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
Rosina
Law
Specialties: Time Management, Organization, Self-MotivationWhat drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?
I want to help share the knowledge I've gained with new students and to help navigate the 1L world!
I never go to class without:
Coffee and organized notes.
My academic “a-ha moment”
Putting things in my own words and thinking about concepts with my own examples.
Esperanza
Business (Education)
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.
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.
Alvia
Science
Specialties: Time Management, Study Skills, Exam PreparationWhat drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?Time Management, Study Skills, Exam Preparation
The mentoring I’ve received from SL 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.
Juliana
Science
Specialties: Study Strategies, Test PreparationWhat drew me to become a Peer Acadenic Coach?
I am so grateful for all of the amazing SL leaders that supported my learning in my first year of university. want to give back to other students by engaging with them and helping them learn, and by providing the same welcoming environment I experienced.
I never sit down to study without:
A water bottle and colourful pens!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Be kind to everyone! You never know what battle a person might be fighting.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
How fast each semester actually goes by!
Manuel
Science (Chemical Biology)
Specialties: Scheduling, Time Management, Study SkillsWhat drew me to become a SL Leader and 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.
Michelle
Arts (Philosophy), Graduate Studies
Specialties: Time Management, OrganizationI never go to class without:
Water!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Anything is possible. You just have to want it enough.
I didn’t think I needed extra support until:
I tried SL and enjoyed the experience so much. Studying can get tedious. Having a place where developing skills to be successful is enjoyable is invaluable.
What drew me to become an SL leader, and now a PAC coach?
SL 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.
My best or most memorable moment as a peer leader…
A classmate that I hadn’t felt comfortable with showed up for an SL Session. We ended up working together on the material over the course of the semester, and by the end of the term, I realized we had become friends and that learning with others made studying fun and memorable.
Loghan
Arts (Psychology, Sociology)
Specialties: Study Skills, Time Management, PriortizationWhat drew me to become an SL leader and a PAC coach?
I appreciate a flexible and supportive study environment. At first, the idea of meeting and studying with peers in a fun yet focused way made me really interested in being part of SL.
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.
Andrew
Arts
Specialties: Time Management, Study Skills, PrioritizationWhat drew me to become an SL leader and a PAC 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.
Maggie
Arts and Sciences (Technical Theatre/Biology)
Specialties: Big Picture Views, Study Skills, Test PreparationI never sit down to study without…
my Pilot G-Tec C4 pen. They don’t sell them in the stores around Kamloops so I have to order them special online.
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.
What drew me to being a PAC 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!
