Peer Coaching Program
Experience Student Success at CSUN
For many first-time freshman and first-time transfer students, the transition to college or a new institution can present challenges. By working with a peer coach in the Mike Curb College, you will receive consistent support and valuable insights to help you successfully navigate your journey at CSUN.
Sign up today and we will make sure to match you with a peer coach and send an invitation for upcoming program events!
About the Peer Coaching Program
In working with one-on-one with a peer coach, you will have someone that you can depend on to listen, to connect you with campus resources and someone to work with you to develop skills for success in your academic program.
As a program participant/scholar, you will be able to:
- Experience a community of support that helps you successfully acclimate to CSUN
- Learn skills and strategies to adapt to challenges with a strengths-based mindset
- More confidently explore and utilize various campus resources
- Actively build personal and professional networks that will support you in your academic journey
- Develop life-long learning and professional skills key to success in one’s academic program and industry
Please complete the online sign-up form to be matched with a peer coach for the 2024-2025 academic year.
While all first-time freshmen and first-time transfer student(s) are invited to join the program at the start of each academic term, students can sign-up to match with a peer coach at any time throughout the academic year.
All first-time freshmen and first-time transfer students currently enrolled in the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication are strongly encouraged to participate in the peer coaching program. Our goal is to help students successfully transition to the Mike Curb College and more easily navigate their first year at CSUN.
Our goal is for both the peer coach and student to be active participants in the peer coaching process. We recommend keeping a list of questions that arise throughout the semester, resources you might be in search of or topics you would like to discuss with your peer coach. This way you and your peer coach work intentionally towards your individual goal(s) in each meeting.
Students can book peer coaching meetings in 30-minute and 60-minute time-blocks in-person (on-campus) and virtually (Zoom).
Once matched with a scholar, peer coaches are expected to meet with scholars at least 3 times per semester. Students are welcome to meet with their peer coach as frequently as they would like throughout the semester (i.e., weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.).
This program has been designed to allow for flexibility in order to accommodate your busy student schedule. In your first meeting, you and your peer coach will discuss how often you would like to meet and what days/times work best with your semester schedule.
As a continuing student that has found success in their academic journey at CSUN, a peer coach can provide you with helpful insights on many different topics related to your college experience & your academic major. Common topics addressed in peer coaching include, but are not limited to:
- How to plan for a successful semester
- Exploring different campus resources
- How to find a community / get involved at CSUN
- How to communicate with your professor(s)
- Exploration of professional development opportunities in your industry
- Time management and organization skills
- How to find an academic/work/life balance
- Effective study strategies for your learning style(s)
- How to build peer and professional networks
- Finding motivation & overcoming procrastination
- How to integrate healthy habits into your routine
Weekly Drop-in Hours
Peer Coaches are available during in-person and virtual drop-in hours to answer questions and provide helpful insights related to your college experience. No appointment is necessary. Stop by a location near you during any of the days/times listed below.
| Days | Manzanita Hall 240 | Art & Design 100 | Cypress Hall #116 | Virtual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | – | 1 pm – 2 pm | 1 pm – 2 pm |
| Tuesday | – | 10 am – 11 am | – | 3 pm – 4 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am – 12 pm | 2 pm – 3 pm | 3 pm – 4 pm | 3 pm – 4 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am – 11 am | 1 pm – 2 pm | – | 2 pm – 3 pm |
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
See You There! Event Series
Is there a campus event you would like to attend, but you’re not sure who to go with to the event? Meet up with our peer coaching community before an event, enjoy a bite to eat and proceed to the event together.
You are welcome to attend as many events as you would like throughout the academic year. For ticketed events, the first 10 to sign-up will receive free tickets to that event. Ticketed events are noted with an (*) in the list below.
Please RSVP at least two days prior to the event so that we can purchase tickets and food/beverage for attendees in advance.
FAQs
Students can make an appointment to meet with a peer coach in-person (on-campus) and/or virtually (Zoom).
Peer Coaching drop-in hours are also available in-person at various campus locations and online via Zoom. Please see a list of the available weekly drop-in hours on the Peer Coaching Program website.
Once you have officially been matched with a peer coach, you will receive an email and gain access to your peer coach’s scheduling page.
Peer Coaching Drop-in Hours are also available in-person in various campus locations and online via Zoom. Please see a list of the available weekly drop-in hours on the Peer Coaching Program website.
Have a quick question? Looking for an experienced student’s perspective? Are you searching for a resource and not sure where to start? Or maybe just looking to study with some fellow classmates?
Drop-in hours are available to Mike Curb College students throughout the semester with no appointment needed. Students can visit one of the convenient drop-in hours locations(s) on campus during the hours listed on the website.
*Please note: Drop-in hours take place starting the second week of the semester and end on the last day of instruction of the semester.
Our goal is for both the peer coach and student to be active participants in the peer coaching process.
We ask that students bring a list of topics or questions they would like to explore with their peer coach in an upcoming meeting. Here are some additional recommendations from previous students when preparing for an upcoming meeting.
- to minimize distractions during the meeting time (i.e., phone, etc.)
- take advantage of meeting & exploring different campus locations during your meeting
- bring something to take notes with to each meeting
- write down your goal(s) (personal, academic, or professional) and share those with your peer coach
- bring your list of goals to each meeting & discuss them regularly with your peer coach
If you have any questions about the peer coaching program or would like to connect with a peer coach, please email amccoaching@csun.edu.
Peer Coaches are successful continuing students that serve as helpful guides in your college experience. Peer Coaches can help you develop skills for student success, connect with campus resources and find opportunities for involvement/professional development in your area(s) of interest.
Academic Advisors are full-time professional staff members that work to help students successfully plan and navigate the completion of graduation requirements for their specific major throughout their academic journey at CSUN. Students will meet with their academic advisor to plan courses for future semesters, discuss how to fulfill certain requirements for your academic major(s) and/or minor and help you determine your path to graduation.
View more information on academic advising for Mike Curb College students here.
Yes! All Mike Curb College students are invited to participate in peer coaching program-related events at any point in their CSUN journey.
Follow us on Instagram @csunpeercoaches and be sure to check your CSUN email regularly for helpful insights from Mike Curb College peer coaches.
Visit the Peer coaching Website and select “Apply to Be a Peer Coach.” Once you complete the form, the program supervisor will review your application.
*Please note that all peer coach positions are currently filled for the fall 2024 semester. We do encourage students to submit an application at any point throughout the academic year for review so that the program supervisor can contact you when a position arises in a future semester.