I struggled significantly, both academically and more generally, when I first transferred to UC Berkeley. I struggled with my mental health. I struggled to study effectively, to do well on assignments and exams. I struggled to manage my ADHD, and build a study practice that worked for me. While there were general resources available, they were often treatments of the symptoms, rather than the underlying problems themselves. I got advice such as “take breaks” or “get enough sleep” but, was unable to find help identifying the specific challenges I faced, and how to solve them, and so I struggled academically despite a deep desire to learn and be successful. It took a lot of time and trial-and-error to figured out how to be successful. I still have much to learn, and still actively error-correct on a weekly basis, in everything from sleep habits and exercise regimens to specific study techniques, but I’ve figured out how to learn, how to get good grades, and how to manage my mental health and ADHD.
Because of these experiences, I am deeply passionate about the science of learning, practically applying that research, and the overarching challenges of achieving academic success. I believe it is a failure of our academic system every time a student who is passionate and motivated struggles academically, and am deeply passionate about helping those students find the connection between their passion and academic success.
As a personal project, I offer free, one-on-one tutoring and personalized academic coaching, for students who are unable to afford paid tutoring, struggle with challenges like ADHD, or are experiencing any other difficulties that bar them from academic success. I work with students on a semesterly basis, and adjust my specific support to their needs. I primarily tutor anatomy, physiology, 1st-semester general chemistry, and lower-division math. However, I will sometimes work with students in other topics on a case-by-case basis.
If you are a student in need of support academically with one of the above courses, or another, you can contact me using the ‘contact me’ link on this site, and tell me a little bit about yourself and what you need support with, and I’ll email you back to discuss further.
The Circle of Willis is an anastomotic loop found at the base of the brain, that ensures adequate blood and nutrient supply to the entire brain, even if one individual supplying artery is blocked. When I began tutoring, I named the project The Circle of Willis, in honor of the anatomical structure that embodies the holistic support I endeavor to provide to my students.
