Sam Christie

I’m a first-year undergraduate studying Chemistry at the University of Oxford.

Sometimes classroom learning fails to give an in-depth understanding of a subject, because it’s designed for the student body at large. That’s when a tutor is needed: to work closely with one student and reframe a topic precisely for their needs, giving them an understanding that lasts. As a Mayfair Scholar, I want to help students who need that new angle on a topic, which is why I take extra care to be slow, patient and thoughtful when planning sessions and when working through difficult problems.

At school I was very successful in my exams, achieving all 9s at GCSE and all A*s at A-Level. As a result, I know mark schemes, revision strategies and exam tips inside out, and I’m keen to share them so that others can conquer the dreaded exam season.

Problem-solving can be incredibly beautiful, and I can’t think of two subjects that show it better than Chemistry and Maths. There’s almost nothing like the feeling of a satisfying solution, except the moment a student finally grasps a difficult reasoning step that has been holding them back. That’s why I carefully structure my sessions to give each student just the right amount of support, so that by the end they can work independently with confidence.

I’m also fluent in German after five years of studying it, and I’ve loved linguistics all my life. In a German session you can expect patient, tailored speaking practice, along with any other language skills you need, and a handy vocabulary list at the end.

Outside my studies, I’m a Choral Scholar at University College, Oxford, and I love playing the piano and guitar. As a rock climber who has fallen more times than he can count, I also know how much perseverance matters, whether it’s finally reaching the top or finally getting the grades you know you deserve.