Milo (left), and Abby (second from left), work as Peer Leaders at Renison.
By Cort Egan, Director, External Relations and Communications
When asked to describe Renison in one word, Abby and Milo, both Renison Peer Leaders, answered almost in tandem: Home! Friends since year 1 and currently roommates, it perhaps should come as no surprise that their views on Renison are so aligned.
Abby and Milo first met three years ago when they arrived at Renison as freshmen in the Social Development Studies program. Milo is self-described as an introvert while Abby would best be described as an extrovert, but that’s where the differences end. Abby and Milo are both SDS (Social Development Studies) students, destined for a career in social work. They have chosen a career anchored in helping others; little wonder they also want to help and support their fellow students.
Peer Leaders are upper year students who help to guide students, mostly lower year students but not exclusively, through their journey as university students. They act as a support system that keeps an eye out for students who appear to be struggling or need a person to talk to. Abby and Milo are perfect for this role. “Students feel comfortable talking to us because we’re also students facing similar challenges and struggles,” explains Abby. “They can see themselves in us.”
Milo is an SDS peer leader while Abby is a Residence Experience peer leader. As an SDS peer leader, not only does Milo offer care through listening and support through providing coping strategies, they also help to organize study sessions as exam periods draw near. This type of engagement in particular helps junior year students develop good study habits and better understand how to prepare for midterms and finals. But it’s not all academics; Milo also helps to run events.
They love crafting and find that it helps to relieve stress. “Nothing relieves stress like a cup of warm tea and colouring or having fun with clay magnets or shrinkydinks.” These are important lessons for other students to learn – sometimes, you need to forget about academics and de-stress with some fun activities.
The role of residence experience peer leader is slightly different. Abby helps to organize and oversee events for student residents. She works very closely with Renisix, Renison’s residence student committee, and sits on the Board of Governors as a student representative. Renisix is a very active group on campus; Abby is involved in running movie events, karaoke nights, Christmas and Halloween events and the end of term formal dinner known as Wind Out.
Both Abby and Milo see first-hand the rewards of their efforts. Not only are fellow students coming to them to discuss their concerns, fears and challenges, but they are also seeing Renison changing to better meet the needs of students. “It’s so rewarding to see that when we make recommendations, change happens,” said Milo. “The Link Inclusion Lounge is a perfect example. We asked for a comfortable space for students to come together, with soft couches and warm lighting – not overhead fluorescents. And the College delivered. That’s a big win.”
Both Milo and Abby want to encourage other students to consider becoming peer leaders;“don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You don’t have to be perfect. Student leadership opportunities show other students that we are all human. We all make mistakes. We learn and move on.” Words to live by.