How I Once Boosted a Student in Biology, and Its Pay-Off

I was sitting at home after A-Levels, waiting to enter the university for undergraduate studies. At that time, my younger sister was tutoring O-Level students after doing brilliantly in O-Levels.

One day she brought a student to me asking me if I would like to tutor O-Level Biology to her. I was very reluctant and mustered my guts to say a straightforward reply, “No, I am not interested.”

The girl was plump and fair with striking features, and what was more, she was a whole lot taller than me. She was wearing a stylish burka covering her head and full length. I saw her go away in tears, and she had a bad cry. She was going to pay me well. Since my sister couldn’t give her time as her hands were full, she persuaded me once more regarding the matter.

Now, I didn't get a straight ‘A’ in O-Level Biology, which I regretted ever since I got the result a couple of years ago. I didn’t have much confidence in me regarding teaching Biology. But my sister believed in me. So, I went ahead and said, “Yes.”

Soon the girl started coming to our home. I had to teach her a month, and she would pay me Tk 2000. That was not bad at all.

I went through the syllabus of O-Level Biology and prepared to teach my new student. I prepared myself for the content.

I asked her at the start of our first sitting which areas she needed help. She promptly replied, "Reproduction and inheritance, Cycles with ecosystems, Human influences on the environment, Genetic engineering, and Coordination and response of living organisms.” I said, “Okay.” I took note of all the chapters she would like me to tutor.

Meanwhile, I gave her an overview of what I had prepared for our first sitting. She asked intelligent questions. And I was surprised at her candidness. I was able to understand where her weaknesses and doubts lay in the course.

After three sittings with the girl, I knew instantly what questions she was likely to ask and prepared myself for the rest of the chapters accordingly.

I gave her summaries on different topics and charts in tabular formats. And I realized the girl was teaching me how to teach.

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At the end of the month, she handed me my deserving reward: Tk 2000. She was happy; I was contented. We parted satisfied.

Then when the girl’s O-levels were over, she, along with the other girls who were my sister’s students, came in for a chat.

I asked my female student how she did in O-Level Biology. She said promptly, “I got an A.” I was dumbfounded. I had a 'B' score two years back, but I had helped my student to get an ‘A’!

I asked her if my tutoring helped her. She replied happily, "Yes. I put in the various tabular charts you tutored me everywhere I could. The summaries also helped."

Now that was something to feel great about. I regretted getting a ‘B’ in O-Level Biology all this time. But it was God's way of showing me that I probably could have earned an 'A' as well. I guess the girl's intelligent questions helped me better in imparting important concepts to her.

Now, I don’t remember everything about what I did with the earned Tk 2000. But I do remember when I entered university, I had difficulty looking at the blackboard, and I knew I needed proper glasses.

After I told my Mom about the problem, she took me to the eye doctor, who tested my eyes and gave me a slip to deposit at the counter.

The man at the counter asked me what kind of frame I would like for my glasses. Mom and I decided on one. The whole thing, including the doctor's fees, would cost me Tk 500. I had brought in a little portion of the savings from my tutoring and handed over Tk 200 in advance. After two days, I paid the remaining Tk 300 to get my customized glasses.

I remember that I also spent Tk 700 from my earned tutoring fees on a gorgeous ready-made cyan salwar kameez and wore it frequently to birthday parties and wedding ceremonies. It also dawns upon me that I saved the rest of the earned money well into my university years but cannot recall how I spent it all.

That was how my reluctant tutoring boosted my student in Biology, and the portions of the compensation I received in return helped my eyes and permitted me to buy a favorite cyan dress for myself .

The takeaway lesson from this piece is that whatever you give out sincerely doesn’t stop there but comes back and helps you big times.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2024 Rosina S Khan