About Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) and Peer Mentors

Peer Assisted Learning

The University Library harnesses the power of peer learning by training academically strong upper-year students to provide academic support. Through Peer Assisted Learning (PAL), we meet the needs of students as they transition into and through university-level learning, and support them as they engage in the many facets of academic life.

The philosophy of PAL is to provide positive, safe, and comfortable learning environments that encourage, support and empower students in their academic pursuits.

Peer Assisted Learning training prepares Peer Mentors to deliver programming in Academic Skills, Grad Help, Learning Communities or Structured Study Sessions.

Who Are Peer Mentors?

  • Upper-year students trained in Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) who offer mentorship to students to develop their skills for university success.
  • Students who strive to
    • be good leaders and role-models;
    • adapt to their mentees’ unique learning styles, backgrounds, and perspectives; and
    • exercise patience, offer encouragement, and use empathy.

Why Be a Peer Mentor?

  • Receive training in leadership and facilitation prior to and throughout the term through Peer Assisted Learning;
  • Peer Assisted Learning training will prepare you to deliver Library programming in Academic Skills, Grad Help, Learning Communities or Structured Study Sessions.
  • An honorarium and an entry on your Co-Curricular Record;
  • Improved leadership, mentorship, and presentation skills;
  • An opportunity to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills outside the classroom; and
  • A strengthened sense of campus community and connectedness.

co-curricular record logo

Qualifications and Requirements

What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a Peer Mentor?

  • Registered as a USask student taking one or more courses;
  • A strong academic performance for your program;
  • A willingness to help other students learn;
  • Well-developed verbal and written communication skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; and
  • Availability during the term.

We consider the following to be assets:

  • Leadership experience
  • Broad academic interests
  • Public speaking experience
  • Prior work involving student support
  • Tutoring, mentoring, or teaching experience
  • Additional language(s)

Our Programs

The application deadline for all peer mentor programs was March 3, 2024. Please contact Elana Geller at pal@usask.ca if you have any questions.

Academic Skills Peer Mentors are undergraduate students interested in sharing and reflecting on their own academic experiences to contribute to the success of fellow students.

Academic Skills Peer Mentors will

  • Deliver small group workshops, and/or facilitate study groups (general, not specific to a course or discipline)
  • Support students in core academic skills, such as exam preparation, research, time management, note-taking and presenting.
  • Identify campus resources and make referrals to student supports such as the Writing Centre, Math and Stats Help Centre, Liaison Librarians, Student Wellness Centre, Career Services, Access and Equity Services, and academic advising.
  • Assist in conducting research and developing Academic Skills online resource materials and social media content.

Time Commitment (5 hours/week)

  • Workshops (including research and prep): 2.5 hours
  • Facilitating general study groups: 1 hour
  • Correspondence, reflections, creating resources: 1 hour
  • Ongoing training throughout the term (online and in-person): 2-3 hours per month
  • Peer mentors are expected to be available during the week of August 14-17 to develop (1-2 hours) and deliver (1 hour) of library orientation programming.

Training

  • The staff coordinator for this group will contact successful applicants when this information is available.
  • Training will be online via Canvas. It should take you 12-18 hours to complete. You will be given access starting at the beginning of May. You will be required to meet with other peer mentors for groupwork at different times in the summer, times will be decided upon by mutual agreement within the group.

The application deadline has now passed. 

Grad Help peer mentors are graduate students who reflect on and share their experience of grad school to contribute to their fellow students' academic success.

Grad Help Peer Mentors will

  • Deliver small group workshops and meet with students one-to-one.
  • Identify resources and make referrals.
  • Assist in research and develop resources.

Time Commitment (5 hours/week)

  • Workshops (including research and prep): 2.5 hours
  • One-to-one mentoring: 1 hour
  • Correspondence, reflections, creating resources: .5 hour
  • Special projects: .5 hour
  • Ongoing training throughout the term (online and in-person): 2-3 hours per month
  • Peer mentors are expected to be available during the week of August 14-17 to develop (1-2 hours) and deliver (1 hour) of library orientation programming.

Training

  • The staff coordinator for this group will contact successful applicants when this information is available.
  • Training will be online via Canvas. It should take you 12-18 hours to complete. You will be given access starting in mid-July. You will be required to meet with other peer mentors for groupwork at different times in the summer, times will be decided upon by mutual agreement within the group.

The application deadline has now passed. 

Learning Communities (LC) Peer Mentors are students interested in reflecting on their own transition to university and facilitating sessions with first-year students that can lead to their successful transition to university learning. We are currently looking for Peer Mentors for the following colleges:
 

  • Kinesiology LCs
  • Agriculture and Bioresources LCs

 
Learning Community Peer Mentors will

  • Lead a brief session for first-year students during USask orientation.
  • Work with a partner to plan and facilitate weekly one-hour sessions focused on developing the skills, strategies, and relationships needed for being a successful student.
  • Foster a fun, informative, and supportive environment for first-year LC students.
  • Share stories of their own failures and successes to lead by example.
  • Create opportunities for interaction and collaboration with USask faculty, instructors, and alumni.
  • Fulfill their responsibilities, with support and mentorship from LC and Library staff.

Time Commitment (5 hours/week)

  • Meta-LC Hour (with LC Staff from the Library & LC Peer Mentors): 1 hour every week
  • LC Hour (with LC students & LC Peer Mentors): 1 hour every week
  • Ongoing monthly PAL training (online and in-person): 2 hours/month

*Please note:
1. Learning Communities are only offered in Term 1.
2. Learning Communities peer mentors are required to participate in USask new student orientation.

Training

  • The staff coordinator for this group will contact successful applicants when this information is available.
  • Training will be online via Canvas. It should take you 12-18 hours to complete. You will be given access starting in mid-July. You will be required to meet with other peer mentors for community building activities and groupwork at different times in the summer, times will be decided upon by mutual agreement within the group.
  • Tuesday, September 4, 2024, 1-4:30 pm (tentative date/time).

The application deadline has now passed. 

SSS Peer Mentors are academically strong students (requiring a grade of 85% or above in the course they support) interested in supporting the academic success of students taking one (or more) SSS-supported courses. SSS Peer Mentors draw on their experiences and understanding gained from having taken the SSS course they support and by re-attending course lectures to offer timely and relevant weekly study sessions.

2024-2025 SSS-Courses: we anticipate needing SSS Peer Mentors in Chemistry 112, Physics 115/117 and Biology 120.

SSS Peer Mentors will

  • Learn how to develop and offer a weekly structured study session through training in the model of Supplemental Instruction and local adaptations.
  • Help students to identify important concepts covered during lectures, provide exercises and sample problems for students to solve, and help students consolidate their learning during their weekly study sessions while creating an informal and welcoming, non-judgemental environment.
  • Share their knowledge and experiences of being a successful student and learner with the students they support.

Time Commitment (8-10 hours/week)

  • SSS Program Meeting (SSS Coordinator & SSS Peer Mentors): 1 hour/week
  • Lecture Attendance: 3 hours/week
  • Weekly Structured Study Session: 1.5 hours/week
  • Content preparation & organization: 2-3 hours/week
  • Ongoing monthly PAL training (online and in-person): 2 hours/month

Training

  • The staff coordinator for this group will contact successful applicants when this information is available.
  • We anticipate that SSS training will be a hybrid of online and in-person training. Initial training will be held near the end of April/beginning of May (may be online). And, more concentrated training will be held mid/late August or early September before classes begin (in-person if possible). Some online training will take place during July and August, likely in the form of online asynchronous (complete at your own time) learning modules.

The application deadline has now passed.