Skip to main content

First-Year Peer Academic Coaching

First-Year Peer Academic Coaches offer peer-to-peer support to help you navigate the transition to university. Our coaching team is made up of successful senior students that want to help you get off to a good start. Connect with a coach to help you build a study schedule, discuss note-taking methods, learn effective study strategies and more.

First-Year Peer Academic Coaches are assigned to each LOCUS and Residence community. 

Coaches are available for:

 

One-on-one Appointments

  • First year students can meet one-on-one with a coach for a 25-minute check-in appointment
  • Go to the Student Success Portal to book a First-Year Peer Academic Coaching appointment
  • Topics to chat about may include how to: create a useful schedule, reduce procrastination, read digital text effectively, take meaningful notes, study for exams or whatever questions are on your mind! 

Connect with your coach when…

  • You are feeling overwhelmed.
  • You’re looking for study strategies and advice on how to succeed academically.
  • You need some extra help managing your schedule.
  • You want to chat with a senior student about life as a university student or to discover opportunities to get involved or volunteer in the Laurier community.

 

Workshops

Jump Start your Semester!

New term, fresh start! Join us to chat about how to review your Fall term grades, determine your program requirements, and create academic goals that will help keep you accountable this term. We’ll also share some academic supports and resources that you can utilize to help you achieve your goals. We’ll save plenty of time during the session for an open Q & A as well to ensure that you get your questions answered!

  • Friday, January 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. on Zoom
  • Monday, January 16 from 3 to 4 p.m. on Zoom

 

Peer Academic Coaching Session (PACS) Program

Winter term only

The PACS program is designed for first-year students to connect frequently with a senior peer academic coach and fellow first-year students to develop strong academic skills to succeed in university. Strategies and topics covered include time management, note taking, effective reading, test-taking, motivation, avoiding procrastination, and preparing for exams. PACS provides support through:

  • Weekly, small-group peer academic coaching sessions (PACS)
  • Connecting you to peers in your faculty and in the broader Laurier community
  • Individual academic coaching appointments with a first-year peer academic coach
  • Accountability and connecting frequently to discuss academic success 
  • Laurier Experience Record eligibility 
  • And much more!

Winter 2023 PACS registration is now open and will close on January 15! First-year, undergraduate students on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses are eligible to enrol in PACS. Students in the PACS program commit to attending weekly 80-minute sessions with their peer academic coach and small-group for the winter semester. Any questions can be directed to laurier101@wlu.ca.