Oxford Medicine Student | Experienced Tutor with Top 1% UCAT (3130)  | Personal Statement Clinic | Medicine Mock Interviews | A-level/GCSE tutoring

Find out more about Hannah

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  Throughout school, I had always enjoyed helping friends with studying. Teaching is an excellent way to learn content yourself, and I find it fulfilling to help others understand difficult topics.
  
  Now, as a 4th year medical student, I’ve found that teaching is an intrinsic part of studying and practising Medicine. I have completed an optional module in Clinical Education Theory this year, which has helped me to understand the ways we learn most effectively. I know that as a doctor, teaching will be a large part of my job, so I’m always looking to develop my teaching skills and private tutoring has been an excellent way to do this.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach Biology and Chemistry A-level, and Physics GCSE to a wide range of students, as well as providing help with Medicine university applications. For GCSE and A-level tutoring, the content is second nature to me, so I like the challenge of finding the best way to present this to students. I particularly enjoy helping students through Medicine interview preparation, as low-stakes mock interviews allow them to build confidence in a low-stakes setting.
  
  The best part by far is hearing back from my students once they receive their university offers! It feels great to know that you genuinely made a difference in their future.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I’ve had many role models throughout school and university. In particular, the doctors who ran the Clinical Education course I took this year were excellent teachers. They clearly loved teaching and were enthusiastic about implementing techniques they had learned themselves, always striving to improve. It was obvious they had considered what students wanted to gain from the course and how best to achieve that, combining the theoretical teaching with practical application. I feel I learned a lot from them.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  The most important quality a tutor needs is the ability to listen to what their students need and adapt to this. Lots of my students contact me with a few weeks until their interviews or examinations. Limited to a few lessons, it’s essential I listen to what they want to work on so my students can achieve the best outcomes. Then, you have to be flexible, adapting the lessons and explanations to the student, and prioritising the information that will make the biggest difference.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  n my one of my medicine interviews, I remember confidently answering a question, then realising halfway through my answer that I’d completely misunderstood the question. The interviewer looked confused, so I tried to explain what I meant, but I don’t think I was making much sense.
  
  Now, I always emphasise to my students the importance of listening to the question, and pausing to think before responding clearly and calmly.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  On medical placements you often have to answer questions on the spot when asked by doctors. I used to find it uncomfortable to be wrong in front of others, but over time I’ve realised that these questions and constructive feedback are really important for learning. Because of this, when I tutor I try to create an environment where mistakes are okay, and my students feel comfortable asking and answering difficult questions.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  As I’ve mentioned, teaching is a huge part of Medicine. I’d love for teaching to be a part of my medical career in the long term as I find it very rewarding. I’m also quite interested in how we can continue to adapt and reform the medical curriculum to reflect the changing need of patients and developments in medical science.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  As a 4th year medical student, I understand what’s required to do well in exams and interviews, both in terms of knowledge and mindset. I have recent experience of what my students are going through, meaning I can recognise what’s important to my students and help them with what they uniquely need.
  
  On top of that, I’ve invested time in learning how to teach well. My optional modules in education taught me to used evidence-based teaching techniques in my lessons. I structure lessons carefully so students aren’t overwhelmed, and I build in opportunities for them to actively recall and apply what we’ve covered.
  
  Finally, I care about my students long-term development. In the first lesson with a new student, I often ask about their goals for university, careers or degree-apprenticeships. I always aim to build the confidence and mindset students need both to achieve their immediate exam-results or university offers, while simultaneously strengthening the skills they will need at university and beyond.