Meet the Team
Contact the SL Coordinator
Elizabeth TemplemanE-mail: etempleman@tru.ca
Phone: 250-828-5277 (please leave a message and Elizabeth will get back to you)
Office: OM 2699
Meet the SL Leaders
Interested in becoming an SL Leader? Click here
Adam Toor
BusinessWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
The opportunity to share my knowledge with others.
I never go to class without:
Emergency snacks.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Treat others the same way you want to be treated.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university
How much extra support TRU offers to their students.
My academic “a-ha moment”
I didn’t realize how much SL helped until after I attended my first session.
Anna Vieira
AccountingMy best or most memorable SL moment…
Was when both me and the SL leader showed up on zoom in our pajamas. We both laughed, commiserated about midterm prep and online school for a bit and then got down to studying the material.
What drew me to become an SL leader?
I want to connect with fellow students and keep my knowledge of Financial Accounting sharp.
I never go to class without:
A full water bottle. Even in remote classes, I never sat down to a class without a big glass of water.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university
That everyone else was as nervous as me. Or, they were at least a little nervous!
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I saw the syllabus and the amount of homework questions we’d been assigned. I knew I needed help becoming comfortable with the topics so I could complete my assignments on time.
My academic “a-ha moment”
A bad grade doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. Once I realized that I was able to procrastinate less because the worst (a bad grade) had already happened. When you combine trying hard and a good grade, that’s the most satisfying feeling.
Mackenzie Mertion
BiologyWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
SL gave me confidence in my own ability to study, and was a safe place to ask questions and go over what we had learned that week. I hope to be able to affect someone in the same way, giving them a safe place to gain confidence in the material and ask questions.
I never sit down to study without:
A quiet space, a cup of tea and my favorite pens.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Keep reaching for everything you want in life.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university
Every part of starting University can be overwhelming: meeting new people, being at a new school, even the courses themselves, but being able to take time to adapt, and do what is best for yourself if you are struggling, is very important.
My academic “a-ha moment”
Taking time to exercise, visit friends, and getting lots of sleep is truly helpful to academic performance. It can be easy to overlook these things, but I always find that taking a break clears my mind and allows me to refocus.
Maggie Jones
BiologyWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
I find that learning is a two-way street, and that teaching is the best way to help myself learn! I was excited to turn that into a way to help others.
I 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.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I realized that it was more compatible with my style of learning and helped me get a firmer grasp on the content of my courses.
Olivia McLennan
ChemistryWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
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.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
All of my courses became busy, and SL was a way for me to study efficiently and effectively.
Alivia Mercer
ChemistryWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
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 an SL leader 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.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I began struggling in my courses and found it hard to work things out on my own. Once I started going to SL, I realized how effective it was in helping me understand the material and how I could apply their methods in my own studying.
Juliana Hermiston
ScienceWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
I am so grateful for all of the amazing SL leaders that supported my learning in my first year of university. I thoroughly enjoyed, and benefited from, every session I attended, even if it was only for the retention of one new idea. I 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 go to class/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!
My best or more memorable SL moment...
During one of the first exam reviews of the semester for physics, my professor had ordered pizza for all of us. Physics and pizza… what could be better!
Michelle Raglin
ArtsMy best or most memorable SL moment…
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, during and outside Sessions. At the end of the term, I realized we had become friends and that learning with others made studying fun and memorable.
I never go to class without:
Water!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Anything is possible. You just have to want it enough.
What drew me to become an SL leader?
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.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I tried it and enjoyed the experience so much. Studying can get tedious. Having a place where developing skills to be successful is enjoyable is invaluable.
Andrew Faulds
PhilosophyWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
I found supplemental learning to be extremely helpful during my course, and my leader encouraged me to try it. I also enjoy the opportunity to help others with their education and also learn new things!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Stop comparing yourself to others, and instead compare yourself to the you from yesterday.
My most memorable SL Moment:
I only got the opportunity to take SL during the pandemic so it was all virtual. However, one memorable moment that stands out is when we were studying for an assignment and there were only a few of us but even virtually being in an environment where everyone’s goal was to help each other out—it was a feeling I won’t forget!
My academic “a-ha moment”
When I realized succeeding in academics is more so about the time and effort you’re willing to put in, as opposed to your natural aptitude for learning.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I started SL early on in my courses because it’s a free and easily accessible resource that helps you develop good study habits while also reinforcing the concepts and material from your course. You can never get too much help!
Siobhan Toal
PsychologyWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
I began to realize how effective the SL program was for students of all ages in my third year. The weekly study sessions offered by my SL leader became an anchor for my academic success. As my own subject knowledge expanded, I began watching my peers grow and become more confident as learners. I wanted to develop the tools necessary to help other students progress and fulfill their academic goals.
I never sit down to study without:
A plan for the day. In my agenda, I always write a list of daily tasks that are ranked from most to least important. This keeps my focus on the most urgent assignments at hand, while giving my brain some direction throughout the day. I swear by this technique, and I would recommend it to any student looking to develop their organizational skills.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Was from my parents, and it’s incredibly simple: nothing is permanent. From the perspective of a person dwelling in the short-term, mistakes or failures are devastating. However, change can happen in an instant, and obstacles seem small when the bigger picture is taken into consideration. I try to embody this growth mindset, especially when it comes to university and volleyball. When you perceive outcomes as just outcomes, rather than “good” or “bad”, anything can be overcome.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university
When I arrived at TRU, I had left my hometown and was overwhelmed with the fast pace of university life. The transition from high school was more difficult than I’d anticipated, but I was too shy to approach my professors or peers for assistance. Looking back, I should have utilized TRU’s resources to cope with the common issues of becoming a first year student. To anyone dealing with the ups and downs that university can bring, you are never alone. Programs like SL can integrate you deeper into the TRU community, while simultaneously forwarding your academic career.
My academic “a-ha moment”
When I was in first year, I called my dad in tears to complain about a mark that I’d received on a test. I told him that I had studied thoroughly, and that I didn’t understand why the result was so poor. He listened to me quietly, then spoke the words that would change the way I looked at school. “What don’t you know? You can’t rely on the things that come easy. You have to push yourself to go after whatever it is that you don’t know.” My dad encouraged me to start identifying my blind spots as a student, which was crucial in my journey towards active studying. I began to discover the techniques that shaped me into the student I am today.
Loghan Eskritt
PsychologyWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
I appreciate that SL commits to being a flexible and supportive study environment. 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! During my first year I didn’t take advantage of these opportunities to meet with faculty one on one. Now, if I’m struggling to understand a concept or unsure that I am doing an assignment correctly, I prepare a few questions and go meet with my professor. 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 is 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.
Esperanza Cantu
AccountingEsperanza CantuWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
My best or most memorable SL moment…
When I was preparing for finals, I attended a session where we discussed a concept that I had been struggling to understand, and realized it was actually easy.
What drew me to become an SL leader?
Attending SL sessions showed me the positive impact that studying collaboratively can have. I became an SL leader to help create this 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 practising with them can be really helpful.
Manuel Centeno
BiologyWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
I enjoy meeting, talking and engaging with new people, and have always had a desire to help those around me. By becoming an SL leader, 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 EinsteinWhat 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.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I showed up to an exam review. Thinking I was completely prepared, and realized I still had much more to learn and study. This not only gave me an idea of how to prepare, but also which areas I was weaker at and what to focus on studying.
Hasumi Watanabe Goodwin
ChemistryWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
I hope to absorb better study methods for myself in the process of guiding others to find what works best for them. I also think SL is a great way to connect academically with peers and foster an environment conducive to learning, and learning enthusiastically.
I never go to class without…
My notebook for that class and all my trusty stationary!
Best advice I’ve ever received:
In achieving anything, you are your own greatest obstacle to overcome.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
University is the place for new experiences! Don’t be afraid to take chances and challenge yourself.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I attended an SL session before a midterm and realized where my understanding was lacking. The approaches to the material and the engaging atmosphere were really helpful to my learning, and I was introduced to methods I could use on my own.
Rosina Hamoni
Constitutional LawWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
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
I didn't think I needed SL until:
I wanted a deeper level of understanding and wanted more examples and to help me to predict what an exam question would look like.
My academic “a-ha moment”
Putting things in my own words and thinking about concepts with my own examples
Norman Atakhanov
Constitutional LawMy best or most memorable SL moment was
.. learning how to tackle exam questions!
What drew me to become an SL leader?
Being able to support 1L students in their transition to law school.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Really focus on what your professor says during lectures. Those obscure cases they repeatedly mention might appear on the exam!
What I wish I’d known on the first day of university:
There is absolutely no shame in asking for help.
I didn’t think I needed SL until:
I read my first fact pattern.
Scott Stewart-Lee
Constitutional LawWhat drew me to become an SL leader?
SL was tremendously helpful for me in my first year. I felt completely lost in Constitutional Law, and it was only because of SL sessions that I was able to succeed in the way that I did. I had an extremely helpful experience, and I would like the opportunity to pass that onto incoming students.
I never go to class without:
Water bottle and chapstick.
Best advice I’ve ever received:
Try not to compare yourself to everyone else (easier said than done, I know.) In law school you’ll meet all types of people from all types of backgrounds. Many will be hard-working, intelligent or accomplished. Some are even a combination of all three. It can be easy to feel inadequate, but it’s important to remember that everyone (including you!) is here for a reason. Do the best with what you have and try not to worry about other people.
What I wish I’d known on the first day of law school:
How to actually make CANs (condensed annotated notes.) Everyone does it differently, but I like to put the entire semester’s notes for each class in one single document instead of splitting them up. This will save hours of time amalgamating them at the end of the semester.
My academic “a-ha moment”:
Realizing how important it is to create your own notes and study sheets. Making your own study materials ensures that you fully understand the concepts and makes it easier to convey them on an exam.
