Xuan

I recently graduated with honors from Harvard University, majoring in Applied Mathematics on the Physics track with a secondary in Statistics, supported by a full scholarship throughout my studies. I'm now preparing to begin my MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance at the University of Oxford this October, having also received an offer from Imperial College London for Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Mathematics and physics have always fascinated me, not only for their intellectual rigor but also because they allow us to unlock the mysteries of the universe and tackle real-world problems. This passion began early, culminating in achieving top A-Level results (4 A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Chemistry) and earning accolades such as Gold in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge and Silver awards in both the British Physics Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.

My enthusiasm for teaching began during the pandemic, driven by a desire to make complex concepts accessible and enjoyable for my students. I firmly believe that with the right guidance, any student can discover joy and confidence in maths and physics, empowering them not just academically, but also personally.

For more about my educational journey, feel free to read an article published by The Times highlighting my acceptance into Harvard:

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Tutoring Experience

I have been tutoring since July 2020, but I have also taught in a sixth form and served as teaching fellows in a few Harvard classes. Since then, I have:

• Supported two students’ US applications, reviewed their applications and offered advice they used to help them secure places in Harvard and Princeton University respectively.

• Tutored one student, who was predicted a B for his Chemistry in A-Levels, for 2 months and helped him get an A in that subject in the actual test

• Helped one student secure a scholarship to St Margaret's School

• Pushed a student, who started in set 3 for Maths, into set 1 within 3 months

• Taught a group of struggling A-Level Physics students, as well as struggling Maths students, and helped them achieve a minimum of a B at the end of their first year.

• Led weekly support sessions for 70+ undergraduate students, reinforcing complex concepts in ordinary and partial differential equations through interactive problem-solving exercises and real-world applications.

• Assisted and coached over 200 students in a Life and Physical Sciences Class

Tutoring Approach

My tutoring approach is both highly student-centered and backed by science—I believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged and empowered to take ownership of their learning. At the start of each session, I assess my students’ current understanding of the material, so I can tailor my teaching to their specific needs and starting points. I then introduce the main content of the lesson, focusing especially on areas where the student feels less confident, to ensure their understanding is as comprehensive as possible.

Throughout the lesson, I use a Socratic approach, asking guiding questions that encourage students to think critically and make connections between different concepts. This interactive style not only keeps students engaged but also helps them develop a deeper, more intuitive grasp of the subject. After covering the core material, I provide practice questions to test their understanding, and we review their answers together to identify strengths and areas for further improvement.

This method has consistently helped my students progress from average performers to ranking in the top 10% of their classes. I also make it a point to begin each subsequent lesson with a brief review of previous material, reinforcing learning and ensuring continuity. My ultimate goal is to build my students’ confidence and independence, so they can tackle new challenges with enthusiasm and skill.