Matthew

Certified Tutor

I recently graduated with a chemistry degree from St. Olaf College, and when I wasn't in the lab, I was probably in our music building, practicing some Rachmaninoff or singing some Schubert. While both music and science are massive parts of my life, Ive decided to continue with a career in chemistry, primarily within the pharmaceuticals and medical device industry. To prepare myself, I took a variety of upper-level courses, including advanced organic chemistry, biochemistry, and advanced inorganic chemistry, and by participating in analytical, organic, and biophysical chemistry research for over two years. Thanks to my hard work, Im now contracted at Medtronic, using my chemistry toolbox to help solve real world problems! For me, tutoring is the best way for me to give back to those who have taught me so much.

During college, I TAed for the one class that is the bane of school for most students: organic chemistry. I worked with all sorts of students, ranging from pre-med football players to graduate-school-bound biology majors. Regardless of the student, they usually had the same questions: how can I succeed in ochem? The way I see it, organic is a whole new language, and, like a language, you have to spend hours practicing the basics before you finally feel a bit comfortable with it. To help speed up this process, Ive developed techniques, strategies, and methods for students to get the most of their learning. No more memorizing reactions or mechanismsinstead, I like to focus on basic concepts, like electronegativity and acid-base trends, to help rationalize and categorize the "magic" that goes on in organic chemistry. Moreover, I like to apply this kind of thinking throughout all of chemistry and biology, and its worked well for a variety of students Ive tutored. Most importantly, I try to make meaningful connections or analogies between chemistry and the world, making it easier to see just how cool chemistry can be.

While I could probably spend almost all day in the lab, I like to keep myself busy with other things. In my free time, other than studying opera or jamming out with my friends, I like to cook (nothing better than homemade pasta and sauce), bake, and be outdoorseither rollerblading, water skiing (if its summer), Nordic skiing (if its winter), hiking, or biking.