The College of Chemistry Undergraduate Peer Advising program provides undergraduates with advising regarding the various academic programs and classes in the College. This advising gives a wealth of information that complements the advice offered by the Undergraduate Affairs Office Staff Advisers.
Indeed, Peer Advisers use their personal experience to provide informal mentoring about several topics including:
- Selecting courses
- Designing balanced workload
- Other academic opportunities at Berkeley
- Research
- Overall academic plan
You can find the Peer Advisers stationed in 121 Gilman Hall. The peak times students visit Peer Advisers are usually during orientation, the first weeks of each semester, and Course Enrollment Period, but the advisers hold office hours during the entire semester (usually beginning in the second week of classes). If you cannot come to peer advising office hours, feel free to email your questions to: cocpeeradviser@berkeley.edu
You may also find helpful advice in the peer adviser blog. The blog features anecdotes and thoughts written by peer advisers on their academic experiences.
How to become a Peer Adviser
Peer Advisers provide in-person academic advising and mentoring, as well as online support on a variety of undergraduate concerns via email and blogging. Peer Advisers team with the College Academic Staff Advisers participating in outreach events, major fairs, study abroad fairs and other campus events pertinent to the undergraduate experience. The biggest time commitment for Peer Advisers comes largely during the course registration periods when students have many questions and concerns about course expectations.
Undergraduate junior and senior level students in the College of Chemistry may apply to be a Peer Adviser via their College of Chemistry Staff Adviser and receive 1-2 units of independent study credit for their service per semester.