Anika Bhushan

Biography

I first became passionate about helping students through my own experience with math. In high school, as the material became more difficult, I often found myself feeling confused and unsure of where I was getting stuck. What helped me most was having a tutor who made me feel comfortable making mistakes. Having that one-on-one support allowed me to ask questions openly, build my confidence, and ultimately discover how much I enjoyed learning mathematics. I want to be that person for students today.

I grew up in Dublin, California, and earned a B.S. in Computational Mathematics from UC Riverside. I am currently pursuing an M.S. in Applied Mathematics at San José State University. During college, I learned that it is completely okay to feel stuck, as long as you do something about it. In many of my upper-division courses, I relied on my professors’ and TAs’ office hours, which once again felt like having my own tutors. As I asked questions—no matter how small or “dumb” I thought they were—I realized that many of my classmates were working through the same uncertainties. Those experiences became an important part of my growth as a mathematician and showed me how valuable a welcoming and encouraging academic community can be.

I have loved math since elementary school, but the mentors in my life helped turn that interest into a lasting passion. I have tutored fourth-grade students both one-on-one and in small groups, which taught me how important it is to adapt to each student’s individual learning style. When working with a student, I take time to understand their strengths, areas of difficulty, and how they learn best. I may explain a concept visually, numerically, or in another way depending on what makes the most sense to them. My goal is to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and developing confidence as they work through challenging material.

Outside of tutoring, I enjoy dancing, reading, and hiking in forests.