As a teenager, I experienced just about as much academic failure as anyone. I know how much it hurts to struggle to get good grades. Around the age of 23, I discovered that the right environment made all the difference. I started working in a hospital and fell in love with medicine. Since then I've experienced a string of successes that I could have never imagined. I'll be graduating from the Ivy League this spring; I've worked in numerous prestigious hospitals and laboratories, but, most importantly, I've found a love for learning.

My love for learning and experience with failure is what sets me apart from many of my peers. I've found that the resiliency needed to succeed through adversity requires a positive vision of the potential ahead. In my previous tutoring experiences, this is what I have projected onto my tutees. It's always netted a more successful and confident student.

In my most recent experiences, I've discovered that the idea of talent or inherent intelligence is a myth. My fellow students are similar enough in academic ability, but what differentiates one student from another is the commitment to their respective studies. Thus, I try to demonstrate to my tutees by example that being a committed student doesn't need to be painful. It can be simple and fun. However, patience and compassion is crucial in guiding a tutee as they learn this invaluable lesson. The result pays for itself when a student can ultimately solve problems on their own and discover the tricks to build confidence.