CLSS Peer Mentor Appointments

Unlock Your Academic Potential with Peer Mentors

Peer Mentors are your friendly, knowledgeable guides to academic success at U of T. As fellow students, they understand the unique challenges you face and are excited to share the insider tips and strategies they wish they’d known from the start. From learning study techniques and staying motivated to navigating campus services, Peer Mentors are eager to help you succeed on your own terms.

Book an Appointment

CLSS Peer Mentors Can Help You:

  • Learn how to study for exams.
  • Be effective at note taking.
  • Learn techniques to write tests and assignments.
  • Stay motivated and overcome procrastination.
  • Set and achieve goals.
  • Manage your schedule.
  • Access various U of T services and supports.
  • And more…
Choose a Peer Mentor and book an appointment.

Book an appointment with a CLSS Peer Mentor

  • Browse our list of experienced U of T students to find your ideal Peer Mentor and book an appointment through Folio.
  • Check available slots up to ten workdays ahead, with appointments offered regularly via Zoom.
  • CLSS Peer Mentor appointments are open to all UTSG (St. George) undergraduate and graduate students.

If you’re having trouble booking an appointment through Folio, no worries! Just give us a call at 416-978-7970, send us an email at clss@utoronto.ca, or use our online chat tool on the Centre for Learning Strategy Support home page, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.

If you choose to email us, please include:

  • Your name
  • Student number
  • Level and program of study
  • Your available times
  • The reason for your appointment.

This way, we can make sure to set up the best possible meeting for you.

CLSS Peer Mentors

Anneke Huisman

Anneke Huisman

4th year, Undergraduate

Book an appointment with Anneke

As an alumna of the Academic Bridging Program, Anneke understands that the path through education often doesn’t follow a straight line and that people attending university have a variety of unique experiences and needs. Anneke found the services offered through CLSS invaluable and is eager to give back to the university community. She loves helping other students and believes supporting each other creates a happier, healthier space for everyone.

Program of Study:
Archaeology and Digital Humanities

Interest(s):
Textile crafts, container gardening, and card, board, and video games

Asmi Khanna

4th year, Undergraduate

Book an appointment with Asmi

Asmi is a fourth-year undergraduate student with aspirations for medical school. In her second term as a CLSS peer mentor, she is eager to support her peers as they make the most of university life. Her passion for biomedical research, particularly in brain and mental health, has shaped much of her undergraduate journey and strengthened her appreciation for the role of wellness in academic success. Having learned to manage a demanding schedule, build strong study habits, and use campus resources, she hopes to share her experiences and encourage others to balance learning with well-being.

Program of Study:
Neuroscience Specialist and Cell & Molecular Biology Major

Faisal Alnaji

4th year, Undergraduate

Book an appointment with Faisal

Faisal Alnaji is a fourth-year student currently on the pre-med track with hopes of going into medicine next year. It’s his second year working with the CLSS team as a peer mentor to help others transition and succeed in university. Having put immense pressure on himself to succeed in his first few years at university, he’s developed many study habits and been exposed to several resources offered by the University that have supported him throughout his studies. He hopes to draw from these experiences to help ease the transition into university for any current or incoming students and encourage them to seek out the many of the resources available.

Program of Study:
Fundamental Genetics and Its Applications Major, Minor in Immunology and Physiology

Interest(s):
Volleyball, biotechnology, food (big foodie)

Maple Xiang

1st year PhD, Graduate

Book an appointment with Maple

Maple (they/she) is an incoming PhD student in the Adult Education and Community Development program at the University of Toronto, where they have also completed their Master of Education. Having navigated through various challenges during their studies, such as pivoting fields from the life sciences, Maple understands that everyone’s learning needs and educational pathways are diverse. They hope to use their experiences, including discussions around “failure,” to support other students in a welcoming, collaborative learning environment.

Program of Study:
Adult Education and Community Development

Interest(s):
Creative writing, reading, music, video games, hiking, and learning new things.

Mecca Hussein

1st year, Graduate

Book an appointment with Mecca

Mecca (she/her) is a first-year Master of Arts student in the Higher Education program at OISE. As a first-generation student, she understands the challenges of navigating U of T and postsecondary education. Driven by a commitment to mentorship, Mecca is excited to serve as a CLSS Peer Mentor and looks forward to supporting students at all stages of their academic journeys.

Program of Study:
Higher Education

Interest(s):
Reading, watching movies, taking long walks

Micah Tan

4th year, Undergraduate

Book an appointment with Micah

Micah (he/they) is a fourth year doing a double major in Biomedical Toxicology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Environmental Biology. As a former international student and new immigrant, he has used many on and off-campus resources to navigate university life and life in Canada. He wishes to help others find and use these resources through his role as a Peer Mentor. He hopes to pursue a career in academia after graduation.

Program of Study:
Biomedical Toxicology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Double Major, Environmental Biology Minor

Interests:
Nature, Gaming, Reading

Shayan Farzanegan

3rd year, Undergraduate

Book an appointment with Shayan

Shayan is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Specialist and a Neuroscience Major. With aspirations of becoming a physician, he has worked diligently to build a path that both follows and reflects both his interests and his character, navigating academic and personal challenges along the way. Through this journey, he has learned the value of focusing on what works for him, and he hopes to share those “wayfinding” strategies with his peers. As an English Language Learner and former international student, Shayan relates deeply to many of the additional obstacles a large group of his peers face. He brings this understanding and empathy into his peer-to-peer conversations.

Program of Study:
Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Specialist, Neuroscience Major

Interest(s):
Philosophy, cooking, cinema

Explore academic success at U of T

Two female students doing homework
CLSS Peer Mentor run workshops

CLSS Peer Mentors run multiple workshops every week to support you and all aspects of your academic success. Check out our Workshop Series for more details.

Understanding academic support roles at U of T:
Peer Mentor vs. Learning Strategist vs. Academic Advisor

Peer Mentor: A peer mentor is a current U of T student who acts as a guide to academic success, offering personalized tips, motivation, and insider knowledge.

Learning Strategist: Learning strategists are expert staff advisors who provide personalized, professional support tailored to boost your academic skills. They are available by appointment at the Centre for Learning Strategy Support or your home college, department or faculty.

Academic Advisor: An academic advisor is a trained professional with expertise in academic planning. They can help in formulating and/or adjusting your short-or long-term educational goals, including course selection, interpreting degree requirements, and understanding university regulations. Academic advisors are available through your faculty or college registrar.

Other resources to check out:

Study Hubs

Scheduled times for you to set and meet your studying goals

U of T Tutor Directory

A central resource for current University of Toronto students to find other students who are effective and trustworthy tutors

Academic Integrity

Learn about academic integrity and how it applies to every member of the University