Before they were guiding students through essays, equations and exam prep, our tutors were students too—just like you. They sat in classrooms, tackled tricky topics, faced self-doubt, and celebrated hard-won victories. And while some developed solid study systems early on, others learned the hard way that success comes from consistency, not shortcuts.
At Mindlab, we believe in teaching with empathy—and that means understanding the ups and downs students face. We asked our tutors to take a trip down memory lane and reflect on their own school journeys. The results? Humble, funny, and reassuringly human.
💡 “In School, I Was the Kind of Student Who…”
Before they became mentors, our tutors were students navigating their own unique journeys—full of ambition, quirks, lessons, and growth. From methodical planners to expressive thinkers, each one carried a style that shaped not just how they learned, but how they now teach.
Here’s a look at the academic archetypes that once defined them.
The Spirited Scholar
I liked learning but also made room for creativity and friendship.
Mr Hanyu moved through school with both discipline and lightness. He studied hard, but never lost his sense of humour or connection. Whether working through equations or sharing a laugh, he understood that learning thrives best in balance—and that’s exactly what he brings to his classes now.
The Perfectionist
I was very focused—always trying to get things done right the first time.
Jining’s approach to learning was rooted in accuracy, intention, and control. With a sharp eye for detail and a quiet drive for excellence, he sought mastery—not just completion. Today, he helps students aim high while staying grounded in understanding.
The Wordsmith
I wasn’t great at calculations. Words and expression were my strengths.
For Cedric, language was a natural home. He thrived on clarity, reflection, and the power of well-chosen words. Though numbers weren’t his thing, his writing and critical thinking helped him stand out—just as they help his students today.
The Clever Classic
I was fabulous. No, but seriously—I was a planner with snacks hidden under the desk.
Enrico paired structure with style, discipline with dry humour. He planned ahead, studied smart, and delivered results—often with a wink. He now shows students that success isn’t just about strategy, but also about showing up as your full self.
The Unapologetic Nerd
Definitely a nerd, but I didn’t mind!
Siti embraced her love of learning with quiet confidence. Curious and committed, she took on every subject with equal enthusiasm. Her goal wasn’t perfection—it was progress. That same energy now drives the way she empowers students to learn with pride.
The Academic Architect
I planned my time well. I was diligent with paper and pen.
Lyn built her academic world with structure, clarity, and forward-thinking. She found peace in planning and progress in precision. Her calm, consistent energy now helps students find their rhythm, especially when the pressure rises.
The Anchor
Do your best but remember to enjoy. Mistakes are not the end of the world.
Quietly committed and self-disciplined, Mitch was a serious student who held herself to high standards. She studied in complete silence, stuck to structure, and learned to balance her inner drive with perspective over time. Now, she helps students navigate with steady, grounded guidance—just like she once needed.
Subjects They Struggled With (and How They Faced Them)
Not every subject came easy, even for our tutors. What mattered most wasn’t avoiding difficulty—it was learning how to approach it with resilience, strategy, and a willingness to ask for help.
Calculus
“Calculus. I can’t seem to do derivatives and integrals—no matter how many times I tried.”
– Mitch (The Anchor)
Biology
“Biology. I wasn’t great at memorising biological definitions, which made me panic during lessons.”
– Hanyu (The Spirited Scholar)
Mathematics
“Math. Doing math felt so restraining,”
– Lyn (The Academic Architect)
No Hate. Just Love.
“None, really. I found ways to be okay with all of them.”
– Siti (The Unapologetic Nerd)
Study Setups – Sound On vs. Sound Off
🔇 Sound Off: The Silence Seekers
As students, these tutors needed calm, quiet, and full control over their environment to think clearly.
“Desk only. Total silence. That’s how I could focus.”
– Mitch (The Anchor)
“I had snacks under the table while studying. Strategically placed motivation.”
– Enrico (The Clever Classic)
“Desk. No music on.”
– Jining (The Perfectionist)
“Desk, pen, and paper—no distractions, no fuss.”
– Lyn (The Academic Architect)
“Kitchen table. Basic, but effective.”
– Siti (The Unapologetic Nerd)
Every learner has a rhythm—and for many, it starts with sound. Some of our tutors needed total silence to focus. Others thrived with background noise, music, or study sessions with friends. Here’s how our team used to study when they were kids:
🎧 Sound On: The Background Thinkers
These tutors welcomed a bit of sound—or even company—as they studied. For them, focus wasn’t about shutting out the world, but studying within it.
“A desk, a cup of coffee, and a mystery podcast in the background.”
– Cedric (The Wordsmith)
“At the desk with my friends studying (and sometimes making jokes).”
– Hanyu (The Spirited Scholar)
😱 Exam Disasters & Comeback Moments
Even the most capable students have rough days—and unforgettable ones. Our tutors shared some of the moments that tested them… and what they learned from those turning points.
“I barely passed a geography test because I reviewed the wrong material.”
– Hanyu (The Spirited Scholar)
There was this exam I had where I was so confident I was going to ace. But because I didn’t carefully read the questions, I lost a significant amount of marks!
– Mitch (The Anchor)
“I broke down during a Biology exam because I blanked out on a key question.”
– Enrico (The Clever Classic)
These stories remind us that growth often comes from the hardest moments—and that no student is defined by a single test.
And yet, each of them also shared moments of pride:
“I topped my whole town in a secondary school science exam.”
– Hanyu (The Spirited Scholar)
“My parents joined me on stage as I received the Most Outstanding Student award—it was surreal.”
– Enrico
“I won a global math competition. That was a defining moment.”
– Jining (The Perfectionist)
💬 Advice They’d Give Their Younger Selves
If they could go back and speak to the teenage versions of themselves, here’s what our tutors would say—simple, real, and rooted in experience
“Anything is possible to learn if you put your mind into it.”
– Siti (The Unapologetic Nerd)
“If it can be helped, spread your study sessions. Don’t pile everything the night before.”
– Cedric (The Wordsmith)
“Learning isn’t linear. And motivation comes from more than fear—it comes from purpose.”
– Mitch (The Anchor)
“The world is full of fascinating things to learn. Stay curious, and keep going.”
– Jining (The Perfectionist)
“Dear younger me: You don’t have to come in first to feel proud. Second place still means you beat literally everyone who didn’t show up. And let’s be honest—bronze is just fancy third. Aim for the podium, not the panic.”
– Enrico (The Clever Classic)
“Keep it cool. Time knows no mercy—use it wisely.”
– Lyn (The Academic Architect)
“Sleep is not optional. It’s your brain’s version of a software update.”
– Hanyu (The Spirited Scholar)
🎬 If Their School Life Were a Movie…
If they could go back and speak to the teenage versions of themselves, here’s what our tutors would say—simple, real, and rooted in experience
The Curious Case of the Crazy Nut
Starring: Ms Lyn (The Academic Architect)
Structured on the outside, chaotic on the inside. A light academic mystery with sharp dialogue and deep focus.
Craving the Unknown
Starring: Mr Jining (The Perfectionist)
A slow-burn intellectual thriller—always searching for answers, pushing past the expected.
My Boring and Stressed Life
Starring: Ms Siti (The Unapologetic Nerd)
A raw, relatable indie film about overthinking, overachieving, and learning to breathe.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Starring: Mr Enrico (The Clever Classic)
Quiet brilliance, unexpected spotlight moments, and plenty of behind-the-scenes strategy. A modern classic.
Sleepy with a Chance of Instant Noodles
Starring: Mr Cedric (The Wordsmith)
A charming dramedy about caffeine-fueled essays, midnight thoughts, and literary comebacks.
Cramming, Crushes, and Chaos
Starring: Mr Hanyu (The Spirited Scholar)
A teen study-life romcom—part science, part social, always endearing.
Notes & Glances: Passing notes and exchanging glances
Starring: Ms Michelle ‘Mitch’ (The Anchor)
Quiet discipline with a subplot of classroom whispers. A study-heavy coming-of-age film… with an emotional undercurrent.
🎥 Roll Credits: Every Student Has a Story
From plot twists to personal breakthroughs, every tutor’s school experience shaped who they are today. And like any good movie, the best part isn’t perfection—it’s the character development.
With the right mindset, the right support, and a little self-discovery, they made it through—and are now walking that path with others.
At Mindlab, we believe every student deserves a guide who gets it. And these are the people who do.
