With school starting back up, students are beginning to get back into the habit of studying to make the first mark on their report cards and GPA a good one. For many students, this means more than just paying attention in class. Tutoring is becoming more of a necessity and less of a nice option, for some.

“Its really important for me to do well on my exams because of my GPA and class rank,” junior Mason Cotrell said.  “I’m starting to pay more attention to my grades and sometimes I have to come in more often to get tutoring.”

But turning to school teachers for extra reviewing isn’t the only way to go. Outside of school tutoring is something that many students on campus participate in.

“I like to turn to people outside of Lovejoy to get tutoring help from, because they might explain the concept in a way that I understand better and things like that,” senior Allie Dillard said.

Teachers encourage both in and outside of school tutoring in order for their students to learn the material they need to master.

“I think if the student learns better from their outside of school tutor, then by all means they should be going to them as opposed to solely relying on their teacher,” CAT teacher Tania Vaughn said.

One of the most beneficial parts of outside tutoring is the alternative perspective that it can offer students. When a concept is taught the same way district-wide, a tutoring center or even peer may be able to approach it in a way that the student understands better. It can also help to hear someone aside from a student’s teacher explain a topic, simply because the student may pay more attention to a new voice.

However, outside tutoring isn’t for all. It is usually expensive, and some families would rather opt for less expensive options.

“Expect to pay $10 to $15 per hour for a high school student, and up to $75 per hour for a certified teacher with experience,”  The Tutor Guide said.

Some students prefer to ask familiar faces for help anyway.

“I like to attend tutorials with my teachers,” senior Rachel Segal said.  “It is helpful because they know the particular curriculum you’re working on in class. They also know what you personally are struggling with and how they can help you.”