No elite athlete trains alone. They have a personal trainer to build their physical capacity, a sport psychologist to sharpen their mindset, a skills coach to refine technique, and a nutritionist to fuel performance. Nobody looks at an Olympic swimmer working with a coach and thinks they must be struggling — we recognise it as what serious athletes do to reach their potential.
The same logic applies to education. A tutor is a student's personal trainer: someone who identifies weaknesses, designs targeted practice, provides real-time feedback, and pushes them beyond what they'd achieve on their own. Yet for some reason, seeking academic support still carries a stigma that seeking athletic support never has. It shouldn't.
This isn't a new idea. Bill Gates put it simply in his 2013 TED Talk: "Everyone needs a coach." But he's far from the only voice making this point.
Top performers seek coaches - in every field
The pattern is remarkably consistent across domains. Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, has said that the best advice he ever received was to hire a coach — and that "every famous athlete, every famous performer, has somebody who's a coach… somebody who can give them perspective." Atul Gawande, a world-renowned surgeon, wrote in The New Yorker about hiring a coaching surgeon to observe his operations — not because he was failing, but because he'd plateaued and wanted to improve. Even Beyoncé, at the height of her career, continued working with vocal coaches and choreographers for every tour.
In elite sport, the support team around an athlete often outnumbers the athlete. A single AFL player might work with a head coach, a positional coach, a strength and conditioning trainer, a sport psychologist, a physiotherapist and a dietitian. None of this is seen as weakness — it's seen as professionalism. The athletes who refuse outside help are the ones who underperform or don't reach their potential.
The parallel to education is direct. A classroom teacher is like a head coach: they set the game plan for the whole team. But a tutor is the specialist skills coach — the one who works with you or your child one-on-one to address their specific needs, build their confidence, and prepare them for the moments that matter most.
What a tutor does (and what a personal trainer does) — side by side
| Personal trainer | Tutor |
|---|---|
| Assesses current fitness and identifies weak areas | Assesses current understanding and identifies knowledge gaps |
| Designs a personalised training program | Creates a tailored learning plan for your child's specific needs |
| Provides real-time correction on form and technique | Gives immediate feedback on method, working and reasoning |
| Adjusts the program as the athlete progresses | Adapts the approach as the student improves or new challenges arise |
| Builds confidence through structured, progressive challenge | Builds confidence through achievable goals and visible progress |
| Holds the athlete accountable to showing up and doing the work | Keeps the student on track with consistent sessions and follow-through |
| Prepares the athlete specifically for competition day | Prepares the student specifically for SACs, exams and the ATAR |
The point isn't that studying is the same as sport. It's that the mechanism is the same: personalised, expert guidance accelerates performance in any field. And just like an athlete wouldn't wait until they're injured to see a physio, a student shouldn't wait until they're failing to get a tutor.
Learnmate: Your Partner in Educational Success
At Learnmate, we see this every day. The highest-performing students on our platform aren't the ones who 'needed help' - they're the ones who wanted to get better. Our mission is to connect students with dedicated expert tutors who can provide the personalised guidance and support needed to excel academically and beyond. Our platform hosts a community of hundreds of tutors, each with unique expertise and a shared passion for teaching. Whether you need help with a specific subject or skill, preparing for exams, or developing study strategies, our tutors are here to help you succeed.
Our own research at Learnmate has shown that 70% of the top-performing students engage one or more tutors. This statistic highlights a key insight: those who seek out additional support tend to perform better academically. These students understand that tutoring is not a crutch reserved for those who struggle but a powerful tool that can enhance their learning experience and personal ceiling. They view their tutors as partners in their educational journey, helping them to clarify concepts, build confidence, and achieve their academic goals.
The Benefits of Tutoring
| What | How |
|---|---|
| Personalised programming | One of the greatest advantages of tutoring is the ability to receive individualised attention. Unlike in a classroom setting, where one teacher must cater to the needs of many students, a tutor can focus solely on the unique needs of the individual. This personalised approach ensures that students fully understand the material and can progress at their own pace. A classroom is a team training session. Tutoring is the one-on-one skills session afterwards. |
| Measurable performance gains | Tutors can provide targeted support in areas where students may be struggling. By addressing these gaps in knowledge, students can improve their grades and overall academic performance. Additionally, tutors can help students develop effective study habits and exam techniques, further contributing to their success. |
| Confidence through preparation | Working with a tutor can boost a student's confidence. As they gain a better understanding of the subject matter and see improvements in their performance, their self-esteem grows. This increased confidence can have a positive impact on all areas of their life, both inside and outside the classroom. Just as an athlete who has done the reps in training feels calm on game day, a student who has practised with a tutor feels ready on exam day. |
| Accountability and motivation | A tutor can also serve as a motivator, helping students to stay focused and engaged in their studies. By setting achievable goals and celebrating milestones, tutors can inspire students to keep striving for excellence. A personal trainer's greatest value often isn't the exercises they prescribe — it's the fact that you showed up because they were expecting you. Tutors play the same role. |
| Skills that transfer beyond the classroom | Beyond the immediate academic benefits, tutoring can instill lifelong learning skills. Students learn how to ask questions, seek out resources, and take charge of their own education. These skills are invaluable as they progress through their academic journey and into their careers. |
Taking the First Step Towards Excellence
At Learnmate, we believe that every student has the potential to achieve greatness. Our platform is designed to make it easy for students and parents to find the right tutor to meet their specific needs. Whether you are looking for help with a challenging subject, preparing for a critical exam, or simply wanting to enhance your overall academic performance, we have a tutor who can guide you on your path to success.
We encourage you to embrace the wisdom of Bill Gates' words and recognise the strength in seeking support. Show your commitment to growth by finding a tutor on Learnmate today. By taking this step, you are not only investing in your academic future but also demonstrating your dedication to continuous improvement and excellence.
Ready to find your personal coach? Visit Learnmate now and start your journey towards academic success.
FAQs
No. Just like elite athletes use coaches to improve — not because they're failing — tutoring is a performance tool. Learnmate's research shows that 70% of students who achieve ATARs of 99+ engage one or more tutors. The best students use tutoring to go from good to great.
The most effective time to start is before problems develop, not after. If your child wants to improve, is preparing for exams, or has specific gaps they want to close, tutoring can help at any stage. See our guide on when to start tutoring for advice by year level.
Reframe it the way athletes do: no one looks at an AFL player with a skills coach and thinks they must be bad at footy. Coaching is about building on what's already there, not fixing what's broken. Learnmate's research shows that 70% of students who achieve ATARs of 99+ engage one or more tutors — they're not struggling, they want every advantage available. Try shifting the language from "getting help" to "getting coaching" — the same way they'd describe a music teacher, sports coach or driving instructor.
