Patrick Chan

Biography

As a high schooler, I developed a skill and a passion for math and science through my classes and tutors. Originally, I applied to college thinking that I would continue to study these topics, but I instead found a new direction that ultimately resulted in a degree in Neuroscience from Carnegie Mellon University. While my college career does not fully match my high school passions, I aim to use both the knowledge and skills gained in high school and the insights I found through my time at college to help others succeed in the fields that I originally found so
enthralling.

I always have had a desire to help other people succeed, regardless of the topics or skills involved. As a high school student, I was often approached by others for help in their classes. This would include my friends and peers along with my older sister and her friends as well. I enjoy seeing people understand something that they found so daunting or confusing before, and I am always excited to watch as the walls that kept them enclosed fall down and progress is ultimately made toward their goals and ambitions.

My main approach regarding tutoring and teaching involves trying to bring forward a passion and excitement for the learning process, rather than simply being satisfied with the results. Prior to the completion of my degree in neuroscience, I struggled with finding value and excitement in the learning process as a statistics student, which ultimately led to my switch in
fields. This stagnation of progress and loss of joy is an experience that I would like others to avoid; as a tutor at AJ I believe that these courses should enable students to show their best,
rather than hurting their confidence and abilities. To do this, I put an emphasis on understanding topics and concepts from multiple directions and approaches in order to facilitate mastery over what is being taught. I believe that confidence and knowledge often go hand in hand, and instilling this confidence in students will allow them to reach heights they may not think are possible.

In my free time outside the office, I often read neuroscience and psychology research papers, play video games and spend a lot of time with my family’s dog, Rosie.