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Peer Academic Coaching

Support for your first year...and beyond

SCAA Peer Academic Coaches (PACs) help first-year students make a smooth transition to CSU East Bay. PACs work with students one-on-one to help navigate academics and get the most out of the college experience. PAC has four pillars of support: Self-Directed Learning, Study Skills, Communication, and Campus Resources & Systems.

  • The number of assignments and commitments you are juggling in college can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to start getting organized! Peer Academic Coaches can help you develop important skills and learn strategies to balance everything you have to keep track of in life within and beyond CSUEB!

    Peer Academic Coaches can:
    • Help you find time management strategies that work for you (this may include calendars, apps, lists, etc.)
    • Show you the process of breaking down big assignments, figure out where to start, take it step by step, and evaluate what to focus on
    • Discuss what it means to navigate asynchronous courses
    • Be a goal thought partner, accountability buddy, motivational strategies supporter, and more!

  • Let us help you study more effectively! Peer Academic Coaches can help you plan and prepare for tests.

    Peer Academic Coaches can:
    • Help you assess your current study skills and habits
    • Share general study tools and how to use them effectively
    • Coach you in note taking, active reading, critical reading, and memory and retrieval practices
    • Assist you in creating a study plan and discussing strategies for reducing test anxiety

  • It can be intimidating to communicate with faculty, staff, and even our peers. You may not know how, when, or what to share when you're struggling.

    Peer Academic Coaches can help you:
    • draft emails
    • make email templates
    • prepare questions for office hours
    • navigate group work
    All of this can help you feel confident advocating for yourself and making strong and lasting connections.

  • When you're feeling stuck, it can be hard to know how to get unstuck. No matter what challenge you’re facing, Peer Academic Coaches can help you find the resources you need on campus, within and beyond the SCAA. Coaches can also help you prepare to ensure you get the most out of your resources and systems.

    Many things happen online these days and campus systems are not always easy to navigate. Maybe you need help figuring out the Canvas platform to upload an assignment or make a discussion post. Maybe you're having a hard time navigating MyCSUEB. Maybe you've never made a PowerPoint for a presentation. Peer Academic Coaches can help you learn the systems you need to use to be a successful student.

Other Skills and Supports

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  • Peer Academic Coaches are placed in courses where first-year students can learn techniques and skills that will help them develop academic confidence, a sense of belonging, and a community of support on campus. Throughout the semester, course-embedded coaches facilitate various activities and connect one-on-one with students. They can serve as a bridge between students and professors. Engaging with a PAC typically helps students apply effective communication skills while navigating campus resources. 

    Currently, PACs are embedded in the following courses:

    • COMM 100 - Public Speaking
    • COMM 104 - Interpersonal Communication
    • BIOL 130 - Connecting to Biology

  • Peer Academic Coaches are not advisors, but during registration windows every semester, coaches can help you search for, review and enroll in the classes that you need. They can show you how to navigate advising and registration platforms and can help you find answers to questions that come up in the process. They can also help you connect with your academic advisor.