Thomas

ABOUT ME:
I`m 27 and training to be a doctor on the University of Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine. I have a first class degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Birmingham (2016) and I am also an accomplished musician: Clarinet is my first instrument, which I play in various orchestras/ chamber groups in Cambridge. I also play and teach saxophone and recorder.

My desire to be a doctor stems from my passion for helping others and my love of learning. These qualities, paired with my exceptional academic attainment and recent experience of actually being a student and preparing for exams makes me well suited to being an excellent tutor. I’m very friendly, patient and easy-going, with an ability to engage and form connections with individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities very quickly; an essential skill for effective tutoring.

TUTORING EXPERIENCE:
* Online tutoring: A Level Biology, interview practice for medical school applicants
* Home tutoring for KS3 Maths, and helping family friends` children with their Science/Maths GCSEs
* Teaching recorder, clarinet and saxophone across Cambridge to students of all abilities and ages (primary school kids, to adults whose kids have left home!)
* Leading music workshops in primary schools as part of an Arts Festival.

TUTORING STYLE: Science/Medicine (see below for Music Tuition)

I aim to mirror the highly acclaimed `supervision` format used at Cambridge (the same as the `tutorial` system in Oxford). In order to learn effectively, it is vital to develop as broad an understanding of the subject as possible. Attempting to learn complex material without thinking about how it relates to anything else is extremely difficult. However, when we stop to think about the bigger picture and what we already know (which is always more than we first imagine!), it makes it much easier to zoom in on the details and fill in the gaps.

I will start the session by asking some ‘big-picture’ questions, to find out what you already know, and then push you with further questioning to lead you in the right direction and see if you can work things out for yourself. It is far easier to remember things you’ve worked out from first principles, under the guidance of a tutor. Science is very visual: I therefore like to draw diagrams/graphs etc (and will get you to do so!) to help explain things, and will ask questions as we go to test your understanding. I do, of course, tailor my sessions to each individual; I will work with your particular strengths, weaknesses and preferences to find a tutoring style which works for you and enables you to get the most out of it.

MEDICAL SCHOOL PREPARATION/ MENTORING:
Getting into medical school can seem an impossible challenge. Competition is fierce with many highly qualified candidates applying for every place, and there are so many hoops to jump through: getting top grades, doing sufficient work experience, putting together a strong UCAS application with a compelling personal statement, acing entrance exams, succeeding at interview… Having been through that system, I know just how arduous and stressful the process can be. BUT, with enough motivation and dedication, it is possible! I successfully gained admission to several of the UK’s top medical schools (Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial) and I’d be very willing to meet up with aspiring medics to help them through the process in any way I can: general advice, working on personal statements, entrance exam prep (BMAT, UKCAT), interview practice…

MUSIC TUITION:
Aside from Medicine, Music is my main passion in life. I’ve played clarinet since I was 7 and find it such a great escape from medic life. Last year I was Principal Clarinet of the Cambridge University Orchestra, which enabled me to play in some amazing venues (King’s, Trinity and Jesus College Chapels, on tour in Poland) under some incredible conductors (Sian Edwards, Ryan Wigglesworth, Duncan Ward). I also won one of the University’s prestigious Instrumental Awards for Chamber Music, through which I played in a trio with cello and piano at many of the University’s finest small venues (Pembroke Old Library, St John’s Divinity School, Trinity Combination Room).

Through my teens I played with the Derbyshire County Orchestra, and guested with many local orchestras (incl. Sheffield Rep Orchestra, Sheffield Symphony Orchestra, Hallam Sinfonia, Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra). As a soloist, I’ve performed the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the South Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, and done slots in concerts with many local groups and choirs.

Music-making is such a joy. It gives you freedom to express some of who you really are; your personality, thoughts and emotions, and connect to others with no language or cultural barriers. Its never too late to learn an instrument, and it is such a life-enriching, fun hobby to have. If you are interested in learning clarinet, whatever your level of musical experience, please get in touch. I’d happily teach students from complete beginners through to ABRSM grade 8. I also play saxophone, and would be happy to teach up to grade 5 standard.

Availability: I am flexible with my availability as I am taking a break from my studies this year, hence having the time to tutor. However, my availability may vary week to week due to work/music commitments.

I will of course liaise with you to find times which suit you, and I am very happy to make myself more available in the run up to exams!

Willing to travel: 5 miles

Experience: My teaching experience includes helping family friends` children with their Science and Maths GCSEs, teaching clarinet and entering students for ABRSM exams, and running music workshops in many primary schools as part of an Arts Festival.

I also have a lot of recent experience of being tutored at Cambridge. Indeed, with my tutoring, I aim to emulate the highly acclaimed `supervision` format used at Cambridge University (the same as the `tutorial system` at Oxford).

In order to learn effectively, it is vital to develop as broad an understanding of subjects and topics as possible. Attempting to learn complex material without thinking about how it relates to anything else is extremely difficult. However, when we take a step back to think about the bigger picture and what we already know (which is always more than we first imagine!), it makes it much easier to zoom in on the details and fill in the gaps. I will start the session by asking some ‘big-picture’ questions, to find out what the student already knows, and then push them with further questioning to lead them in the right direction and see if they work things out for themselves: It is far easier to remember material you’ve worked out from first principles, under the guidance of a tutor. Science is very visual: I therefore like to draw diagrams/graphs etc (and will get the student to do so!) to help explain things, and will ask questions as we go to test understanding. I will, of course, tailor my sessions to each individual; I will work with the student`s particular strengths, weaknesses and preferences to find a tutoring style which brings about the best results.