Chemistry Tutor in Ottawa - Medical student with 8 years of tutoring experience

Find out more about Zeynep

• When and why did you develop an interest in your chosen field?

  My passion for teaching and helping others learn began seven years ago when I noticed a gap in the accessibility of quality education resources. I realized that many people, including myself, struggled to find easy-to-understand explanations for certain topics, which often led to spending hours researching and studying to comprehend concepts that could have been explained in just 10 minutes. Once I learnt the certain topic, I began sharing my work with friends and colleagues, and they found it to be incredibly helpful as well. Seeing the positive impact that my explanations had on others encouraged me to pursue tutoring as a way to help even more people overcome their learning obstacles.

• What makes you passionate about your subject?

  I have always been fascinated by science and math, but what really drives my passion is the belief that these concepts do not have to be as complicated as they are often portrayed. In fact, I believe that science and math are the building blocks of life itself and can be incredibly interesting once they are learned through application and real-world examples. As a tutor, I am passionate about sharing this application with my students and helping them achieve their goals. It is incredibly rewarding to see students grasp a concept for the first time and begin to see the real-world implications of what they are learning. I find it even more encouraging when my students develop the same passion for science and math that I have, and begin to see the beauty and simplicity behind the seemingly complex concepts.

• What do you like about tutoring? What makes you a "Superprof"?

  What I enjoy most about tutoring is seeing my students achieve their goals and make progress in their learning journey. There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing a student grasp a difficult concept or solve a problem on their own, and knowing that I played a part in helping them get there. Teaching is a true passion of mine, and I believe that it takes more than just knowledge of the subject matter to be a "Superprof". To me, being a "Superprof" means being able to connect with my students on a personal level, understanding their unique needs and learning styles, and tailoring my teaching methods to help them achieve their goals. It means being patient, encouraging, and always willing to go the extra mile to help my students succeed.

• Do you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you? Please explain.

  Yes, I do! My teacher who taught me concepts and also mentored me through MCAT. She allowed me to understand that theory and rote memorization can only take you so far, and that true understanding and application of concepts is what sets successful students apart. What I particularly admired about her was her ability to not only teach the material, but to also challenge their students to think in new and innovative ways. This encouraged me to explore different perspectives, ask critical questions, and apply my knowledge in practical situations. This approach forced me to see the material in a new light and helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Thanks to her, I learned that effective teaching is not just about conveying information, but about inspiring students to think beyond the textbook and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. She instilled in me a passion for learning and a desire to share that passion with others through teaching.

• What are your keys to success?

  I believe the starting point to success is setting clear goals and having a plan to achieve them. Throughout this process, I believe that a positive attitude and a growth mindset are crucial to not only achieve your goals but also to maintain them. Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, learning from mistakes, and staying motivated through setbacks are all important factors in achieving success. You also need to put in time and effort to achieve those goals. Writing them down is only a starting point, the real effort starts after. Finally, I believe that continuous learning and self-improvement are essential.