I’m Trevor, a Cambridge Computer Science graduate and specialist tutor in Oxbridge applications, Olympiads, and A-levels.

Find out more about Trevor (Tianyu)

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I was that person in school who would help classmates understand maths and science concepts. Things became more serious after I started studying Computer Science at the University of Cambridge. That's when I got invited back to my old school to help students applying for Oxbridge, which is when I started tutoring professionally.
  
  Since then, I've worked with some of the top Oxbridge admissions tutoring companies, helping students prepare for interviews, personal statements, and entrance exams. Over the years, I've built up a bank of real past interview questions, and
  
  made friends over the years-some of whom later became interviewers at Oxbridge and other unis, which has given me helpful insights into how the admissions process continues to evolve. I've also expanded into tutoring for 11+, 13+ etc., and entrance exams for top UK schools-it's been quite the journey!

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I mainly teach maths, physics, chemistry, and computer science, especially at high levels like Olympiads and Oxbridge interviews.
  
  What I love most is going back to first principles-really understanding where an idea comes from rather than just memorising formulas, this is especially important for competitions. In maths, that might mean diving into the intuition behind number theory or combinatorics. In physics, I like exploring how the tiniest particles behave and how those ideas scale up. Chemistry gets interesting when you look at entropy and microstates from a more fundamental point of view. And in computer science, it's all about abstraction, breaking down hard problems.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  Richard Feynman is a huge inspiration for me. His approach to learning, breaking complex ideas down so clearly that anyone can understand, is exactly how I try to teach. I've always liked his idea that if you truly understand something, you should be able to explain it simply. That method (often called the Feynman Technique) is something I use a lot with my students, especially for difficult concepts.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor should have deep knowledge of the subject, but more importantly, be able to explain things in a way that actually makes sense to the student. That often means going beyond one question and showing how the ideas apply more generally. I also think it helps to be genuinely excited about the subject, enthusiasm is contagious and makes lessons more fun for both sides.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When I was preparing for the national Olympiads, I got really into it, I would spend hours on a single hard problem, trying out lots of different methods from all sorts of angles. I ended up writing over 50 pages of solutions for competitions, which were all faster or more intuitive than the official ones.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still face in your subject?

  I'm always looking for better solutions. Even when something works, I ask myself: "Could there be a smarter way?" Especially in competitions and Oxbridge prep, every detail matters, so refining your approach is key.
  
  Sometimes my students surprise me with ideas I hadn't thought of, they'll look at a question from a completely fresh angle. It reminds me that learning is a two-way street, and I learn a lot from teaching too.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Honestly, I just love teaching. I love the subjects I teach, and I love seeing students grow in confidence and curiosity. There's nothing more rewarding than watching someone go from "I don't get this" to "Oh! That makes sense now!"-especially with a subject that's seen as difficult. Tutoring combines my passion for problem-solving and helping people, so it feels like a perfect fit.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P)?

  I care deeply about my students and their goals. Whether it's getting into their dream school or just building confidence in a subject, I want them to succeed.
  
  I bring energy, experience, and a lot of enthusiasm to every session. I don't just teach content, I help students develop problem-solving skills and mindsets that will serve them beyond school. I genuinely enjoy what I do, and I think that makes all the difference.