Our Philosophy
At Studio Shvakel, we not only value the quality of our work, but also the quality of our time spent (just like you)
To ensure the most effective session(s) possible, we’ve included a few suggestions that you might find of interest.
Remote (100% Zoom)
Though it may depend tutor-to-tutor, most, if not all sessions, are held remotely (Zoom via Notability).
While student learning styles vary inevitably, it has been our experience that, in terms of popularity among our parent/student base, remote learning far outweighs in-person.
Yes, we all have horror stories from 2020 (and trust me, we know…)
Given, however, that more standardized tests are going 100% online (i.e. DAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT), as well as the fact that more college 🏫 lectures are becoming hybrid (and some completely remote, with exception for lab), in addition to our own, personal, experiences as (former and current) college students, we truly believe - digital is the future.
Our most ardent Zoom defenders are those that were once skeptics themselves :)
PLEASE note the following about our Zoom 👨💻👩💻-
You don’t have to drive 🚘 anywhere
You won’t be late (well, at least because of traffic 🚦)
You won’t be distracted (most tutors, including us in the beginning of our mentoring journeys, used to meet at locations like Starbucks, which are quite loud 📣 sometimes)
You will see us 🧑🏫👩🏫 (preserving the personable magic ✨ of in-person tutoring)
You will get the notes after EVERY session (helping you become an “academic weapon” 😉)
2. Study
Yes, we know (and understand) - studying can be a chore. But it doesn’t have to be.
Think about it like this.
Before a swim meet (on that one random day of the month), you have to attend practice, right? What do you do in practice?
You train your muscles. Your arms 💪. Your legs 🦵. Your stroke 🏊♂️. Your breath 🫁
You don’t just train your muscles the day before a swim meet, just like you wouldn’t train to run a new event the day before a track 🏃♂️🏃♀️ meet.
Why, then, should Math 🧮, or Science 🧪, or any subject for that matter, be different?
The reality is: it isn’t 🙅♂️
Like sports, your inquisitive and very capable mind 🧠 - the most important muscle of all - requires (and yearns for) daily practice.
It’s not only about conquering your current class, but it’s also about investing in your future.
Unfortunately, no singular tutor, not even us, will (or could) ever be a replacement for regular practice. It is neither logical, nor practical.
In the future, there will be many difficult classes (not just the current one you are facing)
Therefore, it’s IMPERATIVE to build effective study habits (and we certainly have LOTS of suggestions as former/current students)
3. Be Proactive
At Studio Shvakel, we really appreciate, and foster, the team dynamic.
Not only is team-building going to be present in all your future jobs, but it is also, what we believe to be, the best (and most effective) weapon to your success.
In this vein, PLEASE be proactive (this means responding, and following up, with mentor texts 💬).
Teams commonly consist of (at least) 3 people: parent + student + mentor
Unlike many other centers, our mentors take the time to provide individualized feedback after EVERY session
It’s not an easy task, but we really try our best (otherwise, what are you paying for, you know?)