Dilmi

Hello! My name is Dilmi Gunatillake. I am currently studying Medicine at Bart’s and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. I am going in to my fourth year and am intercalating in Sports and Exercise Medicine! I love education and learning, having achieved straight 8/9/A*s at GCSES and A/A*s at A-Level. I believe that learning can be exciting and that everyone can find enjoyment in learning. However, I, like many others, went through times where learning new content and subjects was challenging and difficult. However, now looking back those moments of being challenged are when I have grown the most as an individual and as a learner! I want to spread my understanding of learning on to students, by not just teaching them, but helping them understand how they as individuals can best learn so that everyone can enjoy learning!

Tutoring Experience

I have volunteered as a baby ballet assistant and as a junior club swimming coach. Working with children from ages of 4-13, I have a clear understanding of how different children of different ages best comprehend tasks and instruction. I have clear knowledge of how best to engage students and ensure they are excited to participate. I can read children, understanding when they are struggling so that I may support them to the best of my ability.
I was maths mentor at school, tutoring girls in year 7-9 who were previously struggling. I was able to build a good rapport, taking to time to listen and understand why the girls were struggling before helping them overcome their difficulties and allowing them to be successful in mathematics.
I have also been a peer mentor at school and take part in the buddy system at my university. I believe well-being is at the heart of education and that a happy child learns the best. It is imperative for me to look after a child’s mental health as well as tutor them in their subjects.

Tutoring Approach

Learning is challenging, especially learning things that do not come naturally to us. My approach is to start from the basics and ensure students have a solid foundation that they can build on. I am also a big believer in independence. Lots of my teaching will not be on how to answer specific problems but I will teach students methods and tactics so that they are able to combat problems alone. I believe in challenging students and pushing them when they are comfortable as learning always happens why we are pushed. But along with all of this, I will be a friendly face to the students, so that they feel comfortable and safe to make mistakes so that they can learn from them so that they don’t make the same mistakes in the future.