Academic Skills Peer Coaching
Will set you up for success by:
Working with students one-on-one to help them develop and hone the skills needed to succeed in college and beyond.
Academic Skills Peer Coaching
Peer coaches are here to help undergraduate and CAPS students get and stay organized, develop a study routine, learn about evidence-based study strategies, communicate with instructors, manage test anxiety, and more!
Peer Coaching is currently on hiatus for the summer; our Bookings page is inactive.
You will be prompted to log into your WashU Outlook account to access our Bookings page. All Coaches are available for video appointments; in person appointments, if available, will take place in or near the Learning Center’s office in the lower level of the Mallinckrodt Center. Peer Coaching appointments must be scheduled in advance; there are no drop-in hours at this time. Same-day appointments may be available. Please note that the scheduler displays all times in your local time zone.
Fall 2026 hours will be posted on this page and added to the Bookings page starting around August 28. In the meantime, the page is accessible to our community, but there are no available appointments.
** Bu, Derek, Grace, Quintrel, Rebecca, Violet, and Zubeiru are the Learning Center’s Graduate Fellows. They are available to work with students at both the undergraduate and graduate level, including CAPS students. Most coaching sessions with Grad Fellows will take place virtually, via Microsoft Teams.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to read more about your Peer Coaches!
Other Academic Skills Resources
In addition to Academic Skills Peer Coaching, the Learning Center offers robust services to help undergraduate students achieve their academic goals. The resources/services featured on this page can help you achieve specific goals and complement your participation in our other Academic Programs. We provide support for a variety of academic skills, including:
- Study strategies
- Time management and productivity
- Note-taking
- Avoiding procrastination and increasing persistence
- Collaboration
- Managing test anxiety
- Approaching instructors (and other course-related resources) and utilizing office hours effectively
Academic Skills Self-Assessment
The Academic Skills Assessment can help you identify your strengths and opportunities for growth. This survey should take you less than 10 minutes to complete, and you can take it as many times as you’d like in order to track your progress throughout your college career.
Your results, which you will receive via email after completing the survey, are confidential and are intended for your own personal reference, though you can also choose to forward them to an Academic Skills Peer Coach or Learning Center staff member prior to meeting with them.
Online Resource Library
Our academic skills resource library includes videos, worksheets, apps, and more! You can filter by specific academic skills (study strategies, time management, etc.) or browse the entire collection.
Meet with a Learning Center Staff Member
Learning Center staff are also available to meet one-on-one with CAPS students and answer questions about academic skills resources. Email learningcenter@wustl.edu to set up an appointment with a staff member.
Visit the Writing Center
The Learning Center does not offer any dedicated support for writing. You can visit our campus partner The Writing Center for all your writing support needs!
Meet Your Peer Coaches
- Hana Amirdash
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Hello! My name is Hana Amirdash (she/her), and I am a sophomore double majoring in Global Studies and Organization and Strategic Management, with a minor in French. On campus I am involved in the Global Research and Consulting Group, WashU International Relations Council, and Delta Sigma Pi (DSP). I am also an active member of the Equestrian team. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time in nature, playing with my cat, and getting a sweet treat. I am passionate about helping others succeed and would love to help you strengthen your studying, time management, and organizational skills! I look forward to meeting you!
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Harlem Taylor
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Howdy! I’m Harlem Taylor (he/him) and I am a senior interested in economics, statistics, and marketing. I am from Little Rock, AR and I’m a Danforth Scholar at WashU. On campus, I’m closely involved with Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource center, both as a peer counselor and an outreach chair. I enjoy playing soccer and volleyball and making fun videos. I’m excited to hear your experiences and share my own as your Peer Coach!
I can help you get organized and develop best academic practices to succeed in any program or course, and I am especially familiar with foundational math and business courses.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Jacob Mathew
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Hi! I’m Jacob Mathew (he/him) and I’m in the Business and Computer Science program at WashU. I’m originally from Austin, TX, and in my free time you can usually find me running at the rec or exploring Forest Park. On campus, I’m part of the McKelvey Fellowship and Olin Business Council.
I decided to become a Peer Coach because I am passionate about fostering lifelong learning, understanding instructor’s pedagogy, and teaching peers that they may need different study techniques for different types of classes. My goal is to help you develop the skills to succeed in your current courses and beyond.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Jennifer Hong
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Hi! My name is Jennifer Hong (she/her). I am a chemistry major and I love pickles! I decided to become a peer coach because the support I received during my first year was so impactful. Time management, test stress, mental blocks, study strategies, and navigating the transition to college rigor are some of the skills I’d love to help with as a coach.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Kimberly Kimani
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Jambo! I’m Kimberly Kimani (she/her), and I am a junior double majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Political Science while minoring in Entrepreneurship. I am from St. Louis, MO, the 314. I am a Danforth and TRIO Scholar. Here on campus I’m involved in quite a few organizations and activities, a few are Uncle Joe’s, SU Treasury, Association of Black Students, African Student Association, and I’m a WUSA! I enjoy filling up my camera roll and phone storage with plenty of pictures and videos, watching anime, and adding to my sneaker collection.
I’m excited to be a Peer Coach because of the opportunity this position gives me to help you the same way I too received help. I look forward to helping you discover the little things that could be monumental to your success!
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Natalia Barajas
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Hi! I’m Natalia Barajas (she/her), a senior at WashU studying Finance and Economics & Strategy. I’m originally from Chicago, IL, and in my free time you can usually find me at the rec doing Zumba or exploring new coffee shops around the city. On campus, I serve as President of Redefine Her Street and Head of Recruitment for Olin Peer Ambassadors.
I’m excited to share strategies for staying organized, managing time and stress, and making the most of your academic and professional experiences, as well as my favorite notion templates to stay organized! I can also offer insight into finance roles, the recruitment process, and navigating the full-time job search.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Olivia Petlak
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Hi! My name is Olivia Petlak, and I am excited to be an Academic Skills Peer Coach! I am a sophomore studying Political Science and Psychology. You can usually find me planning out my week on Google Calendar and finding ways to make everything fit together! I love staying organized and am excited to share the strategies that have helped me make academics feel more manageable and enjoyable. As a Peer Coach, I am here to hep you find a system that works for you and support you as you work toward your academic goals. I cannot wait to meet you!
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Oscar Zhu
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Hi, my name is Oscar Zhu (he/him), and I’m majoring in mathematics and financial engineering. I’m from Shanghai, China, and I’m also a bear ambassador at WashU. I enjoy hiking, golf, and playing guitar. One fun fact about me is I love my cat (not the one in the picture). I joined the Academic Skills Peer Coaching team because I believe the right support can make a meaningful difference. I hope to help students find study strategies that work for them, feel more confident in their abilities, and approach academic challenges with greater clarity and ease.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Tanisha Paul
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Hello! My name is Tanisha Paul (she/her). I am a senior studying Biology with minors in both WGSS (Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) and Medical Humanities. In my downtime, you can find me dancing in the studio with WashU Bhangra, at the gym, or at a coffee shop on the Loop. I am excited to help provide tailored support, encourage organizational skills, and meet you where you are on your academic journey. I am especially familiar with both pre-health classes and humanities (writing-heavy) courses.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Bu Meh (Graduate Fellow)
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Hello everyone! My name is Bu Meh (she/her), and I am a second-year Master of Public Health student at WashU’s Bursky School of Public Health as a Generalist concentrator. I recently graduated from WashU with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, focusing on Global Health and Environment.
As an MPH student, I am particularly interested in the intersections of health policy, environmental health, and global health. During my undergraduate years, I was a Taylor Scholar for four years. I also worked as an Anthropology research assistant for three years. Both experiences that strengthened my passion for mentorship, research, and community engagement.
In my free time, you can find me FaceTiming my nephews, taking long nature walks, or cooking homemade Thai cuisine. I am excited to serve as a Peer Coach because this role allows me to support fellow students, just as others have supported me throughout my own journey. I am especially passionate about helping students navigate the transition to college, supporting first-generation students, and providing academic and professional mentorship.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Derek Simon (Graduate Fellow)
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Hi! My name is Derek Simon (he/they), and I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences. My research revolves around the dynamic and variable nature of personality. In daily life, we rarely act the same from situation to situation, and I study the reasons why our behavior continuously changes. Outside of research, I enjoy spending time outside, playing video games, and listening to my favorite music. I am also very passionate about teaching and the learning process, which is why I am thrilled to be joining The Learning Center as a Graduate Fellow to support you in achieving your academic goals! We are all here to help.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Quintrel Brown (Graduate Fellow)
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Quintrel is a Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and community builder from St. Louis who brings over 15 years of leadership experience to his role as a Grad Fellow. Before pursuing his MBA through the Olin Business School, he co-founded Kre8 Spaces, LLC, a multimedia creative incubator in downtown St. Louis that has supported 25,000+ professionals and generated over $500,000 for the local creative economy. He also holds a BA in Cinema Art and Science from Columbia College Chicago.
Quintrel became a Grad Fellow because he believes that access to guidance and mentorship can change the entire trajectory of someone’s life, a belief he has built his career around. He knows firsthand that talent is everywhere, but support structures aren’t, and he wants to be part of closing that gap right here at WashU.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
- Zubeiru Mahama (Graduate Fellow)
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Hello! My name is Zubeiru Mahama (he/him), and I am a PhD student in the Department of Education. I am also a McDonnell International Academy Scholar. My research investigates attention and retention in learning environments, with a particular focus on how students engage with and remember lecture materials. More broadly, I investigate the challenges posed by distractions such as multitasking and mind-wandering, as well as the benefits of strategies like note-taking and retrieval practice. I am passionate about bridging cognitive science and educational practice to design more effective and engaging learning experiences. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing soccer and relaxing with video games. I look forward to connecting and supporting you in reaching your academic goals.
Fall 2026 coaching hours: TBD
