Advising & Exercising

Before I forget: I’m so excited to see the Peer Advisors’ blog is live! This is my second summer as a PA myself, and it’s been one of my most rewarding experiences in college so far. And of course, I totally approve of the ampersand love in their first post. Just look at any of my previous blog titles for proof—I’m obsessed.

Their page does a good job explaining what Peer Advising aims to do, but I wanted talk in a little bit more detail about what the program means to me. So over the summer, I guide a group of incoming new students—freshmen or transfers—through Tribe Studies and College Studies. (I’m sure the PA blog will cover these programs in more detail!) These courses are available on Blackboard in early July, and include a variety of assignments that help the academic side of Going to College make sense. A week or two before these courses open, I introduce myself through email to my entire group, and as the deadlines approach, I send out more group reminders.

For the most part, though, Peer Advising is a one-on-one effort. Some students complete every assignment within a few hours; some wait until the literal last minute. (To any incoming transfers or freshmen who want to try their luck and submit assignments at 11:59:59: please just don’t. If you don’t complete the course by the deadline, you can’t register for classes!) I keep track of who has completed which assignments, but more importantly, I see where each student is struggling.

For example, one of the exercises in Tribe Studies asks you to write an email to a professor. That’s College 101. You can’t really ask for an override into a class, or clarify a lecture, or connect your major to internship opportunities, if you can’t communicate over email. But this was a challenging assignment for tons of students. The biggest issue? Taking too long to get to the point: I want to talk about research opportunities for freshmen in your lab. Or, I am considering a self-designed major, and have some questions about registration. A piece of advice, if I may: don’t bury these sentences at the bottom of an email!

When the summer is over, the Peer Advising program is just getting started. During Orientation, I get to help students pick their first-semester schedules. Last year, I talked to the same group of students that I advised all summer, as well as a hall of freshman Monroe Scholars. This was, hands-down, my favorite part of the process. The transfers had such specific questions about policy and professors—these students decided to transfer to W&M for a reason and wanted to make every credit count—and the Monroes just cracked me up. I hung out with them for an hour longer than I had planned, just sharing what I wish I had known about academics before my first semester. That’s ultimately the point. It’s not just Advising, it’s Peer Advising. It’s an honor to be the first point of contact between new students and the wild world of W&M academics, and I’m so excited for another round this summer.

Whew! That was a long explanation. But trust me, this program is worth it.

Speaking of exhausting efforts, I’ve already been to the gym three times since moving in! For me, this is monumental. While I take mental health very seriously, I have neglected my physical health this past year and in between classes, clubs, and sleep, almost never made it to the Rec, as students call it. Now, I feel so much more awake all the time, and I might even take the plunge and buy a pass for unlimited access to group classes this summer, fall, and spring. (Just look at the Rec’s group classes (pdf) — there’s something for everyone!) Even if I don’t end up buying a pass, though, the Rec facilities are free with a student ID, which is an amazing resource.

I’ll admit, frozen burritos were 61 cents at Food Lion yesterday, and I stocked up (who wouldn’t?). Still, this summer is on track to be my healthiest ever. I’ll keep you all posted for sure! And again, keep an eye on the Peer Advising blog–definitely some great posts coming up there!