Book an appointment with a peer mentor to get fast support with:
- reading and note-taking for tests, exams and assignments
- finding motivation and overcoming procrastination when working remotely
- setting and achieving goals
- making schedules to manage multiple aspects of your life and your academic expectations
- knowing and accessing the University’s services and supports
Learn about the CLSS peers by reading their bios under SERVICE STUDENT TEAM. They also run multiple workshops every week to support you and all aspects of your academic success. Check out our Workshop Series for more details.
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Service Eligibility
All undergraduate and graduate students
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Service Delivery
Appointments with peer mentors are usually available every day of the week via Microsoft Teams. Folio displays appointments up to ten work days in advance.
Find out how to book appointments and sign up for drop-in sessions under BOOKING & DOCUMENTATION.
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Service Student Team
Anneke Huisman
Role on Team: Peer Mentor and Study Hubs Coordinator
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 Academic Success 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.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Archaeology and Digital Humanities
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Knitting, sewing, and nalebinding (ask me about it!)
- Container gardening
- RPGs
Learn more about Anneke
Edwin Park
Role on Team: Peer Mentor
Each year, Edwin has felt more at home attending University of Toronto. By taking the position of a peer mentor for Academic Success, Edwin is excited to support his peers in their academic pursuits whilst helping them transition into university life. Edwin is currently working towards attending graduate school and would like to become a social worker in the future. Edwin’s favorite pastimes include listening to music, watching movies and rock climbing with his friends.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Criminology & Bioethics
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Rock climbing
- Music and movies
- Finding restaurants in Toronto
Learn more about Edwin
Izzy Slone
Pronouns: she/they
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator
Having amassed a range of professional and extracurricular experience in event planning and facilitation, Izzy is excited to bring their energy and passion for community development to the role as a Peer Facilitator. They are also passionate about the arts, social justice and building strong communities, all of which they hope to incorporate into their practice this year. This is their second year with the academic success team, and they are overjoyed to be back.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Critical Equity and Solidarity, Sociology and Indigenous Studies
Year of Study: 4th
Interest(s):
- Going to art galleries, dancing
- Reading bad shoujo manga
- Spending time with friends
Learn more about Izzy
Joe Romard
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator and Facilitation Coordinator
I’m a first year Master of Teaching student at OISE of U of T. I studied English Literature at Trent University, and took a year to live and work in Spain where I further cultivated my love for teaching. I have a passion for learning and working with people in social settings. I’m ecstatic about joining U of T’s Academic Success team to support students on their own journeys! “Enjoy every sandwich” – Warren Zevon.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Teaching
Year of Study: 1st
Interest(s):
- Being outside
- Tasting menus
- The Ottawa Senators
Learn more about Joe
Kai Selmes
Role on Team: Peer Mentor
This is Kai’s second year as a peer mentor. He has amassed many resources in his time at U of T and has learned how to make the most of his time while at the university. Kai is passionate about helping other students succeed and helping them avoid the mistakes he made. Kai has been through portions of his academic career when things did not go so well, and at a point, he had to withdraw from school. Kai’s strengths are in his resilience and his willingness to learn more and continuing to meet his goals. After many years he has learned that a failure is more of a gift than a detriment.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Political Science
Year of Study: 2nd
Interest(s):
- Fencing
- Pickling
- Fantasy novels
Learn more about Kai
Linda Ben
Role on Team: Peer Mentor
Linda is a second year Master of Social Work student and completed her undergraduate degree in Mental Health Studies at U of T Scarborough. She joined Academic Success team because she experienced how difficult it was transitioning to university and wants to help people be equipped with the necessary tools when tackling academic and mental health challenges. “Overcoming self-criticism is difficult when self-reflection is tied to academic achievement. As long as you try your best, you shouldn’t be upset with yourself, because you can’t do better than your best.”
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Social Work
Year of Study: 2nd
Interest(s):
- Playing volleyball
- Going to the gym
- Trying new foods!
Learn more about Linda
Maple Xiang
Role on Team: Peer Mentor and Mentorship Coordinator
Maple is a first year Master of Education student in Adult Education and Community Development at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Environmental Biology specialization and a Psychology minor. Maple is passionate about helping students to succeed and creating positive social change through education, so she found the Academic Success Peer Team to be the perfect fit!
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Education
Year of Study: 1st
Interest(s):
- Listening to CDs (mainly K-Pop)
- Playing video games
- Learning more about coffee, food, plants, and other random topics!
Learn more about Maple
Marianne Rouleau-Tang
Role on Team: Peer Mentor
Marianne is a fourth year student Specializing in Psychology at U of T. She joined the Academic Success Peer Mentor team in 2022 because she is passionate about helping her fellow peers achieve their academic goals and wants to make a positive impact on their academic journeys. During her first year, she found it challenging to navigate university resources and has made it her mission to ensure that other students don’t face the same obstacles she did. Through her involvement with the mentor program, she aims to create a supportive academic environment for everyone on campus.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Psychology
Year of Study: 4th
Interest(s):
- Playing the saxophone
- Volunteering for NBS’s adaptive dance program
Learn more about Marianne
Megan Dean
Role on Team: Peer Mentor and UT3 Coordinator
Since starting, Megan has found U of T to be welcoming and inclusive. Previously she majored in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology at McMaster University. Megan joined the Academic Success Peer Mentor team because she was previously involved with McMaster’s Student Success Centre where she helped students develop their academic skills and facilitated virtual study sessions. She hopes to continue to support students in meeting their academic and personal goals. Megan’s go-to resources from U of T are the Harnessing Habits tip sheet and productivity sessions.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Year of Study: 2nd
Interest(s):
- Going to fitness classes
- Crocheting, cross-stitching and sewing, specifically dino stuffed animals!
Learn more about Megan
Sarah Graham-Shaughnessy
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator
Sarah, lover of fantasy novels and the video game Genshin Impact, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Classics (Literature Stream) at U of T, funded by the CGS-D, while also serving as a course instructor. Exploring the way people tell stories across time is the theme underlying her academic career; in pursuit of this aim, she earned her B.A. (with distinction) from The University of Western Ontario with a double major in The School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities (SASAH) and English Language and Literature (gold medal recipient), along with a minor in Classical Studies.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Classics (Literature Stream)
Year of Study: Ph.D.
Learn more about Sarah
Shane Joy
Role on Team: Peer Mentor
Shane is a fourth year student Specializing in History, Majoring in International relations, and Minoring in Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations at U of T. His university experience was considerably improved by the welcoming and passionate community he found at Victoria College, and his realization that there are so many ways to get involved in campus life! Shane joined the Academic Success Peer Mentor team because he believes it allows him to act as a wayfinder for others, utilizing his knowledge of the available strategies and supports at U of T to help them along their way.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: History, International Relations and Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations
Year of Study: 4th
Interest(s):
- Getting involved on campus
- Reading non-fiction
Learn more about Shane
Vivien Zhang
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator
Vivien is passionate about helping students ease their transition from high school to university. Going into first year was daunting for Vivien who, as a prospective law school student, put pressure on herself to do well in her courses. Now, she wishes to help others adjust to the new environment and find their place here. She currently writes for The Varsity and volunteers with Youth Challenge International to create community-based solutions to climate change.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Economics, Psychology & Music History and Culture
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Listening and playing music
- Binging Netflix
Learn more about Vivien
Zane Silk
Role on Team: Peer Mentor
Having struggled at making the transition from high school to university, Zane is passionate about helping fellow students tackle academic challenges head-on. As both a mature student and a student with disabilities, Zane has a unique perspective that helps him connect with students from diverse backgrounds. U of T is the third university he has attended, and hopefully his last (for undergrad, at least). A life-long Torontonian, Zane cares deeply about making the city more livable and equitable for all its residents.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Urban Studies, History and Geography
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Listening to podcasts and music
- Swimming
- Exploring Toronto by bike
Learn more about Zane
Zoha Mahroof
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator
Zoha is a fourth year student double majoring in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies and Political Science. She is passionate about public policy, social justice, and helping vulnerable communities. Zoha is currently involved with various on-campus organizations including UTSPP, FERA, and Cams Kids, and off-campus programs like BBBST. In this role, Zoha will be delivering and assessing a curriculum of academic skills workshops to ensure that students are met with the support they need for their development. As a new member, Zoha is excited to bring her leadership skills as a facilitator.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, Political Science
Year of Study: 4th
Interest(s):
- Spending time with family and friends
- Trying new food
Learn more about Zoha
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Booking & Documentation
To book an appointment with a peer mentor, log into Folio.
If you are unable to book an appointment online via Folio, please call 416-978-7970, email clss@utoronto.ca or use our online chat tool on the Centre for Learning Strategy Support department page (available Monday – Friday from 9:30 – 12 p.m. and 2 – 4 p.m.) to request help.
In your email, please include your name, student number, level and program of study, the times you are available to meet and the reason for your appointment so we can make the best arrangements possible.