I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds in 2024 and I am currently a third-year PhD student at University College Cork (UCC), conducting research in the field of organic chemistry.
During the third and fourth years of my undergraduate degree, I participated in UCC’s Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) programme, where I taught first-year undergraduate chemistry students. Many of these students had not studied chemistry for the Leaving Certificate, and the programme was designed to support their transition to university-level chemistry. As a PhD student, I have progressed to an organisational role within the programme, coordinating and supporting its delivery.
I have also been involved in an outreach initiative established by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to improve students’ understanding of electrochemistry, an area that was traditionally considered one of the most challenging topics in the Leaving Certificate Chemistry curriculum. As part of this initiative, I delivered interactive workshops in secondary schools across Clare, Cork, and Kerry, helping Transition Year, fifth-year, and sixth-year students develop confidence and understanding in this subject.
In addition, I have tutored first- and second-year undergraduate students studying a range of degree programmes, including Engineering, Pharmacy, and Chemistry. I have worked extensively with students repeating examinations, giving me valuable experience in supporting learners who find chemistry particularly challenging. I have also provided one-to-one tuition to a Leaving Certificate Chemistry student.
Through my tutoring experience, I have found that developing a strong conceptual understanding is the foundation of success in chemistry. I focus on ensuring students grasp the core principles before progressing to more complex topics. I aim to make lessons engaging and interactive, while providing targeted areas for independent study and practice questions between sessions to reinforce learning and build confidence.
I offer leaving certificate chemistry grinds at a rate of €40 per hour and university level chemistry at €50 per hour.