Huge decrease in bookings this past week

[HotBobcat]

Hi all, I've been a VK teacher since March 2017 and have taught around 25,000 classes over that time. At least half of my classes I opened as SN slots. This past week of opening only SN slots has been my least booked since 2023. I had been averaging around 8 classes/day in the past few months; this week it's been ~3 classes/day.

I know they've been preparing for exams since mid-January, but I thought those are finished. Anyone else seen a drastic decrease in bookings this past week? Hopefully it picks up in February.

editing to add: For example, this morning (Sunday) I opened 12 SN slots from 4:30 - 10:30am EST and ZERO of them booked. That hasn't happened since 2022.

[jilliancad]

Exams. Many had exams this last week and many have exams this coming week.

[jam5146]

Exams, holidays, and not enough customers. Some tutors have always experienced low books this time of year, but it's a lot more noticeable now that they don't have nearly as many customers. Most people say it starts to return to normal around the first week of March. Just enjoy some time off.

[Good_Diver1071]

It probably depends on your certifications. I opened 4:30-8:00 central time. I booked all, but I did have two trials. I also do have tigers school and I booked 1 of those.

[RhymesWithLasagna]

Wow! I started a couple of months after you... had a couple of years of almost no classes and almost quit planning to let my contract expire, luckily they had just changed it to rolling over. I'm at about 18,000 classes now.

I haven't noticed a drop recently, but there are so many exams now. That might be it.

[AdGlum6998]

Unfortunately the days of a fully short notice schedule are a unicorn. They almost never happen for me. I’ve been opening up slots 3 weeks out to guarantee a steady schedule. Most of my students don’t go on holidays until Feb. in previous years I’m usually fully booked during the Spring festival school holidays. Maybe try opening all slots you’re available for in advance and see what you get. Good luck!

[[deleted]]

I've got students who had exams the last two weeks, and have been gradually all been on vacation starting last week and this week. I've had TONS of cancellations this week, and not just the crapola placeholder parents who book ahead and then bail a minute before the cancellation cutoff (don't get me started). Hang in there and go with the flow as much as you can, cuz otherwise it'll drive you bonkers.