Meet the peer success coaches! Browse the bios below and then book an appointment.
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Ana
MASc student in Developmental and Communication Science
Why are you interested in being a Peer Success Coach?
I enjoy helping people succeed and learn from their academic struggles. I find it incredibly rewarding watching a person grow and further develop their learning skills.
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
An academic skill that I have struggled with in the past is learning to prioritize and balance my time with lectures, assignments, test prep, extracurriculars and other personal priorities to maintain a balanced lifestyle. With lots of work, I've mastered prioritizing tasks and planning my days to be effective.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
My favourite course that I have taken so far is PSYCH257- Psycopathology. I found the content incredibly interesting and learned a lot about the different diagnoses and courses of action for treatment.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Cooking, travelling, playing the piano and fitness.
Deanna
3A Social Development Studies
Why are you interested in being a Peer Success Coach?
I believe that peer support can have a profound and lasting impact on student success and overall wellness.
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
What I struggled with the most was trying to figure out the best way to take notes to meet my study needs. I started off taking too many then overcompensated by not taking enough. Finally I struck a balance by focusing on content I don’t fully comprehend.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
SDS 251R – Social Research Methods unlocked the natural detective/problem-solver/out-of-the-box-thinker in me. I'm fairly sure this course may have changed the trajectory of my future in academia.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I spend much of my spare time volunteering both on campus and in the Waterloo Region. This includes advocacy work, restorative justice practices, public speaking engagements, and of course, peer support. The love of my life is a 60-pound, 1 year-old Sheepadoodle named Camper who insists on being a lap dog. We spend time playing soccer in the backyard and going for strolls around the neighbourhood. I also enjoy spending time with family and my very dearest friends.
Faculty of Engineering
Elizabeth
4A Mechatronics
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
Time management didn't come naturally to me at first. It wasn’t until university that I truly realized its importance. Finding the right strategies took some time, but eventually I discovered what worked best for me. One of the most effective tools I found is a physical calendar. It allows me to see everything laid out clearly and helps me stay organized and on track.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
My favorite course so far has been MTE 380. What I loved about it was that we were given a problem, a budget and the freedom to approach the solution in our own way. It was an opportunity to execute the entire design cycle which was challenging, yet engaging and fun. Being able to compete in friendly competition and see the final project was incredibly rewarding in the end.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love going to the gym, playing with my dog, drawing and playing video games.
Faculty of Environment
Mary
4A Honours Environment, Resources and Sustainability Co-op and Joint Honours Biology
Why are you interested in being a Peer Success Coach?
Originally, I had no idea about this position until I happened to come across an email from my academic advisor. As this was my first ever campus job, what interested me in this position was the nature of the role, since it focuses on student support in a broad range of areas pertaining to time management, note taking, and much more.
As I've been in the role for a while now, I enjoy building rapport with students. Being someone to talk to rather than just an academic support makes it less intimidating and more approachable.
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
Procrastination. When schoolwork, work and personal commitments pile up it gets hard to have time to yourself which can cause procrastination to take over… even when you do manage your time well. For me, procrastination is typically my first sign of burnout.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
My favourite course so far has been ERS 361 Food Systems and Sustainability.
This was the course that led me to discover my passion for agriculture and food systems. After taking this course I completed all my remaining co-op terms in the agri-food sector. Those experiences solidified my determination to pursue a career in the agri-food sector both academically and in the workforce.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
In my free time I like watching shows like Seinfeld.
Faculty of Health
Mujtaba
3B Health Science
Why are you interested in being a Peer Success Coach?
I'm interested in being a 1-1 Peer Success Coach because I'm passionate about helping others achieve their academic goals. Having navigated various challenges myself, I understand the importance of guidance and support. I want to share effective strategies and foster a positive, collaborative environment where students feel empowered to excel. This role aligns with my desire to make a meaningful impact in my community and contribute to the academic success of my peers.
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
I struggled with time management and balancing multiple responsibilities. As a student working five jobs, it was challenging to allocate adequate time for studying while meeting work commitments. Over time, I developed effective time management strategies - such as prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals and utilizing planning tools - that significantly improved my productivity and academic performance.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
My favorite course so far has been neuroanatomy. The intricate details of the nervous system's structure and function fascinate me - especially how it influences behavior and cognition. This course deepened my understanding of the brain's complexities and fueled my passion for pursuing a career in child psychology. The hands-on learning experiences and engaging lectures made it an enriching and memorable academic journey.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Some of my hobbies and interests include volunteering, writing blogs, and exploring new places. I enjoy volunteering at the student food bank as an office executive and at a cardiac care clinic as a patient care coordinator. Additionally, I love spending time with friends and family, engaging in outdoor activities and learning about different cultures and cuisines.
Harsimar
2B Mathematical Finance
Why are you interested in being a Peer Success Coach?
I am passionate about applying my skills to support fellow students in achieving their academic and personal goals. By providing personalized guidance and fostering a positive learning environment, I aim to empower my peers to navigate their university journey with confidence and success.
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
In the past I struggled with time management, especially when balancing my academic responsibilities with studying alongside my peers. Adapting to my friends' study patterns while trying to maintain my own focus was challenging. Additionally, courses like CS 116 and CS 234 presented difficulties, as I didn't have a programming background. This lack of prior experience made it harder to grasp the concepts initially, requiring me to invest extra time and effort to build a strong foundation in programming.
Through these experiences, I learned the importance of developing effective study strategies and managing my time more efficiently.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
My favorite course so far is MATH 135, an algebraic proof-based course that I thoroughly enjoyed. This course allowed me to dive deep into the world of algebraic structures and logical reasoning, providing the perfect platform to apply and enhance my analytical skills.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Some of my hobbies and interests include taking long walks in the park, where I can immerse myself in nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. I also enjoy listening to audiobooks, which allow me to explore new ideas and stories while on the go.
Nic
PhD Pure Math
Why are you interested in being a Peer Success Coach?
I have ample experience supporting students 1-1 as a math tutor, a math department TA, and as a PSC; these have been some of the most valuable and rewarding experiences of my professional career. I deeply enjoy sharing my knowledge and skills with students to help them improve their lives, and getting to know students through their stories and struggles.
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
I have struggled with time management and public speaking in the past. It has been very helpful and rewarding for me to work on these skills with the support of my colleagues and mentors.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
My favourite course so far has been an introduction to complex analysis in the 3rd year of my undergrad degree at Dalhousie in Nova Scotia. It was the perfect balance of surprising, interesting results and challenging problems.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I like to watch movies and TV shows, travel, play with pets – especially dogs – and swim.
Faculty of Science
Ana
BSc Psychology, MASc student in Developmental and Communication Science
Why are you interested in being a Peer Success Coach?
I enjoy helping people succeed and learn from their academic struggles. I find it incredibly rewarding watching a person grow and further develop their learning skills.
What academic/study skill(s) have you struggled with in the past?
An academic skill that I have struggled with in the past is learning to prioritize and balance my time with lectures, assignments, test prep, extracurriculars and other personal priorities to maintain a balanced lifestyle. With lots of work, I've mastered prioritizing tasks and planning my days to be effective.
What is your favourite course that you have taken so far?
My favourite course that I have taken so far is PSYCH257- Psycopathology. I found the content incredibly interesting and learned a lot about the different diagnoses and courses of action for treatment.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Cooking, travelling, playing the piano and fitness.