PrepNow Tutor - Nick A.
Nick is a physics and math tutor who thrives on tackling problems that require rigor and imagination. He graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a BS in applied mathematics (with an emphasis in physics) and a BA in music performance with a minor in music composition. Nick is currently pursuing his MS in particle accelerator physics, also at Indiana University Bloomington; he is also obtaining certificates in welding and mechatronics from Ivy Tech Community College. In addition to tutoring math and physics, Nick is currently completing research in particle accelerator physics and neutrino beams at Indiana University as a physics department staff member. He also teaches music lessons and plays in local symphony orchestras.
Nick started tutoring in 2017 during his first year of college, initially instructing in music. Throughout his career, he has gained an extensive range of experience teaching math. He has worked with students in a wide range of math topics: pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, vector calculus, all levels of ordinary and partial differential equations, real analysis, complex analysis, some topology, and more.
“My tutoring style is focused primarily on getting students to find the passion in what they are learning,” Nick says. “When you buy into what mathematics is able to convey and how the simple mathematics people learn is the foundation for tackling some of the world’s hardest problems, your ability to progress is multiplied.” Nick couples this with having very high expectations for his students. “I take the approach that they are there of their own volition to improve in the subject area I am tutoring, and therefore I expect them to put true effort into what they are doing,” Nick explains. “If I can convince someone to buy into how important consistent, hard work is, then mathematics will come very easily.”
As a student, Nick participated in marching band, All-State Symphony Orchestra, numerous honors bands and clinics, Asbury Brass Camp, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. He is an avid scuba diver, having conducted solo decompression dives down to 150 feet and cave dives in the underwater systems of North Florida and Missouri. He’s also a very active tuba and piano player, has many personal math and physics projects he continually works on, and enjoys reading and playing games.
“I describe myself as someone who works simultaneously in theory, computation, and creative endeavors, whether that’s developing theory in particle accelerators, exploring new quantum mechanics models, or playing a crazy hard tuba solo,” Nick shares.
