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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

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
    Rosina

    Law
    Specialties: Time Management, Organization, Self-Motivation

    Learn more about Rosina

    What 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.

  • Anna Vieira
    Anna

    Accounting
    Specialties: Time Management, Study Skills

    Learn more about Anna

    What drew me to become a Peer Academic Coach?

    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!

    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.

  • Esperanza
    Esperanza

    Business (Education)
    Specialties: Study Skills, Time Management, Balancing Spanish and English

    Learn more about Esperanza

    What 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
    Olivia

    Science (CMMB focus), Graduate Studies
    Specialties: Organization, Time Management

    Learn more about Olivia

    What 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
    Alivia

    Science
    Specialties: Time Management, Study Skills, Exam Preparation

    Learn more about Alivia

    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.

  • Juliana
    Juliana

    Science
    Specialties: Study Strategies, Test Preparation

    Learn more about Juliana

    What drew me to become a Peer Acadenic Coach?

    I am so grateful for all of the amazing leaders that supported my learning in my first year of university and wanted to give back to other students by engaging with them and helping them learn.

    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
    Manuel

    Science (Chemical Biology)
    Specialties: Scheduling, Time Management, Study Skills

    Learn more about Manuel

    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.

  • Michelle
    Michelle

    Arts (Philosophy), Graduate Studies
    Specialties: Time Management, Organization

    Learn more about Michelle

    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.

     

  • Loghan
    Loghan

    Arts (Psychology, Sociology)
    Specialties: Study Skills, Time Management, Priortization

    Learn more about Loghan

    What 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.

  • Andrew
    Andrew

    Arts
    Specialties: Time Management, Study Skills, Prioritization

    Learn more about Andrew

    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.

  • Maggie Jones 2
    Maggie

    Arts and Sciences (Technical Theatre/Biology)
    Specialties: Big Picture Views, Study Skills, Test Preparation

    Learn more about Maggie

    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.

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