Reinout Bos studies mathematics and economics. In the first year of his bachelor’s programme he earned a 10 in all his compulsory mathematics courses. He attributes these results to the simple fact that he genuinely enjoys his studies. “I’m motivated, I like putting time into it, and I get a lot of satisfaction from it.”
What he finds most appealing about mathematics is the journey from not understanding something at all to gradually developing intuition. “It’s like fitting together puzzle pieces. The best part is when you start with something that makes no sense, and then you dig into it until it does. That moment when everything falls into place—that’s what I love.”
Reinout enjoys the combination of Mathematics and Economics. “It’s really the best of both worlds. On one side you have the exact, logical reasoning of mathematics; on the other, the less exact, more contextual side of economics. I love that mix.”
Alongside his studies he works as a teaching assistant at the university and provides exam training for high-school students. Helping others grasp difficult concepts gives him visible joy. “I love giving students the feeling that they can do it. Many start out insecure, but when you explain things clearly and think along with them, their confidence grows. They walk away thinking: ‘I can do this now.’ That’s the most rewarding part.”
His strength as a teacher? “I’m close to the perspective of high school students. I’ve learned the same things not long ago, so I know exactly where the difficulties lie. I never teach tricks—I try to build real understanding. When you know what you’re doing, it becomes fun.”
He sees a sharp contrast between high-school mathematics and university mathematics. “In secondary school it’s mostly applying formulas and routine exercises. At university it’s about understanding what you’re doing—the background, the intuition. It’s more a way of thinking than a matter of calculation.”
As for the future, Reinout mainly wants to explore. “I want to discover many areas of mathematics—both theoretical and applied, especially toward economics. I’m planning to do the educational minor, because teaching for a longer period really appeals to me. And beyond that, I just want to find out what I enjoy most.”
He is quick to downplay the idea that his achievements come effortlessly. “People often say: you must just be very smart. But my strength isn’t that I understand everything right away. I study a lot, I practise a lot, and I want to truly understand what I’m doing. Motivation and perseverance take you further than talent alone.”
