Duke Pre-Med Student | Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Exam Prep

Anika D.

I am a sophomore at Duke University majoring in Biology on the pre-med track. I am currently on the Dean’s List with Distinction and maintain a 4.0 GPA. My coursework at Duke so far include Organic Chemistry I and II and several biology classes such as Cell Signaling and Disease, Molecular Biology, and Genetics and Evolution, where I have earned A grades. Before coming to Duke, I completed the International Baccalaureate program with a score of 44/45, including a 7 in both Chemistry HL and Biology HL.

I do not consider myself a genius, but I have developed strong study habits and organizational strategies that have helped me succeed in demanding science courses. The IB program required learning a large amount of material across many subjects over two years, and it forced me to become very organized and intentional about how I studied. I learned how to break complex topics into manageable pieces and prepare efficiently for exams, which are skills I still rely on in my Duke classes.

While I do not have formal tutoring experience yet, I have often helped classmates and younger students understand difficult concepts and plan how to approach their courses. I also volunteered at a pediatric therapy center, where I worked with younger kids and learned how important patience and clear communication are when explaining new ideas.

As a tutor, my goal is not only to help students understand challenging material but also to help them develop a plan for succeeding in the class. I like to go through the syllabus, exam guides, and course resources with students and help them create a clear strategy for studying and staying organized. My hope is that the skills students gain will help them not only in the class they are taking now, but in future science courses as well.