By Mary Leong
Get acquainted with campus and community during class, with the Arts Peer Mentors program
Arts Peer Mentors redefine the three Rs to: resource, role model, and representative. Arts Peer Mentors, an academic-based peer program for students enrolled in ASTU 150 and Co-ordinated Arts Program (CAP), helps students explore the academic opportunities at UBC and their degree with intention. “Learning happens always and everywhere,” said Tracey Rollins, Student Development Officer for the Faculty of Arts—ASTU 150 gives students the tools to engage in learning both in, and out, of the classroom.
Senior students act as peer mentors to help students find out about resources, transition from passive to active learning, adjust to a new system, and succeed at university life, which includes more than just course work. “This program is about transitioning students into the academic community in the Faculty of Arts,” said Courtney McDonald, program coordinator, “and to introduce students to discipline- and campus-specific resources.”
A peer mentor is assigned to one ASTU 150 class each term, or one CAP class, where they will present workshops and host events, as well as interact with students online. “The majority of people enrolled in ASTU 150 are first-year students, who will be exposed to the research culture at UBC,” said Courtney. “In ASTU 150, we learned how to properly research and write for university,” said peer mentor Esteban, “an invaluable skill.”
According to Courtney, many students don’t realize they’re struggling through transition until it’s too late. Arts Peer Mentors responds the challenges many students face by fostering a small learning community that provides them with essential Arts resources, role models, and representatives–the three Rs to a successful and satisfying university experience.
