I will confess to leading a rather relaxing and carefree existence during the summer – albeit a less financially secure time.
Most of my students go away on summer break; the Bahamas, Dubai and Tokyo are some of the places they have listed. Therefore, no students means; no teaching, no planning and [most importantly] no income.
But come with me on an average summer day for me, in London, with only a handful of students during the summer holidays!
Morning
I usually start my mornings off with a cup of tea and pain-au-chocolate, while I browse through my emails and social media. Normally, that takes me 1 to 2 hours – and yes, that’s every day.
Not trying to brag, but social media is how I get most of my clients; a free way for me to advertise and connect with potential parents and students. So, spending that time replying to their emails, helping them find information or just like and thanking their comments is pretty important.
You may have noticed, I didn’t mention the time. During holidays, I usually wake up between 10:00am and 11:00am. I know, its wonderful right? Trust me, I’m aware of how blessed I am to be a self-employed tutor.
Afternoon
This will depend on different factors.
From 12:00pm to 4:00pm I can do a number of different things: housework, shopping, gym, or lesson planning. I get things done as I need them done. This is also when I get my social media content ready – I post daily on TikTok and Instagram. Check out my pages!
Not only that, visiting people is something I don’t usually have the time for during term time, when I’m working 50+ hours a week. I try to fit that in during the holidays and catch up with my amazingly understanding friends who love and support my non-traditional work schedule.
Evening
Now, as I said, majority of my student have either graduated or are on holiday. I only have a handful left. But on the days I do have students, I start at 5:00pm and teach until 8:00pm.
Lessons are an hour long and online for the convenience of everyone involved. No more students being late due to the bus, or parents being concerned about their children being out late. Or even I, having to get home safely from wherever the lesson was done.
Night
From 9:00pm until I go to bed, I do the things that I love. Read books from all over the world, watch tv shows [recently started binging on Star Trek: Discovery] and hanging out with my parents and brothers.
We’re a close knit family, therefore I find it fun. Although there is always the one sibling that will ruin it by starting a pointless argument and we all regress to angry children.
You may be wondering why I gave you this glimpse into my life. There’s a good reason for it. I was contacted on TikTok by a wonderful young lady who recently graduated and decided that she wanted, like me, to be a full time tutor. We had a discussion on how to get started, gain experience, do extra training and things like that.
Then she asked me about the summer. I was honest and said that tutoring during the summer can be a hit or miss. To be prepared for months without students and to save during the year so you are not in a financial hole those months.
That’s also why I wanted to share this. That although I am very busy for 9 months of the year, and my summers always look relaxing. Its because I work bloody hard during those 9 months to allow me to have the time off.
There is always something behind the glamour.
Until next time!