Peer Academic Coaching
Not sure how to juggle all the deadlines ahead? Are you thinking you might make better use of your study time? Want some tips for tackling tests?
Peer Academic Coaches (PAC), a collaboration between Supplemental Learning and the Writing Centre, offers students the opportunity to have a one-to-one session with another student who has both experienced success and also has an awareness of what it’s like to struggle academically.
Experienced SL Leaders or Tutors can provide students with individualized strategies and resources on a range of academic challenges for a variety of disciplines.
Peer Academic Coaches can offer support with time management, goal-setting, study strategies, giving presentations, note-taking, test-taking and dealing with exam anxiety.
How to book
Appointments may be booked through the website on the Peer Academic Coaches schedule, or visit the Writing Centre to get help with booking an appointment.
Where
Sessions will typically take place in the Writing Centre (OM 1411) or online.
Sessions
Students are invited to book a 45-minute session with a Peer Academic Coach, four times per semester. For additional support, the Coaches are knowledgeable about other student services, and may connect students to resources such as STSS courses, Counselling, Accessibility Services, Writing or Math Help Centres.
Meet the Coaches
Manuel
Science
Specialties: Scheduling, Time Management, Study Skills
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I enjoy meeting, talking and engaging with new people, and have always had a desire to help those around me. By becoming a Peer Academic Coach, I’ll be able to help my peers succeed in areas in which I am interested and knowledgeable.
I never sit down to study without:
Plenty of snacks, headphones, and a bright space.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” -Albert Einstein
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
There is no competition for the highest grade in a class. It’s important to work alongside your peers to progress and fulfill your academic goals together in a positive environment.
Olivia
Science (CMMB focus), Graduate Studies
Specialties: Organization, Time ManagementWhat drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I became an SL Leader because I enjoy interactive learning, and I know I have the capacity to help my peers succeed.
I never sit down to study without:
Sticky notes, a coffee, and music.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Don’t let a bad five minutes become a bad day.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
I wish I’d realized that the other first years were just as nervous as I was; no one else knew exactly what they were doing either.
Paige
Science (Math & Physics)
Specialties: Exam Preparation, Study Skills, Organization
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
As a new student, advice and support from leaders and other students had a great impact on my success, so I wanted to be part of helping others overcome challenges in the same way.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Don’t let the fear of doing something stop you from trying. The anticipation is almost always worse than the task itself.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
Not everyone adapts to university in the same way. What works for others might not work for you, and you’ll probably have to try out different strategies before you find what fits.
Alivia
Chemistry
Specialties: Time Management, Study Skills, Exam Preparation
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
The mentoring I’ve received from leaders was really helpful to my success at school. I can relate to someone having challenges with courses and I thought being a Peer Academic Coach would be a good way to help others struggling.
I never go to class without:
Being prepared with any assignments or readings given prior.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Even though sometimes you feel like you’re struggling, never give up on something that’s really important to you.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
Never be afraid to ask for help. Others are there to help you succeed and there’s so much support available at TRU if you are struggling.
Hasumi
Chemistry & Biology
Goal-setting, Time Management, and Note-taking
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I hope to use my experience as a student to inspire and guide students in ways that cover a broader spectrum of disciplines.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
You are your own greatest enemy to overcome.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
University is the stage to try new things and meet new people, so don't shy away from leaping towards novel experiences!
Disha
Arts & Science
Specialties: Battling Procrastination, Study & Memorization skills, Exam Preparation & Post-Exam Self-Correction StrategiesWhat drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
As an international student just starting university in a new country, I was looking for every resource offered by the university that would help me work through my courses. So, when I discovered Supplemental Learning & Peer Academic Coaching to be extremely helpful, I was intrigued to be a part of the team of student leaders who were guiding their peers!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
to just start. Everything seems complicated and difficult from the outside but once we start a project, be it anything, it gets much easier. This also helps battle procrastination. “Just start and the rest will come to you by itself!"
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
I wish someone had told me that it is not as difficult as it seems. Professors, classmates, and others are all there to support us and to help us have a good university experience. During my first semester here, I felt quite overwhelmed and unsure if I would be able to do well in disciplines I hadn’t ever studied before. But my friends, professors and all the resources on campus made me feel confident quite fast (plus, the library is extremely helpful, especially for arts students)!
Maggie
Arts and Sciences (Technical Theatre/Biology)
Specialties: Big Picture Views, Study Skills, Test Preparation
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I was drawn to be a PAC because I love working through challenges in SL and I'm super excited to apply those skills in a different context with a more varied group of people!
I never sit down to study without:
My Pilot G-Tec C4 pen.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
To try what I’m interested in, because I’ll never be too old to start over.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
How important finding profs who were passionate about what (and how) they taught would be, and how important it is to actually take notes in lecture.
Loghan
Arts (Psychology, Sociology)
Specialties: Study Skills, Time Management, PriortizationWhat drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I appreciate a flexible and supportive study environment. The idea of meeting and studying with peers in a fun yet focused way made me really interested.
I never sit down to study without:
Some kind of timer! I lose focus after about half an hour. If I don’t have a timer to remind me to take short breaks I keep studying, but with a lot less focus.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Make time in your day to do something unrelated to school or work.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
How useful and important office hours are! In my first year I didn’t take advantage of these opportunities to meet with faculty one on one. Now, if I’m struggling with a concept or unsure that I’m doing an assignment correctly, I prepare a few questions and go meet with my prof. I also wish I knew about ESTR’s Market on my first day! The food is amazing and the people are great!
My academic “a-ha moment”:
Drawing my own diagrams or visual representations for key information changed studying for me. It’s much easier for me to recall images rather than text. Once I figured this out, I became a lot less anxious about studying because I had a strategy I knew worked for me.
Michelle
Arts (Philosophy), Graduate Studies
Specialties: Time Management, Organization, Big Picture Views
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
Peer Academic sessions helped me so much, not just with the class I was taking, but with general studying, that I wanted to be part of sharing that experience with others.
I never go to class without:
Water!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Anything is possible. You just have to want it enough.
Olivia
Science and SOBE (Economics /Mathematics)
Specialties: Research Skills, Managing Test Stress, Public Speaking and Presentations.
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
In my time at TRU, I've been really lucky to have mentors who helped me through challenges and provided vital guidance when I felt lost. I hope to help other students work through their goals and to balance school and life.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Take your life seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
Take advantage of as many campus supports and events as you can. There's a lot of help available on your academic journey if you take the first step and reach out!
Esperanza
Business (Accounting)
Specialties: Study Skills, Time Management, Balancing Spanish and EnglishWhat drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
Attending SL sessions showed me the positive impact that studying collaboratively can have. I became an SL leader to help create an environment that promotes collaboration and helps other students succeed.
I never go to class without:
Previously reading about the content that will be viewed in class. Going to class with an understanding of what the professor will lecture on and with specific questions of that content makes the learning more efficient.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
The key to success is consistency.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
The most important skills to have in university are time management and organization. These help us to balance life and avoid stressful situations.
My academic “a-ha moment”:
I mostly struggled with learning the terminology in Accounting. I realized that making flashcards and practicing with them can be really helpful.
Niharika
Business (Accounting - SOBE)
Specialties: Exam preparation, Scheduling, Listener and Supporter (non-judgmental)What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I find fulfillment in guiding and supporting my peers through their academic challenges. Being an SL leader provided me an opportunity to develop my skills and this background naturally drew me to the role of a PAC, where I can continue to make a positive impact.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Make consistent efforts toward your dreams. Even the smallest steps add up over time, eventually coming together to fulfill your wishes.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
Semesters pass more quickly than we anticipate.
Andrew
Philosophy
Specialties: Time Management, Study Skills, Prioritization
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
As someone who as struggled as a student, the opportunity to help other students is extremely gratifying!
I never go to class without:
My iPad!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts." – Marcus Aurelius
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
How many different support avenues TRU provides!
My academic “a-ha moment”:
There are many different effective ways to study, it’s a matter of consistently applying yourself and trying out what works for you.
Tionna
Social Work & Arts Specialties: time management, mindfulness, prioritization
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
: I love the idea of using the knowledge I have gained over my four years in university to help others work through whatever challenges their university journey may bring them.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
University is a time to meet new people and try new things. TRU has so many great supports to make your learning journey enjoyable, don’t be scared to reach out!
