Geoffrey S.

• Cambridge, economics
• London

Hi, I’m Geoffrey. I’m a recent graduate from the University of Cambridge, where I received First Class Honours in Economics – ranking 13th in the year. I am currently taking a gap year to travel, before starting work as a technology consultant in September 2019.      From secondary school to university I have always enjoyed sharing my knowledge and helping other students, be it with work assignments, personal statements or exam preparation. I feel that tutoring also helps my personal development, improving skills such as communication, organisation and adaptability. I’m very excited to continue tutoring and aim to help all my tutees reach their maximum potential!

            I try to keep sessions flexible, adapting to the needs and abilities of each tutee. My first step when working with a new tutee is to carry out an appraisal, identifying which areas are best to prioritise. I believe that students learn best when they enjoy the subject, so I try to convey my passion for economics/maths and generate similar enthusiasm within my students. I also like to discuss revision techniques and different ways of learning, to determine the best methods for each student and help them make the most of their time outside of sessions. In addition to working on knowledge of the syllabus, I focus on exam technique. I have found that this is where the biggest improvements can be made in a short amount of time, and the experience of tutors is invaluable in understanding what examiners are looking for and how to approach exams.     I also offer Oxbridge interview preparation sessions, for Economics/Economics and Management applicants. I focus on three areas I believe to be key for the interviews. The first is working on more general interview and communication skills, making sure that tutees are able to give clear responses without going off track. The second is specifically practicing the type of questions that may come up in the interviews e.g. talking about different economics concepts, logic puzzles and maths problems. The final area is adapting to topics and information that the tutee is unfamiliar with, a crucial skill as interviewers look to challenge and push interviewees. Overall my sessions aim to not only prepare tutees for what they can expect in their interviews but to build their confidence, so that they can perform without trepidation and give the best possible account of themselves.

            I spent a cumulative ten hours tutoring a student in AS-Level Economics. I also have more informal experience – during sixth form I advised other students on their personal statements, in additional to tutoring a friend in preparation for his Oxford TSA test.

            • Passed courses in Spanish and Japanese at the university language centre  • Committee member then President of local student-run charity, Students Supporting Street Kids Cambridge  • Former committee member of the university Effective Altruism society  • Former college third-team football player