I am a recent graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in both biochemistry and neuroscience. Currently I am in the midst of my gap year before pursuing an M.D./Ph.D.. During college, I found working with my peers, gaining their perspectives, and discussing applications of our knowledge beyond the prescribed curriculum to be helpful, interesting, and motivating. While working as a Chemistry Lab Teacher's Assistant for two years, I tried to promote this free-form group style of learning. I find the process of generating a range of ideas and then using discussion to arrive at a conclusion helps build deductive reasoning skills and more closely emulates the way in which discoveries in knowledge are made, as opposed to guiding individuals to the answer in the same repetitive manner. My time as a Teacher's Assistant also provided me with practice in using visual and hands on methods, the ability to customize my teaching style to each student's needs and interests, and knowledge of typical questions and difficult concepts and how to explain these topics in multiple ways.
In addition to my academic endeavors, I was also a highly competitive varsity cross-country and track athlete in both high school and college. Because of the demanding nature of sports, it was important for me to develop excellent time management and study skills in order to be successful. As such, one of my goals as a tutor is to impart organization and planning skills in my students so that they can have a less stressful and more productive academic experience.
Though, most importantly, I believe there is an avid learner in everyone, and as I tutor I hope to help people find approaches to learning that work best for them so that they can take on new subjects without intimidation or uncertainty, but with an open and ready mind.
