Tessa

Hi I'm Tessa! I'm currently finishing my PhD at Cambridge in an interdisciplinary biosciences programme. I completed my undergrad at UCL in Natural Sciences, specialising in Physics and Molecular and Cell Biology for which I got a First. I know firsthand how difficult science subjects can be to master, but I am really passionate about teaching these subjects and sharing my interest. I hope to help you achieve your goals and enjoy learning as much as possible along the way. During school I studied in the IB programme, and therefore have extensive experience with the related IAs and Extended Essay. Additionally, having been through the applications process a few times myself, I am also keen to share how to successfully write a personal statement, prepare for interviews and perform as best as possible in the entrance exams. There are definitely common factors that you can incorporate into your application to put your best foot forward at competitive universities.

Tutoring Experience

I have been tutoring since I was an undergraduate, and also worked part-time at an English learning centre with students ranging from ages 4-16. This taught me how to vary my approach to better suit the learning styles of every student, regardless of their age. With over 9 years of experience, all of my students have achieved their intended learning goals, and I work to especially ensure the experience is enjoyable. I have successfully mentored students in the admissions process that went on to receive offers from Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, King's and many more.

Tutoring Approach

The way sessions are structured will be largely decided by what you need. If you are looking for long-term help with a particular subject, I start by finding out exactly what you are finding challenging and addressing this one step at a time. There is usually an element of catch-up involved, so we keep up with your current lessons but also go back through the topics you have already learnt in class to ensure your foundation is strong. Typically, subjects build upon each topic and any difficulty or misunderstanding earlier on impacts your ability to understand the next topic. By going through the basics step-by-step we solve this problem.

If you are interested in short-term help, for example providing feedback on an essay, your personal statement, any other piece of work, or just going through one particular area you are finding difficult, I offer this as well and am happy to tailor the lesson to your specific needs. I also specialise in discussing exam strategy for each student. There is definitely a method to studying for and sitting exams, and we can work together to discover and plan the best way for you to go about it.