Second Year Med student at UCD who achieved 100th percentile in HPAT and 625 in leaving cert offers LC Maths grinds in Dublin

Find out more about Aathif

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

  I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and helping others understand difficult concepts. Throughout secondary school, I found myself explaining Maths and Science topics to classmates before exams, and I realised I enjoyed teaching just as much as learning.
  
  After achieving 625 points in the Leaving Certificate and beginning Medicine at University College Dublin, I started tutoring professionally. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of teaching over 200 students across Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and HPAT preparation. Seeing students gain confidence and achieve results they once thought were out of reach is what motivates me to keep teaching.

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

  I teach Leaving Certificate Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, as well as HPAT preparation.
  
  What I enjoy most is helping students understand why concepts work rather than simply memorising methods. Whether it’s calculus, mechanics, electricity, organic chemistry or genetics, I like breaking complex ideas into simple, logical steps that students can build upon.
  
  I also enjoy discussing study techniques, exam strategy and how to approach difficult questions efficiently. These skills often make just as much difference as knowing the content itself.

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

  I’ve been fortunate to have several excellent teachers throughout my education. The ones who inspired me most weren’t necessarily the smartest, they were the ones who genuinely cared about whether every student understood the lesson.
  
  They showed me that great teaching is about patience, clear communication and adapting explanations until they finally “click.” That’s something I try to bring into every lesson I teach.

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

  A good tutor needs much more than subject knowledge.
  
  Patience, clear communication and adaptability are essential because every student learns differently. A tutor should be able to explain the same concept in several different ways until it makes sense to that particular student.
  
  Equally important is creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions without worrying about getting something wrong. Confidence is built one step at a time, and I believe a tutor should encourage students while still challenging them to reach their potential.

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

  One lesson I’ve learned is that intelligence alone doesn’t guarantee success.
  
  During my Leaving Certificate, I realised that consistency mattered far more than occasional bursts of motivation. Small daily improvements eventually added up to achieving 625 points.
  
  I now encourage all of my students to focus on building good study habits rather than relying on last-minute cramming. The students who improve the most are usually the ones who stay consistent week after week.

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

  Like many students, I occasionally found certain topics difficult when I first encountered them. The difference came from learning to ask questions, practise consistently and understand concepts deeply rather than memorising solutions.
  
  Even now, as a medical student, I’m constantly learning new material. That experience reminds me what it’s like to be a student and helps me relate to those I teach. Learning never really stops.

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

  Teaching is definitely one of my biggest passions because I enjoy seeing students develop confidence in themselves.
  
  Outside teaching, I’m studying Medicine at UCD and have a particular interest in orthopaedic surgery and medical research. I also enjoy fitness, and finding ways to continuously improve both academically and personally.
  
  Those interests have taught me that success is rarely about talent alone, it’s about discipline, consistency and having the right systems in place.

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

  I genuinely care about my students’ progress.
  
  Every lesson is tailored to the individual student rather than following the same script every time. I focus on making difficult topics understandable, identifying weaknesses quickly and building confidence alongside academic performance.
  
  Having taught over 200 students, I understand that every learner is different. My goal isn’t simply to help students pass exams, it’s to help them become independent, confident learners who know how to tackle challenging problems long after our lessons have finished.
  
  Whether you’re aiming to improve your grades, achieve a H1, or prepare for the HPAT, I’ll do everything I can to help you reach your goals.