Christopher

Hello! I'm Chris. I hold a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh, and a Master's in Mathematics from the University of Oxford. I am well prepared to guide students at all levels through challenging parts of their studies, and to prepare students for admissions tests to high-profile universities such as Oxbridge and the Russell Group. I was first encouraged to teach by a friend who told me I had a "real talent for communicating technical topics". As it turns out, she was just sick of having to listen to me explain the coolest thing I was learning at the time.

Tutoring Experience

I have been operating as a private tutor for over 10 years in Huddersfield, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Lincolnshire. I have tutored students from National 5s all the way to PhD level. Most students I tutor are studying mathematics or physics, but I have taught mathematically-focused modules in fields as varied as macroeconomics and mechanical engineering. In particular, I have extensive experience with students resitting exams rather than taking them for the first time, and with students applying for high-profile universities that require entrance tests and interviews such as the MAT and STEP.

I am also employed by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University to teach mathematics undergraduates and masters students, marking their work and giving constructive feedback and instruction. I am extremely familiar with the structure of the mathematics degrees at both institutions due to this teaching experience.

Tutoring Approach

I am all too familiar with the stress and frustration that preparing for exams and entrance tests can bring. It can prove difficult for many bright, able students to fully communicate their ideas in these intense situations. I also began tutoring on a peer to peer basis as part of a mentoring programme during my A Level studies. I believe that these experiences allow me to bring a unique and compassionate approach; helping students be not only academically but emotionally prepared for their studies, so that they can fulfil their full potential.

For me, learning and researching mathematics has proven an exciting adventure. It's this energy, drive and enthusiasm that I try to share with my students. Mathematics is a continual battle between the need for rigour and the need for intuitive understanding, and it's this balance that is often the hardest to strike. I aim to instil in students not only a confidence in use of notation and logical argument, but a confidence in their understanding of the underlying principles.

When a technical topic is too much to digest, or proves un-intuitive, I use my extensive experience to approach difficult concepts from multiple angles. As both teacher and student I have developed a large repository of useful examples and illustrative exercises. A current student of mine, who is reading for a PhD in Physics, perfectly summed up my tutoring approach:

"A teacher who does not understand can explain the topic only one way -- as it is in the book. Chris can explain every topic in a few different ways, increasing probability that the student understands".