Questions and Answers About Tutoring

Below we present selected questions from a survey on tutoring conducted among PUT students. We did our best to answer them 🙂
Is the program and purpose of these meetings determined individually together with the tutor, or do you need to join the program already having a specific idea for its implementation?
The tutor can help refine the goal and direction of the meetings more precisely; however, you should already have a general area or scope in mind.
During the recruitment process, the first stage involves describing the area or topic that the tutor and tutee will work on — such as an idea, project topic, research concept, publication, or a skill the candidate wishes to develop or improve.
The second stage involves sending this description to the Tutoring Council and indicating the chosen tutor.
You may choose a tutor from among 18 certified tutors at PUT — regardless of your field of study.
Stage three consists of an interview with the tutor.
Stage four is receiving information about qualification for the tutoring program.
What skills related to the field of study can be developed?
Tutors represent various fields of study, so you can choose a tutor whose area of expertise aligns with your interests.
You may focus on a specific area of knowledge (to deepen or expand it), express an interest in conducting research, preparing a publication, giving a conference presentation, or planning your future professional development and exploring new interests.

Possible directions for working with a tutor include:

  1. deepening general subject knowledge through interdisciplinary topics or projects that go beyond the study program;
  2. working on a selected area related to self-improvement, personal interests, or passions;
  3. developing competencies in conducting academic activities through research, preparing scientific papers for publication, and preparing conference presentations;
  4. considering various career paths, including those in science and higher education;
  5. supporting the implementation of a project for an external competition;
  6. planning one’s future professional path;
  7. defining a path for further personal and professional development;
  8. exploring research topics that may serve as a potential doctoral dissertation subject;
  9. other individually defined goals.
Is this program intended for all students, regardless of their knowledge and level? Can anyone take part in it?
Participation in the tutoring program is open to all PUT students interested in their personal development, regardless of their degree level, form of study, or semester (at least one semester must be completed), as well as their level of knowledge.
Over what period would such cooperation take place, and in which thematic areas (in terms of potential publications and scientific research)?
Working with a tutor involves a series of approximately 8–10 meetings during a single semester. In some cases, this process may be linked to specific review and publication deadlines (the waiting time for review and publication may extend beyond one semester).
Can the goal of these meetings be defined together with the tutor — for example, by coming with several ideas without having one specific goal? Do I need to come up with exactly what I want to work on beforehand?
Yes, absolutely — we encourage you to describe the areas that interest you, the skills you would like to develop, and the field of knowledge you wish to expand or refine. The tutor will help you choose a specific direction from the options you are considering and define the goals to be achieved within that scope.
What are some example forms of activities or tasks that can be undertaken during this process?
Example tasks may take the form of case studies, essays, or preparing a specific area of knowledge (for instance, as part of a research project).
Is the thematic scope developed within the tutoring program predetermined, or is it established individually after a conversation between the tutor and the student?
At the recruitment stage, the student independently selects the thematic scope — describes it and chooses the tutor they would like to work with.
Will the tutoring program also include a group workshop component?
Tutoring consists of individual one-on-one meetings with a tutor; currently, the program does not include any group workshops.
I would like to fully see and understand how this program would work, along with explanations of the areas that tutoring would propose to explore and develop.
The Tutor is a specialist in their field — they know how to navigate it, develop within it, and achieve success. A tutor is a guide along the path of exploration — someone who knows how to select what is most important, teaches critical thinking, asks questions, inspires, and occasionally advises. They share their professional expertise. Based on the master–student relationship and a holistic view of human development, the tutor strives to support the full realization of the tutee’s potential.

The Coach focuses on helping the client achieve their own goals. In a sense, a coach is like a taxi driver (with the difference that the coach also expects effort and engagement from the client), whose task is to take the client to a specific address — that “address” being the goal the client sets for themselves. A coach does not need to be a specialist in a particular field — they are an expert in activating the client’s own resources.

The Mentor has achieved a high level of mastery in their domain and can demonstrate significant accomplishments, as well as authority stemming from living by a set of values. They do not necessarily have formal pedagogical training but exert influence primarily through example, personality, and achievements. Their advice is valuable, drawn from extensive and successful experience. A mentor can share knowledge and contacts and be someone to whom one can entrust personal or professional dilemmas.
(Source: P. Czekierda, B. Fingas, M. Szala (eds.), *Tutoring – Theory and Practice, Case Studies*, Wolters Kluwer, Warsaw, 2018.)

How to build trust and motivation in a tutoring relationship?
That’s a question for a specific tutor; however, it’s clear that from your side, you should make an effort to fully benefit from the tutoring program, which may require a certain level of openness. Tutoring is intended for individuals who are genuinely interested and ready to step outside their comfort zone.
Is working with a tutor usually successful? How much effort is expected from me when participating in the program?
It depends on individual engagement and the amount of personal effort — working with a tutor also involves completing assigned tasks.
Both parties collaborate on a specific area. The tutor works based on their knowledge, competencies, and selected methods, while the tutee completes assigned tasks and projects (such as case studies, essays, or practice exercises).
Participation in the program includes about 8-10 meetings (within one semester) as well as additional time dedicated to completing tasks and self-development.
Will there be a fee for participating in the program?
Participation in the tutoring program is free of charge for PUT students.
Will the topics covered during tutoring align with my expectations and needs?
Yes, that’s exactly how tutoring works.
What benefits can I gain from participating in tutoring?
It depends on the goal and area chosen — it may involve development in a specific direction, improving certain skills, completing a project, preparing a publication, giving a conference presentation, or gaining experience in scientific research.

Of course, the outcome of meetings with the tutor also depends on your own engagement and personal effort. During tutorials, you may complete assignments, solve cases, and write essays.

Potential benefits include:

  • individual opportunities for development in a chosen area,
  • a chance to improve a skill or area that you have previously struggled to develop on your own,
  • a higher level of soft skills — for example: public speaking no longer causes stress, you can provide constructive feedback, you’re not afraid to speak up, you’ve improved your teamwork skills, and you feel more confident,
  • development of research skills necessary for participation in scientific projects — for example: conducting your first research study, writing an article based on it, presenting it as a conference paper, taking part in a research project, or participating for the first time in a prototyping process,
  • receiving professional support in career planning — establishing a clear career path,
  • identifying areas for personal growth,
  • discovering a new talent,
  • and more.
On what basis are individuals qualified to conduct tutoring?
We already have 18 certified tutors, selected from among the best academic teachers at PUT.
In what format do these meetings take place?
Tutorial meetings usually last about one hour and are held either in person or online, at times agreed upon by the tutor and the tutee during the semester.
Can I work with several tutors at the same time?
No, each tutorial involves working with one selected tutor during a single semester.
What exactly does it involve, when does it take place, and in what forms?
Participation in the tutoring program involves several stages: submitting an application (where the student describes and justifies the area they wish to develop, improve, or explore during the program) — sending an email to the Tutoring Council indicating the chosen tutor — an interview with that tutor — a qualification decision — and finally, a series of meetings with the tutor (scheduled at mutually convenient times and in the chosen format).

During the tutorials, the tutor and the tutee jointly determine how the goal will be achieved, as well as which methods and tools will be used. Both the tutor and the tutee prepare for each meeting — sometimes this involves working on, writing, or analyzing a case study, writing an essay, or reflecting on a specific topic.

In tutoring focused, for example, on research, tasks may be more closely tied to a specialized area of knowledge.

Who conducts the tutoring?
Currently, there are 18 certified tutors at PUT (from various faculties). Each tutor has prepared a profile describing the area in which they specialize.

What do the meetings lead to — how do they conclude?
The series of meetings concludes with the achievement of the established goal.
The benefits and outcomes are closely linked to the objective set at the beginning of the collaboration.
Additionally, after completing the tutorials, the tutee receives a micro-credential or an entry in their diploma supplement.
What percentage of participants actually feel that tutoring can help them pursue their passions or make use of their strengths?
Based on the data collected in research conducted at PUT (467 respondents), nearly **96%** of students expressed interest in additional development beyond their main field of study.
The most popular options among respondents were “working on a selected area,” “planning a future career path,” and “deepening subject-related knowledge.”
Moreover, 64 students indicated that they were considering pursuing research topics related to a potential doctoral dissertation.
Is it possible to choose a specific path that tutoring will focus on the most, or is it a more universal form of development and education?
Tutoring is an individual, one-on-one form of learning. The student chooses the scope of work with the tutor — it may take a more academic direction or focus on developing personal interests. The topics of the tutorials may also align with the student’s professional development path or career goals.
If more than one person is interested in the same topic, could the meetings be conducted in a small group (2–4 people)?
Work with a tutor takes place in a one-on-one setting. Currently, the tutoring program at PUT does not include this option; however, it may be introduced in the following semester.
Does tutoring affect the existing class schedule, or does it take place as an additional activity?
Meetings with the tutor are conducted independently of the class schedule. The tutor and tutee arrange the tutorials individually at mutually convenient times and in a preferred format.
Is it possible to work with a tutor from a different faculty than the one you study at?
Yes
Is it possible to study through tutoring instead of regular studies?
Tutorials — that is, individual meetings with a tutor — are conducted outside the regular study program. They are an additional development opportunity offered by the university to its students, but not a replacement for standard studies.