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Frequently Asked Questions about the Peer Academic Consultant (PAC) Program

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What do Peer Academic Consultants do?

Peer Academic Consultants (PACs) are students trained to help you identify learning strategies to help you become a more effective student both in and outside the classroom. (See below for specific topics we can help with.) Working with a Peer Academic Consultant is flexible and personalized. You can work one-on-one with Peer Academic Consultants to help you improve your academic strategies, make changes to how you approach studying, and get support in implementing new ways of learning. 

What kinds of challenges can Peer Academic Consultants work with you to tackle?

  • Finding school/work/life balance
  • Time management
  • Scheduling, planning, & getting organized (including writing things down!)
  • Mapping out priorities
  • Finding time to balance pauses with productivity
  • Procrastination
  • Exam preparation & anxiety
  • Staying motivated
  • Developing effective study habits
  • Reading & note-taking strategies
  • Holding myself accountable
  • Communicating effectively with advisors/mentors
  • …and more!

What services do the PACs offer?

There are three main ways you can engage with support from the PACs. The first is by scheduling a one-on-one consultation with a PAC online by logging into WCOnline. The second option is to stop in for PAC Drop-in hours. Thirdly, you can participate in one of our Accountability Groups, which take place each week and give you the chance to build community in a mutually supportive environment with other students while making progress toward your academic goals. Find more Information about Accountability Groups on the Peer Academic Consultants page.

How do I sign up for an individual consultation with a Peer Academic Consultant?

You can schedule a one-on-one consultation with a PAC online by logging into WCOnline. When filling out the form, please take the opportunity to share any information that you would like our PACs to know about you and your academic goals before the first meeting.

What can I expect from my first consultation with a Peer Academic Consultant?

The LTRC offers individual consultations with Peer Academic Consultants to work on academic skills of your choosing. The first meeting is typically an hour long and is mostly meant to be an introductory meeting where you and your Peer Academic Consultant will get to know each other and talk about your academic goals, interests, and needs. Then you and the PAC will discuss the topic that brought you to the consultation, and explore some possible strategies that might work in your situation and what actions you wish to take. After this first meeting, you can decide whether or not you would like to continue with additional individual consultations. 

Who do I reach out to if I have further questions about the Peer Academic Consultant program?

Feel free to reach out to Alexia Ferracuti (aferracuti@vassar.edu), Director of Inclusive Pedagogy, who oversees the program within the Learning, Teaching, and Research Center (LTRC).