because they’re targeting more students at once, tutors can charge less per student while still earning more than they otherwise would. It’s win-win for everyone.

Tutor Spaces is Here to Fix What’s Broken

Our goal is simple: to make tutoring more useful, flexible, and accessible for everyone.

We believe:

·      Every student should be able to get help that actually works

·      Every tutor should be able to earn from what they already know

·      Nobody should be excluded from tutoring because of paperwork, cost, or technicalities

If you want to help students and get paid, then:

·      Start building your tutor profile

·      Upload your notes or record a short video

·      Begin hosting crash courses

Whether you’re a recent grad, a seasoned tutor, or just someone who crushed a final exam last semester, there’s a space here for you.