StudyBuddies: How innovative learning strategies make tutoring superfluous

As the end of the year approaches, the pressure at school increases: students are fighting for better mid-year grades or preparing for their A-levels. While many rely on traditional tutoring, others opt for a more innovative approach - the StudyBuddies service. Tamara Ude's company focuses on three key areas: Learning skills training, mentoring and subject-specific tuition. With this holistic approach, StudyBuddies supports pupils in developing independent solutions, reducing anxiety and achieving individual learning goals.

Tamara, what do you do differently from other tutoring companies?

I don't see myself as a traditional tutor, but offer learning strategies that go far beyond subject-specific content. Many students suffer from school stress and exam anxiety and hardly dare to ask questions in class. Even the fifth math tutoring session doesn't help. My goal is to make tutoring superfluous in the long term. Through targeted learning skills training, students learn how to deal with problems such as procrastination, lack of motivation and time management. During mentoring, we develop individual learning routines and accompany them as learning partners in subject lessons. This creates sustainable learning success. That makes all the difference.

How did you come up with the idea of founding the company ?

I studied to be a teacher and already gave private tuition during my studies. However, traditional school lessons were too rigid for me. After working for a tutoring provider and setting up a new location, I wanted to put my own ideas into practice. So in August 2023, I founded StudyBuddies in a spontaneous overnight action. Now I can realize everything that is important to me. With StudyBuddies Social, I am working on making my services accessible to families with limited financial resources - primarily through workshops that I offer at schools.

How did hannoverimpuls support you?

At the beginning, I didn't even know that hannoverimpuls existed. Through research and conversations, I was given the tip to seek support there. Through Gründerinnen-Consult, I received valuable tips on setting up a business in one-to-one meetings, especially on grants and funding. I started up from unemployment and hannoverimpuls encouraged me: "Write a good business plan and we'll get it done." We drew up the plan together - and it worked. hannoverimpuls was also helpful with my goal of making my services accessible to financially disadvantaged families. At information events on social entrepreneurship, I found out that there is European funding for social projects. After my application, my project was selected. That helped financially and also gave me a big boost of motivation.

What are you planning for the future?

Since founding the company, I have already helped many students to achieve better grades and more sustainable learning behavior. My company is profitable, but I still finance myself through a part-time job. In the future, I would like to work full-time for StudyBuddies, expand my team and increase my collaboration with schools. I can see that my method is particularly effective there, even for those who can't afford one-to-one tuition. Unfortunately, government funding is becoming increasingly scarce and interactive workshops require time and financial resources. That's why I rely on non-profit status and appropriate funding.

What tips do you have for other founders?

You need a certain willingness to take risks and respect for what you do. A few things went wrong in the first year, but I always found solutions. Optimism is important, but also caution and foresight. Don't blindly go for it, but keep an overview. In social entrepreneurship, you often have to put your own needs on the back burner. But never forget: you design your project according to your own ideas. You decide - no one else does.

How was the collaboration with hannoverimpuls?

I received incredibly valuable support. Ideas and problems were always taken seriously and discussed openly. The contacts and invitations to networking events, which I enjoy attending, are particularly important. Every new contact takes me one step further!

Anke Pawla, Project Manager Start-up and Entrepreneurship hannoverimpuls about Tamara Ude:

Tamara is very committed, especially when it comes to StudyBuddies Social. We will provide her with the best possible support. The feedback shows that her learning skills training is successful, motivating and thus opening up new opportunities for the future.

Contact:

StudyBuddies
Tamara Ude
Wedekindstraße 14
30161 Hanover

Phone: 0151 50 76 25 01
hey@studybuddies.social

www.studybuddies.social

to the top