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
Disha D.
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)!
Olivia S.
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!
Zoe Dimopoulos
Bachelor of Arts, History Major
Specialties: Time Management, Organization, Self-Reflection/Metacognition
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I've always loved school and learning, and consider myself a pretty organized person. I like finding new tips and tricks on how to stay organized, manage my time, and study efficiently. I know that is tricky for a lot of students and I want to be able to help them succeed. I believe that every student has it in them to become successful, whatever success means to them, with the right guidance and resources.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
That memorizing every little detail of your notes is not important. Seeking out key concepts and vocabulary, then chunking information together and understanding the context of my notes makes studying much easier, and you actually learn so much more that way!
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
While classes and academics are important, you'll get the most out of university if you can find balance. Doing things that bring you happiness and peace outside of classes helps to make the stress of the semester not seem so bad. Taking part of university life, whether that's going to events or taking part in clubs, doing intramurals, or taking on leadership positions helps you make friends and adds variety to your life.
Kate Verdurmen (starting in January)
General Biology
Specialties: Time management, testing skills, efficiency, effective studying skills, life balance.
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
Being a student isn’t always easy, but it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my life. I actually enjoy figuring out new ways to study smarter, not harder, and those habits have carried over into so many other areas. They’ve given me the confidence to say “yes, I can” when new challenges come my way. I love finding ways to make learning more practical and useful in everyday life—and sharing those strategies with others feels just as empowering as using them myself.
I never go to class without:
A physical agenda.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
There is no such thing as failure. The only failure is the failure not to try.
Jadyn Michael
Psychology + Sociology
Specialties: time management, study skills, test stress, scheduling
What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I was drawn to this role as a way to engage with students on a more personal level and help to guide them through struggles that they have been having that I have previously faced.
I never go to class without:
Water or my iPad!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
To just start and break tasks down into more manageable components to make it feel easier to complete.
