RCSI Medical Student willing to give Biology lessons up to university level

Find out more about Mert

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

  As a multifaceted tutor, I developed an interest in my chosen field and private tutoring at a relatively early stage. My interest in these subjects originated during my own academic journey in school, where I found myself intrigued by the intricacies and practical applications of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and English.
  
  Throughout my studies, I realized that one of the most effective ways to solidify my own understanding of these subjects was to explain and teach them to others. I enjoyed the experience of helping my fellow students and witnessing their "aha" moments when the missing pieces fell into place. The fulfillment and the positive impact I had teaching them sparked a genuine interest in tutoring.
  
  I find immense satisfaction in helping students not only understand the material but also develop a genuine appreciation and understanding of the subjects. It's a mutually beneficial process as tutoring allowed me to reinforce my own knowledge while helping others in the process.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  As a tutor in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and English, I have a broad range of subjects to explore with my students. In mathematics, I particularly enjoy teaching topics like algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics. Among them, simultaneous equations have become a frequent topic that I have mastered and can teach students in multiple different ways.
  
  In biology, I find great fascination in topics such as cell biology, genetics, ecology, and human anatomy. This subject is particularly close to my heart as a current medical student who is very deeply interested in human biology and understanding the natural world around us.
  
  Chemistry provides an opportunity to delve into atomic structure, chemical reactions, and organic chemistry, among other fascinating areas. Understanding concepts like bonding and chemical equations is a key part of any good future chemist.
  
  In English, I appreciate exploring literature, grammar, and writing skills. Analyzing literary works and improving writing techniques are things that I originally struggled with as English wasn't my first language however through a love of reading and through different methods, I have mastered it to the point it has surpassed my native Turkish.

• Did you have any role models; or a teacher that inspired you?

  I had many good role models. My primary school teacher Gunferi Hanim was always encouraging me to read more outside of the classroom and not during class as well as commenting on my handwriting from my very first exercises. Whenever I run into her she always jokes that she knew I would become a doctor from my handwriting. Mr. Blair was my favorite science teacher of all time, oftentimes taking the class on tangents that would prove more interesting to me than the material required, and allowed me to cultivate the deep questioning and logical mind that I have today.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  Patience is key as everyone learns at their own speed. Additionally, fully understanding the material you are working with is important as understanding the different methods that one can employ to get to the final answer allows for a tutor to be more flexible and allows them to teach different students with different learning styles better.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  During my school days, I struggled with understanding complex numbers in math class. Seeking help from my teacher, she patiently explained the concept in a different way and encouraged me to ask questions. With practice, I eventually grasped the operations with complex numbers and improved my overall understanding of algebra and problem-solving. This experience taught me the value of perseverance and seeking assistance when facing challenges. This allowed me to understand the importance of asking for help at the right time as well as how important perseverance is when it comes to figuring out a solution.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  During my high school years, I particularly struggled with integration and differentiation. It was one of the topics in maths that I couldn't get my head around up until the final months before my exam. The challenges I used to face in school also used to be that when I first started learning English, the only tutor that I had were episodes of Spongebob in English with Turkish subtitles.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Much to the disapproval of my mother, I am very passionate about video games to this day as I was while in high school. I still manage to find the time to attend my university, spend time with my friends, tutor, and also play a few games.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  The thing that makes me a Superprof is my perseverance when trying to teach subjects that my students didn't understand the first time around. The time I spent learning the Junior and Senior certs for my students even though I studied for the A Levels also shows that I am a Superprof.