College students are involved in a lot of activities. Intramural and intercollegiate sports, jobs and internships, volunteering, organizations and other extracurricular events take up much of their time. And of course, they still need to study.
Thanks to the Residential Peer Mentor Program, study help is free and readily available.
The program, in its second year, comprises five student residential peer mentors, or RPMs, working in Robert S. Brookings and Wayman Crow residential colleges in the South 40. The primary role of the RPMs is to provide resources to help create a successful academic community in the South 40.
“The Residential Peer Mentor Program focuses academics and academic support directly in the residence halls where students live and creates easy access to resources for students,” said Jill A. Stratton, assistant dean of students and associate director of the Office of Residential Life. “This collaborative program with residential life and Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning has been a great asset for promoting student success and implementing academic resources within the fabric of where students live.”
Mentors, who receive a small stipend for their efforts, must understand course concepts, be able to articulate these core ideas clearly to others, communicate well in groups and in one-on-one situations, foster critical-thinking skills and model intellectual life and curiosity.
RPMs are also expected to create and maintain office hours, encourage group formats for both workshops and work sessions, and participate in the activities of the residential college, including staff meetings and college council events.
Senior Chris Starr is in his second year as an RPM in Lien House. He said several students have taken advantage of the service and that many students living in residential colleges without peer mentors wish they had similar academic support.
“Now that Cornerstone has begun to emphasize group learning in workshops and study sessions, everyone involved in the program is better able to learn from fellow students and mentors, as well as to gain experience by teaching others,” he said.
“This method of instruction provides valuable training for students planning to enter the business world or graduate school, places where teamwork and communication skills are necessary to achieve success.”
Stratton said the eventual goal is to have peer mentors in every residential college.
Junior Lindsey Brodell said it is an honor to serve as an RPM because of the satisfaction the job provides when she sees the achievements of those she mentors.
“‘To teach is to learn a thousand times’ sums up my experience thus far as an academic mentor,” Brodell said. “I have been able to deepen my understanding of the classes I mentor, especially general chemistry, which is the foundation for all science classes students take after freshman year.
“I feel grateful that I can give back to a program that was so advantageous for me as a sophomore.”
For more information on the program, go online to cornerstone.wustl.edu/acadmentoring.htm or call Stratton at 935-7576.