Sophie F. is a Pepperdine senior studying international studies and a PCH tutor specializing in AP and European history. Originally from Arkansas, she’s embraced the SoCal culture and, when she’s not passionately doling out anecdotes from history to her students, Sophie enjoys learning to surf, hanging with her girlfriends, and travel, travel, travel.
What are you studying and when do you plan to graduate?
I am an international studies major and I plan to graduate this April but I do not have plans for after graduation yet. I do want to move out of the country for a couple years - possibly somewhere in Europe because I study French.
How did you end up all the way at Pepperdine from Arkansas?
I toured it and fell in love with it. I love that it gives me the opportunity for both an education and spiritual growth. And the international studies major is great.
How did you choose your field of study?
I have always loved learning about other cultures and about people in general around the world. I have always loved traveling as well, so combining those passions with academic studies was appealing. Career-wise, eventually I think I’d like to go the diplomacy or nonprofit route. One of my favorite classes is my international relations class because we talk about current problems in different areas of the world and analyze how we can help - or not help - create solutions for those problems.
Why did you start tutoring?
I started tutoring because a friend reached out and asked if I could do AP European history. I took that class in high school and really enjoyed it. We also have to take classes at Pepperdine that go through centuries of history, so having recently gone through some of those classes I felt I could really help out students studying similar material.
What inspires you as a tutor?
Seeing when things click with students inspires me, especially because personally I really enjoy history. Getting to share different stories and speak passionately about history, then see students engage in it as well, is great.
Any tutoring success stories?
Specifically, I saw improvement in writing capabilities through working with a few of the girls I tutor this year which was awesome.
What is something one of your tutors or mentors taught you that you’ve found to be invaluable advice?
Never be afraid to ask for help. I’ve learned that through establishing good relationships with teachers and professors and educators. Through having those relationships I’ve been able to really learn more comprehensively and not be afraid of the material.
What’s your advice to students?
It may sound cliche, but I think time management is really important. There are quite a few times when I am tutoring and just think back to being in high school, realizing that high school is a time when you should be learning on all that: how to manage priorities and start things ahead of time.
What do you do for fun?
I love hanging out with my girlfriends, and I’m in a surf class - it’s been fun getting into that while living here. It’s fun to challenge myself to do something new. I also like to do yoga and watch movies, but I don’t have a favorite film because it’s hard to have a favorite of anything!
