Looking to improve your Semester 1 results? Don't hesitate to make a real academic change and work with a tutor who is passionate and dedicated about achieving your academic success. Hey! My name is Luka O’Brien, and I’ve been a tutor for 4 years. I attended Padua College in Kedron and graduated in 2018 with an OP 1 and ATAR of 99.75 equivalent. Currently, I am attending the University of Queensland studying a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours), having achieved a place on the Dean's Honours List for academic performance. At school, I achieved consistent As and academic awards with 3 Dux awards in my final year; graduating with VHAs (A tier grades) all above 8 (out of the maximum 10) in all my subjects.
Across any subject I’ve studied, instead of there being one ‘magic’ or consistent improvement factor, the most significant determinant of my achievements has been a dedicated focus toward attaining a robust blend of content understanding and leveraging that into a quality, replicable process - despite considerable variation in assessment scenarios, topics, and timing of content delivery. It wasn’t any one tactic I was prescribed from a teacher or mentor, nor did success come immediately; what drove me forward was passion to continue enhancing my process with every new learning experience, until I became capable of systematically maximising my ability at the highest level.
After seeing other students have similar assessment struggles, often in the same cycle of self-doubt, anxiety and frustration that pained me, it really resonated that tutoring could be a mechanism for me to not just answer academic questions but make a real difference with students. It’s imbued me with the passion to help students maximise their abilities by developing their own independent learning style, in the same style I did. Academics can be an extraordinarily challenging field – it’s why you’re reading this testimonial, wondering whether I can help – but like anything of such a strong challenge, it’s equally rewarding in achieving whatever goals you define for us to achieve, and that’s the journey I want to aid.
From the moment I became a tutor, I’ve always looked to forge a distinctive program; one founded on my traditionally successful strategies and mechanisms but also one that's dynamic enough to constantly evolve attuned to curriculum changes and student needs. In 2022, the role of tutor stretches far beyond explaining exemplars, proofing drafts, and demonstrating a practice question or two – it’s becoming a learning mentor with a prime focus on establishing a core philosophy of critical analysis and instituting successful habits to foster sustainable success. Students don’t just need another teacher - they need someone who understands the unique problems of being a modern student, who cultivates a positive learning environment where they’re not only open about academic challenges but can become passionate in collaboratively developing a solution that they trust will work for them. It’s a remarkable difference. One I’m proud that’s caused so much sustained success for those who’ve committed to it - one I hope I can the privilege to utilise and create positive academic change for as many new students as I can.
Each student I work with operates in carefully attuned lessons based on my evaluation of their learning style; designed uniquely to consolidate their strengths and redress their weaknesses across the devised timespan. Cultivating their style in conjunction with my base constructed curriculum is something I’ve found resonates powerfully; it encourages all students to develop ownership, ask questions and become passionately comprehensive in their study. Across an increasingly cramped education landscape where mainstream approaches fail to empower and often disables student progress, the advantage of having a relatable advocate who is seasoned in carefully tailoring and attuning planning to what best suits them cannot be understated.
Indeed, attaining this kind of learning process has only become more influential for senior students doing ATAR external exams – the success of my 2020 and 2021 students achieving significantly better in externals and overall than they were predicted (average 8.5 ATAR increase differential across both cohorts after externals) validates the efficacy of this philosophy.
And for me, this role stretches beyond just core content assistance. Past students have particularly highlighted my help in understanding a study plan or targeting syllabus criteria to attain results but also assisting in forming core habits to meeting deadlines, embracing achieving emotional/mental clarity and sustaining focus across stressful situations. I fully believe achieving results isn’t just about pure academic study, it’s about ensuring students are comprehensively prepared in all areas of their process to do well. I want to help, in any way I can – this has been, and will only continue to be such a strong part of that.
Of course, I have so much confidence in the unparalleled quality of this program; not because it’s my academic identity, but because it’s been validated by the remarkable success response that students have had historically and that your student could attain. Within the first semester of committing to our program, the average result I've tracked has been a full letter grade (such as consistent Cs to consistent Bs/As) improvements or higher within the first semester. This kind of change goes deeper, it’s not just answering questions or a small tweak in approach; it's an immediately substantial, directed change in academic philosophy that breeds a discernible growth in quality across all areas of study.
In 2022, I will be offering tutoring for all listed subjects from grades 5-12; both in person and continuing my successful online work amid COVID uncertainty or for convenience. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or want to explore what academic change could look like for you or your student.
Looking forward to helping to create your change for the rest of 2022.
