UCSB Graduate in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Anthropology. Teaches psychology and anthropology. Patiently will help all levels! Always accepting new students!

Find out more about Olivia

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

  I developed an interest in psychology and neuroscience during my time studying at UCSB. I was initially a biology major (biology is still an interest of mine), however, I became deeply fascinated with the brain and how it impacts our behavior. Human beings have the largest brain-to-body size ratio which allows us to have complex cognition and self-awareness. I am continually learning about the brain and new studies that are conducted. I wanted to become a tutor because I can share my passions for biology and psychology with other students, and help them succeed in the classroom.

• 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 psychology brain science and biology. Psychology and brain science is a broad field that can focus on social behavior, neural mechanisms, evolution, and development. Psychology in simple terms is the study of our mind and behavior. In my college career, I covered all of the previously listed subfields of psychology, and believe I could help high school and undergraduate students succeed in this field. Biology is also an incredibly broad topic. I enjoy discussing how organisms interact within an ecosystem, a cell's individual organelles, protein structure and function, DNA replication, and many more concepts. I could help any middle school or high school biology student succeed in the classroom. In both psychology and biology, I love discussing evolution.

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

  In elementary school, I had an enrichment teacher who inspired me to think and solve problems creatively. He would explain harder mathematical concepts in simpler terms. In my lessons, I aim to create interactive learning experiences for my students and introduce creative ways for students to learn and think about material.

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

  The qualities that are required to be a good tutor are a deep understanding of the content, good communication skills, patience to ensure the student learns the concept, and finally being a good listener to understand what the student needs specific help with.

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

  In my 3rd year at UCSB studying psychology and brain science, I took a class called the evolution and cognition. This class was absolutely groundbreaking to me. It was the first evolutionary psychology course I have ever taken, and it opened my eyes to a new perspective of psychology. This class taught me to think of the brain as a complex mechanism that has evolved over thousands of years. Our behavior and emotions are not random, they are likely evolutionarily beneficial to our survival.

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

  A difficulty I faced in biology was remembering all of the course material. As I mentioned previously, biology is an incredibly broad topic and it is challenging to simply remember it all! For my tutoring lessons, it is helpful when students send me a small worksheet or notes from their class to inform me what specific concept we will be focusing on. A difficulty I faced in psychology was sifting through dense neuroscientific studies. I have a lot of practice with this and now can easily find the main findings and important information. The statistical jargon in psychology can be confusing, but with practice, I keep getting better at it.

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

  Outside of tutoring I love music and painting. Some day I hope to teach those topics as well. I am passionate about helping people. Psychology and biology are very important subjects for learning about mental health and wellness. I also enjoy helping people succeed in the classroom and when they finally understand a concept that was difficult for them. I believe that Evolutionary psychology will continue to be groundbreaking in the field of psychology.

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

  The qualities that make me a Superprof are my friendliness, my deep understanding of concepts, my patience, and my creative way of presenting information. I understand what it is like to be a student and know the common challenges that students have in biology and psychology classrooms. I am a Superprof because I am a good communicator (I respond quickly and clearly), I am flexible ( I am willing to work around a student's schedule), I am knowledgeable, and finally I am friendly and create a comfortable learning environment.