Ashini, a fourth-year medical student, and Rohith, a second-year medical student, recently shared their insights as volunteer tutors at Thomas Jefferson University's chapter of RISE Philadelphia. I had the privilege of interviewing them to learn about their experiences and the positive impact they have had while tutoring.
Tell me about yourself and what made you interested in becoming a volunteer tutor for RISE Philadelphia.
Ashini: I’m a fourth-year medical student at Jefferson! I’m originally from California but went to Penn State for undergrad. I’m applying into Ob/Gyn this year and am excited to start residency soon. I joined RISE Philadelphia because I wanted to mentor youth in Philadelphia and help close education gaps. I had previously tutored in undergrad and wanted a way to continue that experience in medical school.
Rohith: I’m a second-year medical student at Jefferson. I’m from Indiana and attended Penn State for undergrad. Joining RISE Philadelphia was an exciting opportunity for me to continue my passion for mentorship and work with the local youth in our community.
How often do you tutor and what does an average tutoring session look like?
Ashini: I tutor once a week for about an hour, based on my student’s schedule. An average tutoring session includes meeting the student where they are and helping them with various subjects. The bulk of the session focuses on their subjective struggles. I help my student complete assignments and teach them the subject at hand.
Rohith: I tutor around once a week for two hours. I ask the students to send me their assignments for the week and we’ll go through each one together, focusing on the areas they are having trouble with.
What do you like about being a RISE Philadelphia tutor? Would you recommend becoming a tutor to other medical students?
Ashini: RISE Philadelphia gave me an opportunity to connect with a student and her family in a way I would have not otherwise been connected to. I like that there is an opportunity to build an academic relationship with the student, while helping to further their education. It’s also very rewarding to give back to the community in a small way and help in a non-medical way. I would definitely recommend becoming a tutor!
Rohith: I would definitely recommend any graduate student to join RISE Philadelphia. With a busy schedule, it can be difficult to find opportunities to form longitudinal relationships with people in your community, but RISE is able to connect you with students and families for all four years of school. It’s very rewarding to watch your students develop both academically and personally.
How do you create a positive and supportive learning environment?
Ashini: I create a positive and supportive environment by meeting students where they are and working to fill the gaps they are coming to me with. I usually have students try the question first and help guide them to the right answer, while also explaining the process. It’s important to me to make sure that students feel comfortable and have a safe and open space to ask questions.
Rohith: I think it's very important to maintain a positive learning environment. I always try to keep the mood fun and lighthearted, and avoid placing any pressure on students. I’ve noticed a clear-cut difference in how much better students learn in a low stress and supportive environment.
What was your most impactful moment as a tutor?
Ashini: It’s hard to identify one specific impactful moment as a tutor. In every session, there’s a breakthrough or understanding that the student reaches that makes me grateful to have the opportunity to be a tutor. Even the small victories can mean so much. It’s also rewarding to be able to tutor a younger generation and serve as a potential mentor.
Rohith: I don’t think there’s one specific moment I would consider my most impactful, but the most impactful memories for me are when I can clearly see the steps forward my students are taking. Seeing them become more confident in their own knowledge is extremely motivating for me as a mentor, and strengthens my own resolve to continue to help them and watch them grow.
Become a RISE Philadelphia tutor and make a difference! This flexible opportunity enables you to provide academic support and mentorship to K-12 students in Philadelphia. Sign up today at: www.risephiladelphia.com
Author: Sunisha Busarajan
Medical Student, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
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